Tuesday, 19 November 2013
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goal scorers: SRCA: None Guisborough: Johnson (2), Gell.
A familiar pattern is emerging with the team as once again only one change was made with Andrew Brown replacing the unavailable Jack Stanger.
The game itself was end to end with Guisborough having the lion's share of possession and RCA breaking effectively on the counter attack. Two late late strikes sealed it for the visitors in the 88th and 89th minutes, as RCA pushed forward looking for an equaliser, adding to their first half goal in the 13th minute.
The teams took to the field in almost sub zero temperatures, but it didn't take long for the hands of RCA keeper Carmichael to warm up as he was forced into a great save after Wood latched onto a cross from Risborough and hit a terrific first time shot.
RCA, with the advantage of the slope got into gear with a good run by Patton who crossed into the box towards Barton, but Carling was first to the ball clearing it over the bar. The resulting corner was cleared up field by Bishop and, when Horsman slipped in trying to clear the danger, the ball was picked up by Johnson, the Guisborough striker set off on a 25 yard run and with only Carmichael to beat made no mistake in opening the scoring.
A good passing move saw Guisborough move the ball from defence into the final third where Wood, managed to slip the ball to Johnson inside the area, but his final effort was uncharacteristically off target.
As the game settled down RCA moves the ball to Fryatt on the right wing and he was looking to get the ball into the danger area at every opportunity.
On the half hour Fryatt sent and inch perfect pass to Patton inside the visitors penalty area. RCA's striker turned and squared the ball to Barton who fired wide.
RCA were being put under a lot of pressure and were responding with some strong challenges and the game became very scrappy as the match headed toward half time.
A blistering start to the second half saw Guisborough pour forward in an attempt to finish off the game, but the RCA defence withstood the onslaught.
In the 50th minute Roberts picked up the ball before sliding a pass to Johnson who tried to chip Carmichael, but the RCA keeper was equal to it and palmed the ball out where it was cleared by Jury.
Two minutes later and Roberts beat the offside trap but, with only the keeper to beat, fired well wide of the far post.
RCA replied with a great run from Fryatt which ended with the winger being upended. Wilson took the freekick to the near post where Baynes flick the ball into the path of Barton who fired over from 10 yards out.
For the first time in the game RCA were looking to move the ball forward with a degree of success. A charge up field by Baynes saw the winger play in Patton, but his shot was blocked by Bishop.
In the final 10 minutes the visitors were constantly being caught offside as RCA defenders played a high line. From a quick freekick taken by Carmichael the ball fell to Patton on the edge of the 18 yard line. He fired in a thunderbolt of a shot which went narrowly over the bar.
The response was instantaneous as Johnson, clearly offside, was allowed to continue, his shot struck the inside of the far post and rebounded kindly for him as he followed up and although Carmichael got a hand to the shot he could only parry it into the net. 2-0 up in the 88th minute.
Worse was to follow a minute later when Carmichael slipped when clearing the ball up field and it fell to Gell who struck a perfect lob over the scrambling Carmichael and into the top corner.
Credit must be given to a well organised Guisborough team who took full advantage of a below par performance from RCA. The first under the new management team. We will be looking for a favourable response on Saturday.
Note: Guisborough_Town_Red, the players response at the end of the game was an overreaction to a poor performance and certainly not the views of anyone else at RCA. Your support of Guisborough Town FC is to be commended and I trust that the next time I see you it is behind the home team goal supporting your team and doing what you like doing.