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Arngrove Northern League Division 2
Saturday, 29 September 2007
Two wins on the trot are very welcome to RCA supporters and will have raised eyebrows elsewhere as we trebled our league points tally against a tough Marske side, who were eighth in the league, with no away losses, going into this match. Things are changing at Meadow Park as new manager Neil Hixon's early work takes effect. There's more heart, more belief and more ability on show. RCA can go into the next two home ANL encounters with Prudhoe (Saturday) and Guisborough (Tuesday week) with a positive frame of mind.
RCA began the match kicking up the slope. Marske were first to show, heading over the bar from a right wing cross after two minutes. In the next minute RCA had a corner, but this was cleared. On five minutes there was a long stoppage as a Marske player was knocked out when competing for a header in midfield. When play was resumed, Wayne Henderson made a good and crucial tackle as a Marske forward ran clear on goal. Six minutes later, Wayne was in action again, managing to disturb a Marske forward who was clear through on goal, weakening the shot that was comfortably saved by keeper Craig Shields.
Marske were having success down their left wing and on 17 minutes shot just past the far post. RCA were also threatening. Lee Owens collected a good diagonal ball, but his shot was straight at the keeper.
On 26 minutes Marske got the goal that their play had been threatening. Again the problem was on the RCA left side of defence, with a Marske forward having far too much freedom to run through to slot past Craig Shields.
Two minutes later it looked like it was not going to be RCA's day as Wayne Henderson conceded a penalty, but the shot was way wide past the right post.
RCA were getting some joy down their right, with good work from new signing Lee Owens. Unfortunately his cross on 37 minutes was just over hit. On 41 minutes Si Andrews challenged the keeper on his line and inevitably the referee blew in favour of the keeper.
Marske will have been frustrated that there lead was only 1 - 0 at half time, although any neutral would not have felt much sympathy for their constantly mythering fans, who were giving the match officials a ridiculous level of abuse.
Manager Neil Hixon made some key changes for the for the second half bringing on Gary D Anderson and Paul Moss to tighten up the right side of the defence. Both players did very well and the changes had the desired effect, as would the introduction of new signing Lee Bell on to the right wing.
On 48 minutes Gary Shields won a penalty, which he then took to score and put RCA on level terms. Ten minutes later though Marske were ahead again scoring from their second penalty.
RCA were back in the match on 59 minutes. A terrific ball from the ever-improving Kevin Dixon put Gary Shields in good space on the right of the Marske penalty area. His cross was half-stopped by the keeper, but Si Andrews was on hand to bundle the ball into the net.
On 75 minutes RCA went ahead for the first time in the match. Tricky footwork from new boy Lee Bell was too much for the Marske defenders and he slotted home to make it 3 - 2. Three minutes later a good ball from Dean Goodwin set up Lee on the right, but all missed his tantalising cross.
There was more woe for Marske on 82 minutes as David Onions was stretchered off. Let's hope he's OK.
On 82 minutes another good ball from Kevin Dixon to Lee Bell was crossed, but Si Andrews did not connect effectively enough with his header and the keeper pushed around the post.
A good win and with a friendly against the Bishops arranged for Wednesday night Neil Hixon will have more opportunity to assess his squad.