Saturday, 3 November 2012
Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA: Southern (pen). Billingham Town FC: Dunwell
Well it was back to Billingham Town for the second time this week and as in the first there was plenty of excitement, two penalties, bars hit, great saves and to add to the drama a little bit of controversy (when will the league direct us to install goal line technology).
Both teams made changes for this league encounter. The SRCA changes were Atkinson recalled in goal, Randhawa made the starting line up for the first time at left back and into the midfield came Close who took over the armband.
As on Tuesday the opening minutes were very much a time to get used to the feel of the game.
In the fifth minute a corner was awarded to RCA and Southern crossed to the near post were Davies flicked the ball over the heads of the Billingham defence to Parker at the far post, but the RCA defender could only poke the ball into the side netting.
Within a minute Home-Jackson picked up the ball inside Billingham's half, rode three challenges before releasing the ball to Southern who in turn curled the ball wide for the overlapping Marshall, his cross was inches too high for Guerin-Lokonga.
Not to be outdone Billingham responded with Davies picking the ball up on the left, checking his run before curling a great cross into the box for Martin who headed straght at Atkinson.
Only into the tenth minute and the fireworks really did start, a freekick on the left for RCA was taken by Southern who fired in a terrific curling shot which, although well saved by Molyneaux was well behind the line when he clawed it out, this was missed entirely by the assistant referee and RCA protests were waved away.
Southern was getting involved in most of RCA's moves and it was his one two with Close which set up Home-Jackson who mesmerised the Billingham defence with a deft chip which Molyneaux somehow managed to fingertip onto the bar and Cossavella cleared.
In the 20th minute a Billingham were awarded a free kick 25 yards out and Butterworth fired in a great dipping and curling shot which Atkinsom did well to tip over the bar. RCA broke quickly from the corner and Randhawa was fouled, Southern took the freekick and it was headed down Marshall into the path of Parker but he shot wide.
The game was swinging from end to end and the earlier superiority of RCA was missing. Dunwell had a good effort easily saved by Atkinson. who quickly threw the ball to Randhawa and the full back, running at speed clipped in a great cross for Home-Jackson but he fired wide.
In the 30th minute Billingham should have opened the scoring when Butterworth slipped the ball inside to Macdonald and he sent in a delightful ball to Dunwell who fired wide. However a minute later he made no mistake. RCA's defence was left standing as MacDonald slipped free to sent in a perfect pass to Dunwell who made no mistake this time
RCA picked themselves up and another cross from Randhawa found Marshall unmarked inside the six yard area, but he headed wide.
The first half slipped away with no further chances being created.
The second half came to life after only two minutes when Davis skipped past two defenders before curling in a shot which went narrowly wide of Molynueax upright.
RCA continued to probe and press the Billingham defence but came across a defiant Billingham defence who made great use of the ball in counter attacks, utilising both wings to great effect.
The RCA captain Close was starting to become more effective in the midfield and he almost created the equaliser with a wonderful throughball to Southern, unfortunately the shot did not measure up to the pass wand went harmlessly wide.
However, 2 minutes later, Close was pushed to the floor inside the penalty area afer a surging run had taken him past the defender and the referee awardeda penalty. Soft or not up stepped Southern to drive the ball home despite Molyneuax getting a hand to it.
In the 60th minute Crossman sent in a cross which found Cossavella and his effort brought a reflex save from Atkinson turning the ball away with his feet.
Billingham were looking the most likely to score at this point and Dunwell had two great chances to kill the game off but sent his efforts wide of the target.
Harrison Davies bursting into the box looked to be held by Parker and the referee awarded a penalty, Butterworth took the kick and blazed it high and wide.
RCA having survived this scare took the game to Billingham again and the exciting Davis curled yet another shot just wide.
Butterworth after his penalty miss, went on a long run which saw him pick up the ball inside his own half and ended with him firing wide. The goal kick found Randhawa who swung in a hopeful cross, Fryatt made ground to meet the ball and his first time volley was deflected inches wide of the upright with the keeper stranded.
At the other end it was that man again Harrison Davies taking a freekick from just outside the, his shot skimmed the crossbar to the relief of the RCA players.
In the final minute of the game RCA had a chance to snatch all 3 points when Randhawa beat two defenders on the by-line before clipping in a cross onto the head of Barton but the RCA striker, usually so clinical in these situations, managed to steer the ball wide of the upright from 1 yard out.
In the end a draw was probably a fair result although, like Tuesday, it could so easily have been 4-4.
On the plus side Close is back and Davis looks to have recovered from his injury well. Marshall, Home-Jackson, Randhawa and Cutts all need to work on their fitness.
Next up Spennymoor Town FC, out of the frying pan ……………………….