Arngrove Northern League Division 2
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
SRCA supporters have waited a long time for nights like this. Actually in with a chance in the promotion frame, going into the last week of the season, it was important to arrive early at Filtrona Park for this one. At kick off there were over 300 supporters already in the ground, the atmosphere was cutting as the players took to the field. A game with that little bit extra with Shields having former RCA forwards, crowd favourite Jonny Wightman, who once scored seven goals in a league match for RCA, in their line up as well as Willie Crew on the bench.
Immediately from kick off on a very wet and heavy surface, strong challenges were made from the opposition central midfield players, Richards and Sammons for SRCA showing they were up for the task in hand. In the third minute Richards won the ball and moved it quickly to the left where Wells fired in quickly to Jennings who tested the keeper with a half chance. If the opening was anything to go by RCA were definitely up for this, but South Shields also showed their quality in the sixth minute when consecutive passes allowed space for full back Craig Russell (former Sunderland AFC star) who drilled an excellent ball from the left to the back post which skimmed over the onrushing forwards. Minutes later Wells for RCA found more space on the left and hit a decent effort at goal from 25 yards, but the home keeper was untroubled. South Shields responded in the 11th minute winning a corner which was well cleared by Wardle on the penalty spot. RCA were then enjoying a lot of room down the right , with Owens, Gary Shields and Stout linking well. The good passing resulted in Shields having a half volley effort on goal on 12 minutes..
Then a cracking move from the away team allowed room for Owens on the right; dummying the defender he cut inside and disguising a cross he then fired at the target with a left foot effort from 25 yards that the keeper was pleased to see move past his right post. Immediately after the same player was in again with a good cross that found Jenning’s head, but he could not make good contact towards the goal. On 18 minutes RCA with their second corner of the game again created half chances for Wells and Jennings, but again no end product.
On 26 minutes RCA conceded a free kick in a dangerous area 30 yards from goal. After possibly taking the wrong option in floating the ball towards the penalty spot, the ball was cleared back to the same South Shields midfielder who had a good effort from the same distance, but this cleared the bar by a couple of yards. Play was end to end now with one corner for either side, but on 35 minutes Wells intercepted on a Shields attack, raced through and again tested the keeper who held well. Davies for RCA also attacked down the left and his good run resulted in a further corner. Henderson had a header towards the home goal before Jennings and Wells again could not get good contact on. Half time: 0 – 0 an excellent game to watch, defences strong but a half definitely edged by SRCA.
The second half started as lively as the first with RCA winning a corner and Richards again testing the keeper. On 49 minutes however Jennings was booked on the half way line after a tackle with the central defender. For the next few minutes RCA were in disarray as a good midfield move from the home side ended up with the ball fed to centre forward Johnson who raced through with keeper to beat, hit a good effort that was very well saved by Minnis when pushed for a corner.
On 60 minutes Jon Newton replaced Gary Shields up front and immediately after Scot Richards was booked in a spell where the referee lost his way a little. A couple of decisions in favour of the home side caused upset and it was the home side who took the game forward. Indecision in the RCA defence, who up until this time had looked very solid, allowed South Shields in via Wightman and Johnson who were blocked with last ditch tackles.
Given that a drawn result was no good to RCA, manager Hixon brought McGuiness on for Wells on 68 minutes in search of the opening goal. The plan nearly worked with Newton benefiting from good work on the left and finding room on the right he had a clear sight of goal, but screwed his shot across the face of the goal. On 70 minutes disaster happened when a hopeful clearance deceived Wardle who had been solid all night, the ball fell to the dangerous Mark Johnson who cut into the box and fired past Innis in goal. 1 – 0 and a feeling of hurt for the RCA.
RCA had further chances with Newton and Jennings again having efforts at goal, but it was clear that this was not to be our night. All out attack nearly backfired as South Shields were coping well in defence and nearly caught RCA out again in the closing minutes.
The referee blew the whistle and promotion celebrations at the end for Shields supporters with a bitter pill to swallow for all involved with SRCA. Must lift ourselves again though as promotion is still in our hands with two games to go, together with a semi final tie against Shields to come at Meadow Park. Hopefully the crowd will be is as big, then a lively night is ahead of us. Book your ticket now!
But up to fourth now in the league and all supporters of SRCA are not complaining. Real test ahead … can we get into that top three position?