Sunderland RCA 4 Guisborough 0

skilltraining Northern League

Saturday, 18 October 2008

At 2:40pm there was a very welcoming atmosphere inside Meadow Park, both sides warming up in sunshine conditions, a few autumn leaves dropping from the cemetery side of the ground and a rainbow appearing in the distance - after Tuesday's bad luck against Marske, was this to be our lucky omen! When the players returned to the field for actual kick off though, a very swift change, as the rain and wind picked up strongly, so it was a good coin toss to win when captain Steve Halliday opted to kick against the conditions.

After a few exchanges of the ball between the teams and the customary early challenges in the midfield area, SRCA were the first to show with good passing interchanges between Goodwin and Halliday feeding Owens on the right who was looking to fire early crosses into the area. Jennings showed his early threat forcing defensive clearances before the first corner was won in the seventh minute. The same player did get a decent goalward header in, but this went safely wide of the goal.

Guisborough were hitting longer balls into the RCA half and Anth Laidler starting today as sweeper was heading back well. However this direct play nearly had success when Gary Shields playing at right back ran back to cover the central area, but underhit a back pass which Hoggeth in goal defended well against the strong number 10 Richard Storr, a further clearance giving the Boro their first corner. Hoggeth attempted to gather the deep cross at the back post, but this was pushed out and a scrambled clearance was pushed to the right, Owens raced forward, crossed quickly and Jennings fired in another header which was safely collected under the bar by Scott Allison in goal.

On the 25th minute after good interplay from all the RCA midfield the ball was pushed to Flynn who hit a cracking long pass to Jennings, heading down he found Goodwin who played in the overlapping Shields firing in a great effort which was well saved. The game was definitely opening up now with RCA also starting to find room down the left with full back Lee and McGuinness combining well, delivering a cross to Jennings who turned, but could not get full connection on his left peg and the shot was gathered.

In the 35th minute a further Guisborough long crossfield ball from the left found the right winger Mark James who nearly got past defenders ending up winning a corner. Another dangerous cross to the back post was forced away but Halliday quickly turned defence into attack when playing in Owens on the right. Feigning and dummying to go right again this time he cut inside and hit a tremendous 20 yard effort with his left foot into the top corner: 1 - 0 to the home team and very well deserved.

Guisborough responded by pushing more men forward and Onions and Storr were working hard to find an opening, winning a couple of corners after 40 minutes. The curling corners were hit into great spots at the back post, but were met by very good defending.

Half time: 1 - 0 and the positive signs were met with strong encouragement from home supporters.

Manager Neil Hixon was forced into change at half-time with Richard Flynn (who had played a lot of the first half feeling his hamstring) being replaced by Glenn Moan. The change did not affect the organised approach of SRCA who were pushing forward quickly playing football on the ground and finding early room. However although the approach play was good with some swift one-twos it was a surprise that the ball fell in the right area to Mark Davison and he wasted no time in slotting home the second on 49 minutes. 2 - 0 and the look on some of the faces of the Guisborough defenders said enough; this was going to be a very tough second half for them.

Although possession was dominated now by SRCA the home team were struggling to find a further break through and good opportunities were wasted. After corners were squandered, Lee Owens did find a lot of room on 60 minutes and when racing into the corner of the box he opted to cross when a shot might have been the best option. Although this split the defence the on-rushing forwards could not connect and the keeper was very pleased to see this fly past the back post. However Guisborough did not throw the towel in and pushed forward well in the 65th minute hitting successive goal bound efforts which Glenn Moan threw himself at to clear. Instead of this lifting the away side, SRCA upped the ante and pushed forward to kill the game off. Moan flushed by his good defensive work moved forward for the next RCA corner and nearly was the hero when connecting well, but sending a firm header over the bar.

McGuinness who had worked well as a left wing back today supplying three half chances for Jennings, was replaced by Michael Chapman on 65 minutes. David Tait also coming on a minute later for Davison. The Management were obviously keen for more goals and if these were not inspired changes then there is no such thing as inspiration.

After 75 minutes, first a left sided cross was hit into the Guisborough box and when this was half cleared substitute Chapman hit a 20 yard left foot cracker which flew in glancing off the inside of the post. 3 - 0 and game over! Guisborough were shell-shocked and this was evident as from kick off they immediately gave the ball way and now substitute Tait found himself in the clear racing through the defence and rounding the keeper to make it 4 - 0. Well the celebrations said it all and the management team of Hixon and Herd high-fiving each other as well !

The game nearly petered out with Jennings working to the end attempting to get the goal that his efforts deserved, but again he was thwarted by the keeper with two late efforts. However in the dying stages the Guisborough left back who had a torrid afternoon against Lee Owens decided to take his own free kick. Owens took exception to this and retaliated. Straight red and not even a caution for the full back. Well Lee, might have to see where the end of that rainbow is - he will need a pot of gold to pay the fine! Full time and very positive signs that the team is taking shape of the upward direction. Let's see on Tuesday when we are at home again in the cup. Don't back against the lads on this performance, Prudhoe will certainly have some defending to do!