27 March 2013
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Scorer: SRCA : Shaw.
After six straight defeats and no goals in our last three matches, the possibility of being dragged down into the relegation battle were becoming a reality.
The pitch was in remarkably good condition given that this was the third match played on it in five days although the night itself was bitterly cold.
17 year old Mark Foden retained the number 1 jersey after an impressive home debut against Spennymoor on Monday, Kane replaced the injured Gordon and Shaw replaced Monson.
RCA again started well, as they have in their last three matches, but poor decisions in front of goal have cost them dearly, tonight was to be no exception.
As early as the second minute a cross into the box by Kane caused widespread panic in the Hebburn defence, but nobody could put a touch on the ball and Regan took charge smothering the ball at the feet of Guerin-Lokonga.
Hebburn seemed happy to sit back and soak up the RCA pressure and hit on the counter; both teams were looking nervous and that was probably down to their recent form nobody was looking to make a mistake.
The next chance of the half fell to Hebburn when Luccock swung in a right wing cross which was partially cleared by Wardle but Mcdonald, ghosting in at the back post headed past the post.
RCA had plenty of possession and looked dangerous up to the edge of the box, but failed to make their good work pay off and the Hebburn defence seemed capable of holding its own.
Nicholson had a great chance for Hebburn on 18 minutes, but fired his shot wide of the target
A delightful move by RCA almost culminated in a goal when Kane picked the ball up, ran into space before picking out Guerin-Lokonga who in turn slipped the ball through too Shaw, the normally cool winger could only hook the ball over the bar.
The dangerous Nicholson almaost scored when he managed to get a touch on a cross by Gredziak, but headed just wide.
RCA then took control ao the remainder of the half, except on the half hour mark when a Hebburn free kick was lofted into the box and Kirkup headed down for Gredziak who struck the ball sweetly towards the corner of the goal, but Foden brought off a brilliant save to turn it round the post.
A minute later a great move in which at least six players were involved saw the ball switched from one wing to another until the ball fell for McGuinness who fired in a 25 yard screamer which went narrowly over the bar.
The pressure was being applied by RCA now and a quick throw found Guerin-Lokonga on the right. He fed the ball to Clarke who powered in a shot which was deflected wide by Donaldson. The corner was headed away by Kirkup for another corner which was met by Clarke, but he could only steer his header wide of the near post.
The last action of the half saw Harrison cross in to the far post where Luccock seemed to have acres of space but the winger fired wide.
The second half saw a quick change in fortune for RCA in front of goal as a goal kick from Regan was headed forward by McGuinness to Clarke who fooled the Hebburn defence with a neat back heel into the path of Shaw who, cool as you like, slid the ball under the keeper.
Hebburn responded by sending 6'5" Kirkup into an attacking position and then sending in high ball after high ball in the hope that he could get an equaliser.
The plan almost suceeded on a number of occasions by some stirling defending and goalkeeping kept Hebburn from scoring.
In the 62nd minute RCA should have killed the game off. A long ball from Wardle was flicked on by Clarke and Guerin-Lokonga raced onto the ball, but just as he was about to shoot the ball bobbled and the shot went wide.
The long throw of Gredziak was causing some problems and in the 69th minute one of his throws was volleyed towards goal by Donaldson but Foden was equal to it making the save look easier than it was.
Hebburn were pouring forward looking for an equaliser and a Luccock’s cross was dropped by Foden but the keeper reacted well to dive at the feet of Gredziak.
It was RCA now who were reduced to counter attacking and when Guerin-Lokonga picked up the ball on the right and ran past the last defender to crossed to Shaw, it looked certain to be RCA's second of the night, but the normally reliable Shaw fired over the bar from eight yards out.
A Kirkup header was then cleared off the line by McGuinness and the half ended with a snap shot from substitute Robson flying wide of the upright.
Certainly not the best game of football seen this season, but both teams gave 100% and on another night it could have ended 6-6. By the end of the night the effort of playing three games in five days was starting to tell on the RCA players.
At least they will get a bit of a rest before the match on Saturday against league leaders Darlington at Heritage Park. Weather permitting.