Under 18s - League
29 November 2008
The eagerly awaited local youth derby was in doubt early morning, but with a 1:30 PM kick off the strong sunshine had time to melt the surface frost and the referee Des Coulson passed the pitch fit without hesitation. Sunderland RCA buoyed by three successive cup victories were up for what was their first league fixture since 11 October. With both teams through to the semi-finals of the League Cup and a chance of a dream final against each other, all players were keen to show their mettle.
The game kicked off in lively fashion and it was no holds barred from either side. There were competitive tackles in all areas with both sides allowing little freedom to play football. Strong challenges resulted in physio attention for both teams with SRCA central defender Gamble suffering slight concussion from a well-won aerial challenge. Michael Charlton also received treatment for the home side and had to be replaced on 25 minutes.
In fact it wasn't until after 25 minutes that the home side found sufficient room up the left wing to create a half chance which keeper Ryan Graham kept out well at the near post to concede a corner. After the half hour though it was the visitors who were making clear progress and Robinson on the left side of midfield was supplying RCA's forwards Reynolds and Andrews with a lot of the ball. However due to the pitch having a crisp covering in areas the ball was generally running away to safety. On 30 minutes SRCA right full back Marc Moon overlapped and beat a couple of RCW players, but after all his hard work he cut into the box and lost his footing with only the keeper to beat. RCA ended the half the strongest winning successive corners, but both sides were lacking final penetration. HT: 0 - 0.
The second half commenced with RCA showing more rhythm, central midfielders Page and Bailey getting more passes and playing in wide men on both sides. Robinson from the left fired in two excellent crosses, which flew past on-running RCA forwards. Moon on the right also was creating opportunities, but again there was no end product. On 65 minutes though the breakthrough came when Page from inside the opposition half hit a free kick quickly out to the right and after a couple of attempts Moon fired in again and the onrushing defender could only deflect the ball into the net. After all the good play a goal was unexpected in this way but the celebrations by the RCA players showed they did not care how. Being ahead was what mattered. 1 - 0. The next ten minutes it was generally one way traffic with SRCA playing good football. After some good play Reynolds was put through the middle for RCA, racing on against the keeper he got his shot in, which went wide, but after colliding with the keeper the referee also gave a free kick. Could have been game over, but no and SRCA also wasted the free kick, which was hit over the bar.
However no further breakthrough meant that RCW lifted their game and quick passes from the back to middle found the centre forward who raced on to hit a powerful shot past the keeper. 1 -1 and game back on. However it was RCW who sat back again and it was no surprise when on 78 minutes page found Moon on the right who hit a searching 40 yard ball over the central defenders finding Lee Andrews who at the second attempt fired past the keeper from six yards. 2 - 1 to the visitors and real celebrations now.
In the last five minutes RCW threw everything forward, hitting the bar in the dying minutes - the rebound was pushed wide. However RCA chased the clock down holding the ball until the final minutes. Three points collected away from home, but it meant a lot more!
Team
Ryan Graham
Marc Moon
Liam Dunn
Anthony Ashman
Anthony Gamble
Jordan Hardy
Luke Page
Chris Bailey (capt)
Lee Andrews
Mathew Reynolds
Mark Robinson
Subs used
Damien Knight 70 mins for 10
Unused
Graeme Pickering (gk)
Billy Hedgeley (gk)
Mick Nicholson
Greg Bradley
Rhys Tench
Mick Jacob