Sunderland RCA 0 Horden CW 5

skilltraining Northern League

Monday, 25 August 2008

It really has been a Jekyll and Hyde holiday weekend for Sunderland RCA. This was a horror story. All credit to Horden CW as they showed us how to play the game and why they are fancied to make a strong challenge for promotion this season.

The start of the match was not so bad, with RCA playing down the pitch and with a favourable strong cross wind. On two minutes Paul Sammons won a corner, which was cleared. Five minutes later and a good cross field ball from Keith Graydon put Paul Taylor through wide on the right, but his cross was cleared. On 11 minutes, Andy Rafferty, the very tall Horden keeper, fluffed a cross to concede a corner. On 18 minutes a ball out of the RCA defence to the left wing was collected brilliantly by Anth Laidler who ran through to cross strongly.

On 24 minutes Horden attacked down their left and were allowed to progress into the RCA area where the outstanding Ian Clark shot across the RCA keeper Craig Shields to make it 1 - 0.

On 31 minutes we handed Horden a further advantage when striker Paul Taylor saw a straight red for a two-footed tackle that connected painfully with a Horden player.

On 35 minutes an RCA free kick flew off the Horden wall for a corner, but this was cleared.

On 37 minutes a double save from Craig Shields stopped Horden going 2 - 0 up. Just before half time Stephen Thomas scored Horden's second after he was allowed far too much time and space in front of goal.

On 50 minutes a back pass from Steve Halliday played in the chasing Horden forward who shot wide of the inside post when a cross shot seemed the more sensible option. Horden did not have to wait long to go three up, with an excellent shot across the keeper and into the far corner by Darren Atkinson.

On 66 minutes Horden substitute Craig Hubbard made it four nil with a stunning shot from outside the area which flew past the RCA keeper. Five minutes later and Michael Ford went nap for Horden following poor defensive play.

The pain was not over for RCA as Wayne Henderson suffered an injury which meant he had to leave the field. For the last 10 minutes of the match RCA were down to nine men having already used their three substitutes. Keith Graydon moved to centre half.

In the ninetieth minute RCA were saved by the post from being knocked for six as the Horden forward was clear through.

Painful stuff, but the rude awakening we clearly needed.