Saturday, 26 November 2011
STL Northern League Division 1
RCA midfielder Andrew Cuthbertson wins the ball to mount another RCA attack.
Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.
A second half four goal blitz, including an Alex Benjamin hat-trick, gave RCA a well deserved victory against an organised and determined Norton & Stockton Ancients team. In a wind effected game RCA coped better with the conditons, defending well in the first half against the wind and utilising the wind to great effect in the second half.
The win maintains RCA's fifth place in Divison 1 and the second half performance gave the home supporters something to cheer about.
It seems to be normal now at Meadow Park for their to be a gale force wind howling straight down the pitch and in today's match against Norton and Stockton Ancients it was no different.
With a number of players unavailable for various reasons the Management team were forced to name three goalkeepers in the squad, I have no doubt that "Hoggy" would have played as an outfield player if required.
RCA started the game defending against both the wind and the slope and were soon under pressure when a long ball from Gott found Alexander, but his shot was blocked by Beasley. RCA were trying to play football and get their passing game together. Davison was unlucky not to get a foot on a wonderful cross from Walton, but the ball was cleared by Mowbray.
Norton and Stockton took the lead on nine minutes after a catalogue of errors in the RCA defence. First, McGuinness uncharacteristically gave the ball away to Magowan and the Norton striker's shot was superbly saved by Atkinson. Then a minute later a hopeful ball into the box looked to be easily dealt with by Oates, but his poor header fell straight to Magowan and this time, from 20 yards out he curled a shot out of reach of Atkinson and into the corner of the net. RCA tried to respond and Benjamin went close when he beat the offside trap only to see his cross shot go over the bar.
In the 20th minute Benjamin should have equalised when he ran onto a through ball from Walton and although his shot beat McDonald it also went wide of the target. The Ancients struck back with a shot from Mulligan which was deflected for a corner and from the kick Atkinson needed to be at his best to punch clear under pressure from Mowbray and Harbron.
As the half wore on Close and Cuthbertson started to get to grips with the midfield and a lovely ball from Cuthbertson fornd Walton on the right; his cross into the box was met by Davison, but his header went over the bar.
On the half hour mark the Ancients had a great chance to go 2-0 up when Furness made a 40 yard run which culminated in a great shot that was parried away by Atkinson. The ball ran free to Magowan who fired into a crowded area and the hand of Atkinson appeared from nowhere to turn the ball away from goal and Harbron following up blasted the ball over the bar.
As the half came to an end RCA were awarded a free kick on the angle of the area. Walton passed the ball to Davison who turned and laid the ball into the path of Benjamin, but he stabbed the ball wide of the goal with the goalkeeper stranded.
The second half was almost all one way traffic as RCA bombarded the Norton goal from the kick off. A Davison freekick in the 47th minute went narrowly over the bar. Five minutes later RCA won a corner which was taken by Owens, the cross saw Benjamin rise, unapposed at the near post, and head home from six yards out.
RCA went looking for more goals and a Cuthbertson effort from 30 yards was well saved by McDonald. The whole team were responding and Norton were struggling to cope with the pace and speed of passing especially from Close and Cuthbertson.
The only surprise was that the crowd had to wait until the 64th minute to see RCA take the lead, a ball into the area by Jones found Davison who returned the ball to Jones and he made no mistake from 12 yards out giving the keeper no chance.
It was RCA all the way with Norton being restricted to breakaways which looked to be easily dealt with by the RCA defence.
In the 75th minute the game was effectively over when a lovely passing move involving Cuthbertson, Walton, Davison and Jones saw the latter make a cross field pass of some 40 yards to pick out Benjamin who cut inside his marker before unleashing a tremendous drive which rocketed into the bottom corner of the net.
Two minutes later and Benjamin completed his hat trick when another cross from Jones found him unmarked inside the six yard box and he stabbed the ball home. His reward for a great afternoon's work was to be instantly replaced by Jennings.
RCA had opportunities to extend their lead but some good defending and goalkeeping kept the score at 4-1. Norton really only had one chance in the second half when Alexader raced clear of the rCA Defence but Atkinson was alert to the danger and came out of his area to kick the ball clear.
All in all a great result and a very good second half.