Saturday, 14 April 2012
STL Northern League Division 1
Scorers: SRCA: Davison (19) (59) James (34), Bedlington: Morton (18)
Click here for match photos from Bedlington Terriers' Michael Boyle.
RCA went back to the top of the first division with this win against a strong Bedlington side.
After three successive defeats the manager made changes to the starting line up with James replacing Beasley in the centre of defence, Close recovered from a thigh strain took over from Davies and Jennings was reunited with strike partner Davison in preference to Jardine.
Any supporters who thought that this would be just another end of season affair between two teams with nothing to play far were in for a pleasant surprise as both teams served up an entertaining if somewhat controversial match.
An all too familiar pattern emerged at the start of this match with RCA once again being denied in the final third by good defending, poor shooting or brilliant saves. So it was in the fifth minute when Walton crossed to the far post for Jennings, but the striker was dispossessed in the six yard box. From the clearance by Harrison the ball was well controlled by Stewart who jinxed to the right then to the left before unleashing a shot which Atkinson did well to save.
A cracking move in the seventh minute should have been rewarded with the opening goal. Jennings won the ball in midfield and gave it to Close who crossed the ball into Davidson who in turn chested the ball into the path of the advancing Walton. His terrific shot was heading for the bottom corner when Pickering stuck out his left hand and gathered in a truly breathtaking save.
Stewart was beginning to be a thorn in the RCA defences side as he and Shandran linked up well to create an opening but Stewart’s final shot was straight at Atkinson. The game was flowing now and a quick break by RCA saw Close feed the ball to Jones who crossed first time into the area where Davison making great strides to get into the box could only steer his header wide. From the goal kick Bedlington set up their next attack when Oates won the header the ball fell to Harrison who was allowed to carry the ball 20 yards before delivering a dangerous cross into the box which was only inches away from the outstretched foot of Shandran.
A minute later and Bedlington took the lead when Blackstone won the ball and fed Stewart on the left wing; the Bedlington striker did well to get in a great cross which beat both Atkinson and McGuinness and fell invitingly for Morton who headed home from three yards out.
RCA were level within a minute when Close dispossessed Convery just inside the Bedlington half and raced forward before passing the ball to Davison who made no mistake from 12 yards, steering the ball past the despairing dive of Pickering.
The impetus this equaliser gave RCA was immediately evident, the belief returned and everyone seemed to lift their game by 10%. A corner in the 22nd minute was taken by Walton and flicked on by Jennings to McGuinness at the far post, but his header went straight into the arms of Pickering. Then came a good move involving almost the whole team. James won the ball and passed to Paxton, he spotted Jones’ forward run and played the ball into his path, the RCA defender squared the ball to Davison who slipped the ball to Walton inside the area, he cut the ball back into the path of Jennings, but his shot went over the bar.
Bedlington seemed unable to cope with RCA at this time and Close was running the midfield. Picking up a loose ball he slipped past two tackles before squaring the ball to Davison whose first time shot was dipping just under the bar until the untimely intervention of Picking who pulled of a tremendous save tipping the ball over.
RCA took the lead from the resulting corner. The cross from Walton was headed on by Jennings and punched clear by Pickering, but only as far as James on the edge of the box; the RCA defender took aim and fired in a sweetly struck shot through a crowd of players into the bottom corner of the net.
With the lead RCA did what infuriates supporters and they dropped off and allowed Bedlington a spell of play which could have lead to a quick reply when Shandran’s shot had to be saved by Atkinson only two minutes after taking the lead. Concentration restored RCA looked to take control of the game with some good passing movements and holding onto the ball, however the front two for Bedlington were still looking dangerous when they got the ball and Paxton McGuinness and James had to be at their best to contain them.
In a final flurry before the end Shandran had another shot saved by Atkinson.
RCA, kicking down the slope in the second half were quickly on the attack and where unlucky not to extend their lead when Davidson crossed into the area for Davison but he could only direct his header over the bar.
In the 52nd minute Bedlington had a great chance of levelling the game when Convery won the ball on the left wing before sending in a well weighted cross for Stewart, inexplicably the Bedlington striker stabbed the ball wide from five yards out. Five minutes later RCA extended their lead with an unusual goal. Walton raced down the right before sending in a lovely cross to Davison who powered in a header which was destined for the net only for it to hit fellow striker Andy Jennings on the back of the head, the ball was scrambled clear, but only as far as Close who burst past four defenders into the box before sending in a low cross which was collected by Davison with his back to goal. The RCA Striker turned quickly and curled the ball into the net.
All over you would think but both teams were having none of it. Both sides made changes and were still committed to attacking at every opportunity. Baptist went close with a snap shot and minute after coming on Jardine had a great chance to put the game to bed, a through ball from Close was flick over the keeper by Jardine and shaved the outside of the post.
The introduction of Berj was causing the Bedlington midfield problems with his tenacious appetite for the game.
In the 81st minute RCA should definitely have sealed the game when they were awarded a penalty when Jones was unceremoniously dragged to the ground by Snowdon. Jennings stepped up to the plate, but blasted the ball high over the bar a la Chris Waddle.
Bedlington were reduced to ten men when captain Bowey was dismissed for deliberately kicking out at Berj. There was little of not in the final six minutes with both teams having given their all in the previous 80 plus.
On the balance of play RCA deserved the points and will now finish the season no lower than fourth in the league a great achievement with the limited resources at our disposal.