Saturday, 2 November 2013
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA: Wray, Shildon: Wood (2)
Please click here for match photos by Zoë Vicarage.
Please click here for match video highlights from Shildon TV.
Please click here for match video highlights from Sky Tyne and Wear.
RCA entertained second placed Shildon in today’s League fixture, Shildon would go back to the top of the league with a win. RCA were looking to carry on with the improvement that they have shown in their recent matches.
After the mid week cup exit at the hands of Darlington 1883 in extra time the management team made several changes to the team: in came Carmichael, Jury, Preston, Andrew Brown, Fryatt and Baynes, out went Spence, Aaron Brown, Clough, Stanger, Morris, and Hassan.
The game started slowly with both teams feeling their way into the game. In the eighth minute RCA were awarded their first corner of the game and Wilson swung the kick towards the near post where Wray met the ball with a powerful header which struck the underside of the bar and was cleared by Stephenson.
RCA continued to press forward and a slick ball from Jury to Brown opened up the Shildon defence the cross into the area from Brown was met by Barton but he could only steer the ball over the bar.
The hosts took the lead in the 19th minute when they were awarded corner after some good interplay between Fryatt, Baynes and Patton produced a save from Graham in the Shildon goal. Once again Wilson took the kick, this time picking out Wray at the far post and this time the tall central defender made no mistake heading into the net past the despairing dive of Graham.
Shildon were visibly shocked by this and reacted with a spell of pressure which resulted in a corner which was taken by Hudson, his cross was met by Wood but went well over the bar.
A quick break by Harwood saw him turn defence into attack with a beautiful cross field ball to Ruddy who cut inside before firing in a shot which was blocked by Preston, the ball fell to Hudson who shot straight at Carmichael.
The game was starting to literally get bogged down in midfield with little in the way of goalmouth action.
As the game entered the final minutes of the half Shildon almost equalized when Wray blocked a shot from Ruddy into the path of Hudson who blasted in a shot which Carmichael somehow managed to get a hand to and the ball was cleared up field.
In the final minute of the half a cross into the box by Jury was headed over the bar by Barton.
Shildon started the second half pressing forward looking for an early equalizer but RCA where defending effectively. In the 47 minute a freekick taken by Hudson hit the RCA wall and went wide of the upright. The resulting corner was headed over by Stephenson.
In the 55th minute a through ball from Stephenson to Hudson split the RCA defence the ex-RCA midfielder fired in a low shot which was blocked by Carmichael and Hudson, in trying to get to the rebound, fouled Preston. Penalty appeals waved away.
A minute later and a quick breakaway Fryatt saw him skip past Buzzeo before crossing into the Shildon area, Stephenson’s headed clearance fell to Baynes who sent in a great shot which brought a brilliant save from Graham.
In the 60th minute after a save from Carmichael the ball fell to Wray who tangled with Wood. The referee awarded a freekick to RCA which incensed the visitor’s manager who after exchanging words with the referee was ordered from the dugout.
The Railwaymen equalised in the 68th minute when a thow in was picked up by Hodgson who slipped the ball to Craddock his cross was met by Hudson who played the ball into the path of Wood who squeezed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
RCA should have retaken the lead when some clever interplay between Barton and Wilson sent Fryatt into the box but the youngster could only fire the ball over the bar.
Then a shot from Hodgson went narrowly wide before the quick thinking Turnbull slide a freekick into the path of Hudson on the edge of the six yard box, he only managed to stab the ball well wide of the upright with an open goal begging.
In the 83rd minute Stanger intercepted the ball in midfield and sent a long ball forward to Patton who beat his marker before setting up Barton. The RCA leading goalscorer mishit his shot from eight yards out and it was cleared off the line by Craddock. Then with time running out a slide rule pass from Stanger found Patton inside the area, he struck a perfect curling shot which was magnificently saved by Graham.
The killer goal came in the 90 minute RCA were unable to effectively clear their lines and the ball was crossed into the box where it evaded three players before being picked up by Wood who fire home from eight yards out.
This was a sickening blow for RCA who defended magnificently and who had clear chances to win this match. As for Shildon, they will be a force to be reckoned with when they have all their squad to choose from.
RCA should take heart from this performance and take the positives out of the game.