Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Goalscorers: RCA Jardine (2) Barton Crook Town: Hodgson (pen)
RCA progressed to the next round of the Brooks Mileson League Cup with this 3 - 1 victory but the hosts can count themselves very unfortunate after giving a very good account of themselves, especially in the first half.
Changes were again made with the injury crisis worsening by the day, Beasley came in for Oates, Jardine for Guerin-Lokonga and Gary Shields started at right back.
Good news was that Appleby returns after a groin strain and Southern was available after suspension.
A good start was made by RCA as they pushed Crook back into their own half, however it was short lived as the home team upped their game.
In the 2minute a free kick taken by Hudson was headed down by Hall and cleared by Maddison, bird picked up the ball on the half way line and sped past a static RCA defence before shooting into the side netting.
Crook started to take the game to the visitors and in the 10 minute a good run by Bird saw him cut inside and lay the ball to Wallace who thundered in a shot which Atkinson saved at the second attempt.
The game was beginning to look like Bird againsty RCA as the Crook forward looked dangerous everytime he touched the ball, in the 18 minute, he raced past the RCA defence and into the box before shooting across the face of goal with Davis not far from connecting.
Two minutes later and Bird was away again this time he was tackled by McGuinness but the referee deemed that he had beenn fouled. the freekick was plucked out of the air by Atkinson.
RCA took the lead against the run of play when a long ball out of defence was supurbly controlled by Barton, he then squared the ball to Davis inside the 18 yard area, the youngsters shot struck Barnes and rebounded to Barton who made no mistake from 5 yards out blasting the ball into the roof of the net.
Back came Bird, picking up a ball from Pearson he played a quick one -two with Hodgson before firing in a low shot whichh forced a good save from Atkinson.
RCA knocked the stuffing out of Crook inn the 44 minute with a great individual goal from Jardine, a crossfield ball from Close found Jardine on the left, he headed the ball over the defender before outpacing him to the ball he then took the ball on 5 yards before slotting the ball past the advancing Poskett.
The second half started with the evergreen Marc Riches replacing Poskett in the Crook goal and he was quickly tested as Jardine fired in a shot which he had to save low to his right.
Five minutes into the half RCA though that they had increased their lead when a through ball from Close was picked up by Barton who flicked it over the keepers head and into the net, it was rulled offside.
Crook stemmed the tide a little and Hodgson carved out an opening for Davis but the striker fired over.
Hodgson then set up Bird but his shot was blocked by Beasley before falling to Wallace who sliced his shot wide.
Substitutions were made with Appleby replacing Barton and the effect was almost immediate as Appleby and Southern combined to create a chance for Jardine but the effort went straight to Riches.
A minute later and Southern was unlucky not to score as he jinxed past the crook defence and sent in a thunderous drive which looked destined for the net until it was deflected onto a post.
Crook would not lie down and it was bird whop once again set up on opportunity for Davis who saw his effort well saved by Atkinson, from the resulting corner RCA struggled to clear the ball and it fell to Hodgson who tried to curl it into the net but the bakll went the wrong side of the post.
The home team were once again shocked inn the 75 minute when Jardine slipped between two defenders to receive a poass fron Hudson and the in form striker made no mistake calmly sliding the ball past Riches.
Within two minutes another chance fell to RCA when they were awarded a freekick on the edge of the box, Southern took the kick and powered ashot which rattled the crossbar.
Crook picked up the momentum as the game came to its conclusion and a shot fromm Marshall went narrowly wide before Bird had a shot which struck the post and rebounded to safety.
In the final minute a long ball into the box found Davis and McGuinness was adjudged to have fouled the Crook player in clearing the ball. McGuinness sent off and a Penalty awarded. Hodgson sent Atkinson the wrong way in converting the kick.
Crook had the better of the open play and much more possession but the clinical finishing of the RCA strikers was phenominal.
Had Crook been clinical in front of goal then this could have been a very different scoreline.