Ross Preston returned to his usual defensive duties after playing up front for a few matches.
Saturday, 20 April 2013
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Scorer: UTS: Craggs
Please click here for photos from the match.
Please click here for Ken Fitzpatrick's photos from the match.
Well what a change from the dismal display on Wednesday, RCA bounced back with a match full of character and heart.
A goal down after just 25 seconds and a man down after 35 minutes the remaining 10 men produced a plucky display which almost got them a well deserved draw, only the referee blowing for an infringement, when Clarke headed into the Dunston goal stopped them equalising.
The game started in dramatic fashion, from the kick off the ball was played to Pickering who sent a long ball down the right wing to Shaw, his cross was met by Craggs who had time to controll the ball before guiding the ball past Foden to make it 1-0 after 25 seconds.
RCA came back and almost equalised when Home-Jackson cut inside on the right and crossed in to Gordon who flicked his header on to Shaw who could only guide his shot wide of the upright.
Home-Jackson's injury woes continued as he limped off after eight minutes with what looked like a hamstring problem.
Dunston's next real attack came on 15 minutes when Shaw was again the provider this time it was Teasdale who found space, but could only head into the arms of Foden.
Although RCA were playing well the old failing of a lot of possession was not creating any real chances up front continued.
Dunston for their part looked dangerous when they attacked, a corner taken by Craggs was headed over the bar by Swailes and Burrell was denied when Foden brought off a good save.
In between these efforts Clarke, on for the injured Home-Jackson, received a through ball from Richards and fired in a shot which bounced just in front of Clark, the Dunston keeper, who made the save.
In the 35th minute after a foul tackle by Young on Richards, the RCA player retaliated and was given a straight red card.
Dunston stepped up a gear and only some heroic defending kept the score at 1-0. A goal mouth scramble in the 40th minute saw no less than four shots blocked by RCA players as they put their bodies on the line for the cause.
The second half saw 10 men RCA taking the game to Dunston, it was difficult at times to tell who had the 10 men.
On the hour mark Close picked up the ball 45 yards out and ran at the Dunston defence before unleashing a terrific shot from 25 yards which had Clark scrambling to push round the post.
There followed a succession of corners which saw Clarke's header deflected wide, then a McGuinness header hit a defender on the line and was cleared for another corner.
It was all RCA at this point and when Kane flicked the ball over Robson's head and then over Swailes head he looked in a good position to finish, but the ball bounced awkwardly and his effort flew over the bar.
RCA did get the ball in the net in the 70th minute when Shaw's corner was powerfully headed into the net by Clarke, but he was adjudged to have pushed a Dunston defender prior to scoring.
Dunston were reduced to counter attacks utilising the pace of substitute McAndrew.
As the game wore on RCA just got better and better and it was Dunston's turn to defend in depth and Swailes was outstanding, repelling attack after attack. Four corners in quick succession were all dealt with by the big centre half and his co defenders.
It was a testament to RCA's superiority in this second half that it wasn't until the 85th minute that they posed a real threat when McAndrew crossed in from the right wing to Bulford who, unmarked 8 yards out, headed over the bar.
In the last minute of normal time RCA were awarded a freekick on the edge of the box, Clarke stepped up and fired in a shot which beat both the keeper and the far post.
Today's performance was what a lot of supporters have been looking for from this team, we knew that the players are good enough, they just need to believe in themselves. the only thing missing from today's performance was goals. They will come if we continue to play as we did today.