19 February 2013
League Cup 3rd Round
Goalscorers: Durham : Hotchkiss, P Dixon: SRCA: Guering-Lokonga, Clarke, J Dixon.
RCA made one change from the team that won so convincingly at the weekend, with Scott Richards missing through work committments and only expected to get to the game for the half time interval, Carl Beasley was drafted in to replace him.
A steady drizzle fell throughout the night but did not dampen the performances of both teams on the pitch. RCA started like a house on fire when in the opening minute a slide rule pass from Marron found Guerin-Lokonga in space on the right wing; his measured cross was met by Clarke who looked to steer it into the back of the net, but Young managed to get a hand to it and the ball went behind for a corner despite the lunge of Dixon ghosting in at the back post who was inches away from opening the scoring.
That was about as good as it got for RCA in the first half as Durham turned the screw with some good passing moves which RCA found difficult to cope with.
It was no surprise when they took the lead in the 10th minute when a great ball from ex-RCA star Oates found Allen. The winger took the ball on before cutting inside to deliver a ball into the box, in the scamble that followed Winter looked to be upended by Beasley and the referee awarded apenalty. Hotchkiss stepped up a fired into the net passed Graham.
RCA next forage upfield saw a header by Clarke go harmlessly over the bar. Durham replied with a shot from Hotchkiss which forced save from Graham and then Fenwick was guilty of shooting wide when Winter was in a great goalscoring possition.
Durham were stating to get on top at this point and it was only some excellent midfield / defensive work by Close which kept the scoreline down, his timely interception set up Cutts whose shot was well saved by Young and Monson following up was adjudged to be offside.
In the 27th minute Durham extended their lead with a typical flowing move which saw Allen once again released on the left wing, this time by Madden with a pinpoint pass which left the RCA defence scrambling and as the ball was crossed into the box Paul Dixon was on hand to slam the ball home from 12 yards out.
The young guns of Durham were in full flow now and a great run and shot by Fenwick could, and some would say should, have made it 3-0, but Graham got down well to turn the shot round the post for a corner and Madden headed the resulting corner well wide of the upright.
If RCA started the first half with a bang and finished with a wimper they came out all guns blazing in the second half, Clarke dispossed Ellison before passing to Dixon who crossed into the box where Guering-Lokonga was on hand to volley home from close range.
Two minutes later and RCA drew level. Shields, on for Beasley, found Clarke with a pass, he moved the ball on quickly into space and Dixon arriving at the far post slammed the ball home.
RCA had turned the game on its head inside five minutes of the restart and they kept the momentum going, A shot from McGuinness was scramble clear.
Close and Cutts were bossing the midfield and their distribution was outstanding; the only Durham attack of the second half so far saw Paul Dixon fire wide after a good run.
RCA took the lead on the hour mark with a beautifully worked move, Guerin-Lokonga and Shields made progress down the right before slipping the ball inside to Dixon who laid the ball into the path of the evergreen Clarke who showed great composure before sliding the ball past the outstretched hand of Young.
The impetus of the match was well and truly with RCA now and only a great save by Young from a McGuinness (Bale like) freekick kept the score down. The freekick being awarded as Cutts was brought down when bursting past the Durham defence.
Close was inspirational in midfield and it was a master-stroke by the manager to move Morran into the centre of defence to renew his partnership with Preston and to bring on Gary Shields in at right back.
The sight of Craig Shields warming up to come on as an outfield player must have sent shockwaves through the Durham City team and minutes after coming on he almost scored as he charged down a clearance from Young and the ball rebounded just wide of the upright.
Durham made a late rally as the searched for an equaliser, but shots from Ellison and Winter both went tamely wide as they appeared to run out of steam and it was RCA who were pressing as the final whistle blew.
What a change in fortunes a below par first half by the lads followed by a vastly improved performance that was as good as they have played all season. In the end a thoroughtly deserved victory setting up a match against Spennymoor Town FC in the quarter final.