Captain John Jury attacks down the left in the first half of the match.
Saturday, 13 December 2014
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA: Brown (2) Penrith: Coleman.
Please click here for photos from the match.
This match could not have gone ahead without the commitment of the Groundstaff at SRCA, they worked wonders in preparing the pitch and the only doubt in the referee's mind was an area of about 2 metres in the top corner. Once the players started warming up it softened and the game went ahead. Albeit 15 minutes late due to traffic problem encountered by Penrith's team bus.
RCA were once again forced to make changes with Wray, Wood and Charlton all unavailable. Richardson started in the centre of defence, Davis moved into the centre of midfield and Coe made a welcome return after injury to start on the right wing.
The game kicked off with RCA kicking down the slope and immediately looking to push forward but Penrith were well organised at the back and in the opening exchanges looked fairly comfortable.
The first real chance of the game came after 6 minutes when, makeshift centre forward, Preston picked the ball up on the left wing, looked up, and seeing Coe unmarked on the opposite wing, drilled a 40 yard pass into path of Coe who controlled the ball before driving in a ferocious shot which went inches over the bar.
Penrith's response was almost immediate, Hope sending a diagonal ball toward Simpson but he was fouled on the edge of the area. Coleman stepped up and fired in a low shot under the RCA defensive wall towards the bottom corner of the goal but Carmichael somehow manged to get a hand to the ball and turn it round the post for a corner.
It was end to end play with both teams pushing player forward looking for the elusive opening goal.
In the 20th minute RCA were awarded a freekick on the left which was taken by Bythway, his floated cross was met by the unmarked Brown but he could only direct his header wide of the upright.
Five minutes later and RCA were awarded another freekick on the left when Callen was fouled, Armstrong took the kick, it was met by Callen who powered in a header which produced a fantastic save from Richardson in the Penrith goal.
Penrith came back at RCA and almost opened the scoring in the 38th minute when Colemen laid the ball off to Smith who thundered in a shot inches wide of the upright.
As the game moved towrd half time the chances were few and far between as both teams looked to be cancelling each other out.
In the 44th minute a long ball forward by Davidson toward Coleman was well covered by Brown who played the ball away, however the referee spotted an infringement and cautions the RCA central defender. Penrith moved the ball a good 10 yards to the right before taking the kick which Coleman clipped well over the bar.
The second half started well for RCA, Armstrong and Callen combined to set Hughes free on the left and when the striker burst into the box he was impeded by a Penrith defender and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Brown stepped up and blasted the ball into the bottom corner of the net sending Richardson the wrong way.
Three minutes later and a ball into the box by Armstrong was chased down by Bythway and in committing to going for the ball he collided with the Penrith keeper who came off worse and was substituted.
Penrith started to mount attacks kicking down the slope and when Hope dribbled past three player the writing looked on the wall for an equaliser but his shot was brilliantly saved by Carmichael, turning the ball round the post for a corner.
Although the corner was cleared it fell invitingly for Wainwright who struck a low shot goalwards but Carmichael once again was on hand to make a great save.
Penrith got their equaliser through the second penalty of the game when Kelly sent a hopeful ball into the box toward Coleman he went to ground a was adjudged to have been fouled. Coleman blasted the ball low from the penalty spot and although Carmichael guessed right he dove over the ball.
RCA almost regained the lead 3 minutes later when a goalkick By Penrith's substitute Newton was collected by Davis who sent the ball quickly forward where Preston was able to flick the ball on to hughes who struck a cross shot which Newton got a hand to preventing it going into the net and the ball was cleared by Paul.
Within a minute RCA had retook the lead when Hughes picked up the ball from a throw in drifted past a Penrith defender who hauled him to the ground inside the penalty area. The third penalty of the game was despatched into the bottom corner of the box by Brown.
Penrith started to commit players forward in a effort to get an equaliser and it was only a massive performance from the RCA defence that kept them at bay. Carmichael pulled off a great save from a shot by Coleman and the rebound was cleared off the line by Jury.
RCA should have increased their lead in the 75 minute when a cross into the box by Jury was met by Coe but he fired across the face of the goal and inches wide of the goal.
Back down the other end and Carmichael was called into action again as Hope volleyed in a terrific shot which the RCA keeper turned round the post for a corner.
In the 80 minute Callen should have sealed the points for RCA when he found himself free in the box with only the keeper to beat, the ball seemed to stick in the mud and Davidson was able to recover and put in a clearing challenge.
Back came Penrith down the left with Wainwright, his cross into the box was headed away by Brown, the ball fell to Hope whose shot was deflected for a corner, in the goal mouth scramble that followed Jury managed to get in a great block to stop Simpson's shot and in doing so was injured.
In the final minutes RCA ran down the clock, taking the ball into the corners and taking the resulting corners / throw-ins short.
This was not a classic, but in the conditions and given the circumstances this was a great win and a much needed three point for RCA.
Some outstanding performances from Brown and Carmichael ably supported by every other RCA player. A battling team performance which deserved the points although Penrith supporters might not agree.
Next up is Consett on Tuesday.