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skilltraining Northern League
Saturday, 9 August 2008
Nothing like a good win to put a spring in your step!
The Forum has been pretty lively with differing views on Saturday's 4 - 0 win over Prudhoe Town. For those of us who were at this fixture last season, when we got beat 3 - 2, with our goals coming from a penalty and a bit of good fortune, this result and the performance will be taken as a mark of just how far - and that's very far - we have come under the leadership of Neil and George. In the first half we were dominant and in the second totally dominant. Granted: Prudhoe were not good and they were down to ten men shortly into the second half, but you can only play what's in front of you. This was a very solid and encouraging performance. We look like a well-balanced team. The frustration for everyone from RCA on Saturday was that we did not score more. It's not an exaggeration to say that we could have got into double-figures.
Quite a few of the squad will be disappointed not to have been selected. That's a mark of just how difficult selection is. We have a strong squad with competition for places running high.
Prudhoe kicked off and were quickly attacking down their right, forcing RCA wing back Adam McGuiness to clear. From the Prudhoe throw in the cross was held by Craig Shields for his first touch of the match.
On eight minutes new signing and captain, Keith Graydon, aka 'Rasher', had a shot blocked following good work on the right from Paul Taylor. Two minutes later and Rasher was in action again with a free kick into the box, but the referee blew against RCA. On 14 minutes, it was the captain again, this time putting in a cross to Andy Jennings, who headed on, only for Paul Taylor's shot to go wide. A minute later Andy Jennings was through on goal, but carried the ball too far. 'Pull the trigger Andy' was the shout from the back.
In between these RCA attacks the defence had looked reasonably solid. Glenn Moan in particular, who was at the centre of the three man defence, was getting in good headed clearances and showing strong leadership and organisation.
On 25 minutes Paul Sammons slid a great ball though to Paul Taylor to run through on goal. The ball was cleared in desperation and both Paul Taylor and the Prudhoe number 5 needed treatment following the clash.
In the 29th minute Prudhoe found it too easy to attack down their left and RCA keeper Craig Shields could only parry the shot for Adam McGuiness to clear.
Ryhope CW old boy Richie Jordan, who had a very good RCA debut, very nearly opened the scoring for RCA, but his shot from the right edge of the penalty area was pushed over for a corner, which the keeper gathered.
On 37 minutes Paul Taylor beat the keeper, but also the far post with this cross shot. Minutes later, he was through on the keeper only to be brought down just outside the area by a chasing Prudhoe defender. While no one likes to see a red card, this looked like a 'rules-is-rules' moment, but the referee held up a yellow. The free kick went just wide.
At half time it was 0 - 0. RCA frustration, Prudhoe relief.
There were no changes for the away side as RCA kicked off the second half playing into the wind. On 50 minutes RCA's domination was beginning to become evident. A good shot from Keith Graydon was turned around for a corner, which Prudhoe cleared for another corner from which Paul Taylor shot over.
On 55 minutes the big man broke the deadlock. Andy Jennings ran from the left to shoot strongly across the Prudhoe keeper to score in the far corner. A text book finish.
Two minutes later Paul Taylor put in a strong run and cross from the left which was cleared for yet another RCA corner. That was Paul's last action of the match as he was replaced by Gary Shields.
On 60 minutes Prudhoe went down to ten men following a second yellow card.
RCA were becoming more and more dominant. Prudhoe could not cope with Gary Shields' powerful, fast and incisive wing play down both flanks. Dynamic or what?
On 65 minutes the second of successive corners was turned in powerfully by defender Andrew Bowes from the edge of the six yard box.
It was nearly three-nil a minute later as an Andy Jennings header found the side netting. At this point Anth Laidler came on for Paul Sammons in central midfield.
On eighty minutes great work from Gary Shields put Keith Graydon in and he looked as though he must score. Desperate defending saw the ball beak to Andy Jennings, who made no mistake.
On 90 minutes it was four-nil. Andy Jennings ran through and, as the keeper came out, unselfishly passed to Keith Graydon who scored emphatically into an empty net. Well done Rasher, after all your efforts you deserved that one.
A good, solid start with a score line that's not at all flattering. It will no doubt be a stronger test against Hebburn, but there is no question that everyone will be up for it. See you there.