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Arngrove Northern League Division 2
Saturday, 5 April 2008
RCA captain Scott Richards shields the ball in midfield
Conditions were cold and blustery as RCA prepared to start this vital game aganst a Team Northumbria side who had thumped Whickham the previous week, despite being destined to finish second bottom of the league this season.
Manager Neil Hixon made three changes to his starting line up, resting Paul Sammons and his troublesome ankle problem, by bringing Anth Laidler into the midfield slot, and replacing the injured Paul Stout with stalwart Gary Anderson, while Craig Shields returned in goal for Jon Minniss.
Ash Davis carries the ball foward for RCA!
Team Northumbria started brightly, and the first incident of note saw them denied what looked like a good penalty appeal in the third minute as their striker was tumbled off the ball. RCA replied with a good Lee Owens effort which was smartly saved and as the game settled Owens flashed a cross over without a RCA player being able to make contact. Andrew Jennings was troubling the Northumbria back four with his power in the air, but RCA were unable to profit from his good flicks. After 23 minutes however Jennings was responsible for one of the misses of the season as he rounded the keeper and then hit the bar from three yards out.
RCA's Anth Laidler battles for the ball
RCA were now well on top but struggling to make it count, with Gary Shields breaking clear of the defence and firing wide, while Team Northumbria always played enterprising football on the break. After 37 minutes David Wells just failed to connect with a ball across goal from Lee Owens, and that was followed by Team Northumbria's best spell to date, as they kept RCA under pressure for several minutes, culminating in a free kick from the right which caused chaos in the box and brought two smart stops from Craig Shields in the RCA goal in the resulting scramble. RCA had the last word of the half however, taking the lead as David Wells finished his own good run with an excellent finish from a tight angle. 1-0 at the break.
David Wells opens the scoring for RCA
The second period started slowly with little goalmouth action, but Team North pressing, and after 56 minutes Hixon replaced David Wells with Adam McGuinness. The game continued to be scrappy and the RCA fans were nervous at the slim lead, particularly so when Team North winger John Redhead ran well and shot narrowly wide. RCA roused themselves and should have extended their lead when Scott Richards followed in a free kick and struck the bar from six yards. Jon Newton replaced Gary Shields for the last 20, and a Scott Richards free kick produced a scramble as RCA finally mounted some pressure.
Andy Middleton mounts an attack on the Team Northumbria goal
Andy Middleton joined the fray replacing Lee Owens, and the game was finally secured as Andy Jennings ran menacingly into the box and, although he shot weakly, the hapless Team North defender could only help the ball over the line. 2-0 after 77 minutes.
The game was clearly over now, and Jennings put the icing on the cake, and strengthened his charge for the second division goalscorers crown, with a run across the edge of the box and a fine finish to make the scoreline 3-0 in the 84th minute. Not a pretty game in fairly miserable conditions, and Team Northumbria certainly made RCA work hard, but a win is what matters now and the points are on the board. Three to go!