RCA keeper Neal Atkinson gathers the ball in the second half of the match.
Northern League Division 1
Saturday, 22 September 2012
Goalscorers: RCA Barton, Appleby.
Please click here for photos from the match.
The injury crisis looks a little better with the return of Andrew Appleby, but progress is slow on the long term injuries to Jones, Gordon and Preston, with Jardine joining this list with a pulled hamstring, Preston did do a light training session today. We have also lost the services of Daryll Hall who has returned, prematurely, to Shildon after a short loan spell.
Back into the fold is the evergreen Wayne Henderson who slots straight into the right back spot and Guerinn-Lokonga takes over from Jardine.
Penrith fresh from their midweek 15-0 victory over Wigton FC were expected to give our defence a stern test today. However RCA scored two quick goals during a purple patch at the start of the second half which killed off a spirited but goal shy Penrith team.
Firstly I must apologise to the readers of these match reports for the lateness of this report. Unfortunately, I have moved house and although Virgin Media claim to be able to connect you to the internet in days, what they don’t tell you is that it is 28 days. Normal service will be resumed after the 20 October 2012 or 2013 not really sure.
Anyway here is the belated match report.
RCA started well and in the 2 minute Henderson sent a through ball to Guerin-Lokonga who in turn pulled the ball back into the path of Hudson but he blazed his shot well over the bar.
Penrith looked to push forward down the right and almost got an opening goal when a long throw into the box was headed away by Paxton and Nugent, picking up the loose ball fired wide.
Almost all of the first half was played at a fairly pedestrian pace with the only real chances of the half falling to Coleman of Penrith, again from a long throw but this time the Striker shot wide with the goal seemingly at his mercy and in the last five minutes of the half Barton was sent clean through by Close but fired into the side netting.
What a contrast in the opening minute of the second half as RCA took the game by the scruff of the neck, pressurising Penrith into mistakes.
In the 48 minute they took the lead when a Hudson Corner was flicked into the net, at the near post, by the head of Barton.
Within a minute Close was the instigator of another RCA attack as he powered forward before slipping the ball to Davis who shot wide.
RCA went 2-0 up when a clipped ball by Close was controlled superbly by Guerin-Lokonga before laying the ball into the path of Appleby who rounded Jameson before tapping into an empty net.
Guerin-Lokonga was causing major problems to the Penrith defence and a great dribble and cross into the box was met by Shields who headed the ball against the bar and away to safety.
In the 78 minute a well worked move between Allison and ainsworth saw the Penrith captain force a magnificent save from Atkinson.
The game then degenerated into a long ball game in which neither team seemed capable of providing the finishing touch in the final third.
As the game petered away Guerin-Lokonga had the only real attempt at goal forcing a good onr handed save from Jameson.
Although Penrith put up a good fight they never looked likely to score and RCA were well worthy of the 3 points.