Satueday, 09 August 2014
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA: Preston, Durham City: Hotchkiss, Hope (2)
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Sunderland RCA started the new season with a visit to New Ferens Park to face a Durham City team who are reportedly looking to gain promotion to the Evostick League next year.
Both teams had added personnel during the close season so there was a new look to both sides as they took to the pich.
The game kicked off on a lovely if windy summers day, RCA took advantage of the wind in the first half and were immediately on the attack with Callen breaking down the left before sending in a great looking cross which was cut out by Wilkinson.
RCA opened the scoring in the 7 minute when Gary Wood played a ball out to the left where Callen fed the ball to Stanger whose pinpoint cross was met supurbly by Preston to head past Harkess.
Durham reacted immediately with Wallace sending a through ball into the path of Stoker who fired in a low shot which Carmichael saved at the second attempt.
The game was becoming a midfield battle and it wasn't until the 15 minute before either side had a worthwhile effort on goal, another cross field ball from Gary Wood found Callen who clipped the ball to Stanger the RCA number 10 picked out Lewis Wood at the far edge of the box and his shot was well saved by Harkess. The resultant Corner was header for another corner by Stoker before Morris glanced a header wide of the upright.
Durham lifted the pace of their game and it took a good save from Carmichael which denied Hope after some good work by Hotchkiss.
Two minutes later and it was Davis who fired wide from 25 yards.
RCA came back at Durham and were awarded a freekick 35 yards out, Browns cross was headed away by Wilkinson but fell to Lewis who struck a great shot which was brilliantly saved by Harkess.
RCA kept the pressure on with another two corners in quick succession which were well defended by Durhams resilient defenders.
In the 26 minute Lewis Wood once again found himself unmarked 25 yards out and unleashed a shot which went wide of the upright.
Having defended for a long spell Durham broke free and and were awarded a freekick when Hotchkiss was fouled, Stoker took the freekick but fired well over the bar.
The tide seemed to be turning in favour of Durham on the half hour mark a move involving Hotchkiss and Davis saw the ball picked up by Allen who cut inside before blasting in a shot which went narrowly wide.
Within a minute RCA were back on the attack and Stanger brought the save of the match from Harkess as he hit a terrific drive from 30 yards out which the keeper managed to get a finger tip to and the ball rebounded off the post to safety.
In the final flurry of the half Durham were awarded a corner, the ball was swung into the box where Carmichael elected to punch clear under pressure, unfortunately the ball fell to Hotchkiss, 20 yards out, He had time to pick out a spot just inside the post and fired in the equaliser for Durham.
The second half started with both teams looking to go forward and it was Durham who had the first real effort in the 50 minute when they forced a corner on the right, Wallace’s cross was met by Purewal but he could only send his header over the bar.
Wallace seemed to be getting a lot of the ball early in the second half for Durham and when Hotchkiss found him with a cross field ball the Durham winger controlled the ball before firing wide of the post.
From the goal kick Jury picked up the ball on the left and sent a perfectly flighted ball into the Durham penalty area where Morris brought it down superbly but as the ball bobbled his shot was blocked and then cleared by Wilkinson.
It’s funny how fortunes can change in seconds as the ball is switched to the other end it was easily defended by RCA, however a misplaced pass was seized on by Hotchkiss who chipped the ball over Carmichael, hitting the underside of the bar before rebounding to Hope who had the simplest of headers from 8 yards out into an empty net.
RCA picked up the tempo and took the game to Durham a quickly taken freekick by Stanger went narrowly wide and Durham defended well with Stoker, Wilkinson and Purewal all called upon to make timely interception.
In the 65 minute the quick thinking of Stanger almost created an equaliser for RCA when he received a short corner from Callen before crossing into the box where Lewis Wood rose to meet the ball but his well-placed header was saved by Harkess.
Durham increased their lead in the 74 minute via another defensive slip when Carmichael gave the ball to Horsman, he misjudged his infield ball to Gary Wood and the ball was intercepted, fed to Hope inside the area and his deft chip cleared Carmichael and nestled in the back of the net.
The final 15 minutes saw RCA create a number of half chances and the introduction of Hughes instilled some pace to the attack but on the day Durham’s defence managed to cope with everything that RCA could throw at them.
It could have finished even worse for RCA if Jury hadn’t been on hand to head a Hope effort off the line in the final few minutes.
All in all this was a decent opening game, we will need to learn quickly that mistakes at this level will be punished, having said that there were many plusses to be taken from the game, we played some good football, defended well for the majority of the game and created a fair few chances.
Next up West Allotment Celtic FC who gained a 3-0 win against Penrith FC on their return to the first division.