Aristote Guerin-Lokonga heads home RCA's only goal in the 1 - 5 home defeat.
Saturday, 15 December 2012
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: RCA Guerin-Lokonga: Bishop Auckland Johnson 3 Megran, Jardine
Please click here for photos from the match
This hastily arranged League match against a high flying Bishops turned into a disaster both on and off the pitch, 76 turned up to watch the match, probably only 50 of them paying for the privilege and the Officials were from Scarborough and Redcar by far the most expensive this season.
On the pitch the woeful display by the home team was nothing short of disgraceful, there was no passion or endeavour, it looked and felt like a Sunday morning match. Everything that was good about the team last season and at the beginning of this season was missing. We are now embroiled in a relegation battle and need to pick up points quickly.
There were two notable performances, Rivers and Guerin-Lokonga did put some effort into the match, but produced little in the way of end product. Contrast this with Johnson and ex-RCA player Jardine who harassed RCA's defence all afternoon and got their reward in abundance.
RCA welcomed Bishops for yet another match and unfortunately the results of recent visits by the two blues was completely turned on its head as they ran out easy winners.
The match kicked off on a very wet pitch which had been well prepared by the RCA ground staff although it did cut up quite badly it was well playable and there were no complaints by either team before during or after the match.
RCA started positively and almost opened the scoring in the opening 5 minutes when Owens lobbed the ball goal ward, it bounced up and onto the top of the crossbar, although Jeffries looked to have the goal covered.
Atkinson pulled off a double save from Johnson after a strong run saw him fire in a low shot which was saved by the keepers foot, Johnson followed up blasting the ball goal ward and Atkinson again saved with his feet before the ball was cleared.
Bishops took the lead minutes later, a ball over the top was flicked by Megran to Johnson who rounded the 'keeper then flicked the ball into an empty net.
Bishops doubled the lead on 34 minutes when McGuinness was late with a tackle on Johnson the striker picked himself up to take tha spot kick firing it low to the Atkinson's right to make it 2-0.
A great run by Gibson, who beat the offside trap saw him cut inside before unleashing a powerful, curling shot which Jeffries did well to turn round the post for a corner.
Gibson took the corner and Guerin-Lokonga stooped low to head home through a sea of legs and it looked like game on.
However, just before the interval Wearmouth found Jardine with a lovely ball and the Striker repaid with a perfectly weighted pass, Wearmouth created space before firing in a shot which was half blocked but the ball found Megran eight yards out and he fired home to make it 3-1.
Johnson hit the post twice with one shot on 56 minutes when his near post shot was parried onto the post by Atkinson. The ball rebounded off the 'keeper and back onto the post before being gathered at the third attempt.
A long ball out of defence found Owens who broke past the last defender, but his first touch took the ball away from his feet and Jeffries made a great save racing tout and diving at his feet.
Johnson completed his hat-trick just before the hour with a near post blast which flew in to make it 4-1.
Bishops were well on top now and as low shot by Bell was well saved by Atkinson the RCA keeper was called into action minutes later as Bell fired in another shot this time the ball was kicked off the line by the keeper. Then Johnson fired one past the post as the game headed to a conclusion.
In the final minute Bishops were awarded a fortunate penalty as Jardine lost his footing taking on a defender in the box. Ex RCA player Jardine was given the chance to open his account for Bishops from the spot and duly slotted home to conclude the scoring.
RCA play South Shields on Tuesday and need a big performance to appease their supporters