Tuesday, 21 February 2012
STL Northern League Division 1
Only one change to the team that won on Saturday with Briggs coming in for the sidelined Cuthbertson who looks likely to be out for some time with a torn groin muscle.
Once again a really strong wind looked likely to cause major problems for the players, I can't remember a season when there has been so many games affected by the wind.
Marske took advantage of the strong wind in the first half and went on the offensive from the start pushing RCA back. A long range effort from McGill set the tempo for the half with Marske pushing forward and RCA defending and using a counter attacking policy.
Marske came close to opening the scoring when a long ball out of defence by Carling bounced kindly for Brunskill, but the striker could only steer his effort wide of the upright.
RCA withstood the early pressure and started to put some good passing moves together, McGuinness cutting in from the left slid the ball to Briggs who in turn passed the ball to Davison, but he shot over from ten yards out.
A promising move between Ormerod and McGill came to nothing as the final ball got swept away on the wind and Atkinson was able to pick up the pieces.
The game was becoming very scappy and chances were few and far between.
RCA’s best chance of the half came when Briggs swept the ball out to Walton whose cross was met by McGuinness at the far post and he laid the ball into the path of Shields who fired in a shot but Willey pulled off a miraculous save to keep the scores level.
Marske once again forced RCA back on the defensive but couldn’t find the finishing touch in the final third.
As the game entered the last five minutes of the half, RCA looked to be taking control of the game and looked quite comfortable.
The second half started explosively with Walton sprinting past the full back before swinging in a cross which looked to strike a Marske defender on the hand before being cleared; the penalty appeal was turned down.
Within five minutes RCA took the lead when again Walton got to the by line, this time his cross found its way to the back post where McGuinness was waiting and had the simplest of tap ins.
RCA were rampant now and wave upon wave of attacks were being repelled by a strong defensive partnership of Carling and Marron.
In the 75th minute RCA were awarded a penalty when Close was brought down in the process of shooting after being put through by Davison. Walton stepped up and sent Willey the wrong way with his spot kick.
Jennings, on for Shieldsm went close to making it 3-0 with a curling shot which went narrowly wide and Berj was guilty of an amazing miss when he was clear of the Marske defence but, possibly thinking he was offside, he hesitated and gave Willey the opportunity to save at his feet.
Marske finished the game on the attack trying to salvage something as RCA tired, but the visiting defence were never really troubled and were well worth the three points.