Monday, 26 December 2011
STL Northern League Division 1
RCA continue to struggle at home with another below par performance in very windy conditions. It has to be said that South Shields adapted to the conditions better than RCA and in the end probably deserved to win although the story could have been a lot different if the referee hadn't turned down a cast iron penalty call a minute before South Shields opened the scoring. (Where was Howard Webb when we needed him?)
RCA were forced to make a number of changes to the team, Jones was replaced at right back by Oates, Beasley came in to central defence and Cuthbertson returned after injury in the heart of midfield.
In the opening five minutes of the game RCA were unlucky not to be 2 - 0 up as Walton cut inside before unleashing a shot which went narrowly wide. A minute later Jennings slipped the ball to Walton inside the area, but Cunningham in the Shields goal was aware to the danger smothering the ball at the winger's feet.
Shields started to dominate possession and a through ball from Fitzpatrick found the lively Morrin on the edge of the box; his on target shot was excellently saved by Atkinson. Two minutes later Shields were awarded a freekick some 20 yards out. Wightman lined up the shot, but curled his shot well wide. Wightman was at the centre of Shields next attack utilising his long throw to cause panic in the RCA defence who could only clear the ball back to the striker, but he fired wide.
In the 19th minute Close combined with Cuthbertson to get the ball wide to Owens who cut inside only to be brought down by Fraser, it looked inside the area, but despite the RCA protests the referee awarded a freekick outside the box. The freekick was fired into the wall by Davison and eventually into the arms of Cunningham. Cunningham quickly sent the ball to Smith who found Morrin with an inch perfect pass and the Shields winger crossed into the box for Wightman to finish off the move sliding the ball past the despairing dive of Atkinson.
Shields continued to take the game to RCA and Colvin was unlucky with a cross shot which flashed past the far post. RCA, tried to develop their play keeping the ball but it was difficult in the windy conditions and more often than not attacks were being broken up in midfield. Both Owens and Walton had great crosses into the box but Davison and Jennings were unable to connect and the Shields defenders cleared up.
In the 36th minute RCA should have equalised when Walton found Oates inside the area his cross was fired goalwards by Davison bringing a superb reflex save from Cunningham. The ball fell to Oates inside the six yard box, the RCA defender, instead of shooting, decided to pass the ball to Jennings who mishit his shot and the ball was cleared off the line.
Shields finished the half on top as RCA defended valiantly to keep the score to 1 - 0 at half time. Morrin and Wightman both had chances to increase the scoring but Atkinson did well to push the ball for corners on both occasions.
RCA took the game to Shields at the start of the second half and it took some outstanding defending to keep them at bay. As first Walton set up Cuthbertson 15 yards out, but the midfielders shot went wide. RCA forced a number of corners. McGuinness found Jennings with the first, but he headed over. Then a long corner to the far post was headed into the side netting by Oates.
The longer the half went without an RCA equaliser the more frustrated they became and Shields were always likely to make things difficult on the break.
In the 64th minute Shields went further ahead when they were they were awarded a freekick on the halfway line, the ball was floated to the far post and Fraser slotted home from close range. RCA once again picked themselves up and tried to get back into the game putting Shields defence under constant pressure but they were unable to breach the resolute defending of Scope and Fraser. RCA substitute, Shields almost scored with his first touch of the ball but his shot took a wicked deflection and went for a corner.
In the 87th minute Cuthbertson gave RCA a lifeline when he fired in from 20 yards after a goalmouth scramble. For all their huff and puff RCA did not create another clear cut chance and it was at the other end that Barclay missed a great chance to make it 3 - 1, but he fired wide.
Shields new management team of King, Picton and Di-Lella seem to have worked a bit of magic with the Seasiders and they have them defending very well. RCA will go back to the drawing board and look forward to the next match.