Saturday, 10 December 2011
STL Northern League Division 1
RCA forward Andy Jennings opens the scoring in the first half of the match.
Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.
RCA entertained Billingham Synthonia at Meadow Park this afternoon and were looking to maintain their push for a top six place. The management team were again forced to change a winning team by bringing in youngster Liam Dunn to replace Steven Jones at right back. After their mid-week success at Bedlington, RCA were sitting on top the the pile and everyone in the league will be looking to shoot them down; Synners were no exeption and anyone who thought this was going to be an easy game were to be sadly mistaken.
As early as the second minute, RCA had a chance when Cuthbertson played the ball foeward to Benjamin and his shot was well saved by Synners’ keeper Moody, who got a hand to the ball and then reacted to smother it under pressure from Jennings. Synners found their feet and a cross into the box by Gardner was saved at the feet of Dalton, who was spoken to by the referee for his follow through, the ex-RCA man was then booked a few minutes later for an innocuous challenge.
RCA opened the scoring in the 10th minute when a ball to the edge of the area from Walton saw Jennings beat Moody to the ball and the RCA striker was on hand, as the ball bounced free, to stroke it home into an empty net.
Synners’ regrouped and almost immediately a right wing cross from Earl caused problems in the RCA defence. Oates headed clear, but the ball fell to McWilliams who crossed into the area, but Dalton could only head wide of the target.
A good move between Close and Cuthbertson saw the ball played to Jennings and his shot was acrobatically saved by Moody and although the rebound was heading goalwards he was able to recover and complete the save. Synners’ tried to up their game and a move between McWilliams, Earl and Blyth resulted in the striker firing in a low drive which was destined for the bottom corner until Atkinson, scrambling across his goal line, managed to get a hand on the ball and turn it round the post for a corner. From the corner the ball fell to Gardner, but his shot which deflected wide by Cuthbertson who was injured in the process and had to be replaced by Shields. RCA were forced to rearrange their midfield and it seemed to have the desired effect as Walton in the centre of midfield found Jennings on the left wing his first time ball to Benjamin was supurb and then Benjamin passed to Owens who was bearing down on goal from the right wing but the usually reliable winger fired wide.
On the half hour mark, RCA once again broke down the left and this time a well delivered ball to the left side of the area was headed into the path of Owens who again found himself in space and had time to pick his spot as he fired into the corner of the net.
RCA were looking to extend their lead as half time approached and Alex Benjamin had a couple of chances, firstly firing over in the 36th minute and then forcing a wonderful reaction save from Moody before lobbing the rebound onto the roof of the net. Synners responded well with McWilliams picking out Earl inside the area but again Atkinson saved at the strikers feet.
RCA could not believe that they did not score a third goal when McGuinness drifted a corner to far post. Jennings headed the ball back across the face of goal, the ball struck Benjamin on the back of the leg and the Synners defence were able to clear. The half finished with a Gardner cross from the right to Earl, but he was unable to get a good connection on the header which went over the bar.
The second period opened in explosive fashion as Walton threaded a ball through to Benjamin, who controlled it and appeared to have taken it round the keeper, however Moody somehow managed to get a fingertip to it and Horseman was able to clear. Within a minute a cross from Shields was headed clear by Wray with Jennings in close attendance.
Synners came back at RCA and in the minutes as lovely pass from Dalton found Blyth inside the area, but McGuinness was able to clear the danger. Then a defensive mistake let in Blyth again and this time the striker hit the side netting with a snap shot from 10 yards out.
RCA were building up pressure on the Synners defence, a succession of corners needed to be well defended as RCA threw bodies into the box looking for the goal that would secure the game, but the Synners defence stood firm, with both Wray and Hillerby outstanding.
Synners came forward searching for a goal, but when they got past the defenders they came up against Atkinson who was in top form. Gardner had one effort charged down. Benjamin had another effort in the 70th minute when he latched onto a defensive clearance before trying to chip Moody, but his effort went agonisingly wide of the upright.
Synners’ threatened again in the 80th minute, but again Atkinson was left untroubled as Liddle sent Earl through, but his shot was easily saved by the keeper. Then a Dkiouak ball in from the right saw the ball cleared with Earl bearing down on goal.
RCA, who had utilised the height of Jennings to great effect all afternoon, once again employed this method and the big striker forced a corner. McGuinness fired in the near post cross and Close got a head to the ball but it cannoned off Horsman for another corner, this time Jennings rose well to head down, but the ball lacked power and Wray was able to clear up field.
The last chance of the game came to RCA when Jennings, receiving the ball with his back to goal, turned and fired in a shot which was deflected wide for a corner. The corner was partially cleared to Jennings on the edge of the box, but he fired well wide of the goal.
A very entertaining and competitive match, played in the right spirit and RCA earned another three points with their philosophy of hard work and team work reaping dividends.
The opposition's view: click here for the match report on the Billingham Synthonia web site.