Northern League Division 1
Saturday, 6 October 2012
Scorers: Hebburn - Rasmussen, McBryde, Robson RCA - McGuinness, Barton, Gordon
Well a game of changing fortunes and no mistake! RCA looked much the better footballing side for the vast majority of this contest, cruised without too many alarms into a three goal lead with 20 minutes to go, and then, whether as result of complacency, lack of fitness, bad luck or a combination of all three managed to end up hanging on to a point at the end. There was no doubting manager Neil Hixon's fury at the end of this contest, and players can have expected to be asked some harsh questions at training this week as to their attitude and commitment to the cause. The Hebburn fans were jubilant at the end, and rightly so, as their lads battled hard against the odds to take something from the match. But it looked very different for the first hour.
RCA knocked the ball about well, and had already had a couple of half decent chances in the first ten minutes before a corner fell to Adam McGuinness in the 12th minute who hit the post with his first effort then lashed home the rebound. Hebburn by contrast were reliant on long balls knocked up to stand in centre forward Dan Kirkup, which by and large RCA dealt with comfortably enough. Gav Barton made it two in the 32nd minute when he beat the off side trap to slide under the advancing keeper, and although Hebburn had one or two efforts, RCA looked more likely to make it three before the break.
The second half started scrappily with little sign of a change in things until in the 60th minute a good passing move between the forwards saw Aris in on goal and the keeper making a good save, but Dave Gordon was on hand to easily notch with the second opportunity. That really did look like that, although Hebburn started to rouse themselves, went to a more attacking formation and made a couple of changes, including bringing on ex RCA goal poacher Liam McBryde. In 71st minute Rasmussen scored with a good drive into the bottom corner and Hebburn started to sense a chance.
Gav Barton was denied by a marginal offside decision as he lobbed the keeper, and now Hebburn's tails were up, and RCA were visibly hoping for the final whistle. A good save by Neal Atkinson saw Robson net the rebound in the 82nd minute and then with 89 minutes on the clock, McBryde coolly slotted the leveller. Hebburn immediately went back to four at the back and settled for the point, and RCA saw out time, wondering where it went wrong. Despite two wins and a draw from our last four games, a total 10 goals conceded in those four games tells its own story; we can't just rely on out scoring the opposition every week.