Saturday, 28 March 2015
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA: Hughes, Marske: Brunskill (2), Owens.
RCA, without the services of Michael Charlton (family commitment), made a number of changes to the team who earned a draw at Penrith on Wednesday, in came Richardson, Wood and Larkin to replace, Charlton, Davis and Hughes.
High flying Marske United FC were looking to increase their chances of a top three finish and maintain the pressure on the teams at the top.
The one factor which destroyed any chance of good football today was the weather, with a gale force wind to contend with the players, at times, did well just to keep upright.
Marske took advantage of the wind in the first half and used it, in the early stages, to good effect putting the RCA defence under pressure by sending long balls forward into the heart of the penalty area.
The wind, if anything, was getting stronger as the half progressed and RCA were finding it difficult to get th ball out of their own half.
Marske had a few half chances in the opening 15 minutes, but with the ball running away from the strikers the shots went halmlessly wide of Carmichael's goal.
Inevitably, Marske took the lead in the 19th minute when a freekick from O'Sullivan went straight over the top of everyone's head and landed in front of Owens who took controll of the ball before firing low past Carmichael.
Within minutes it was 2 - 0. A long throw-in from O'Sullivan was partially cleared by Preston, the reaction header by Owens was headed off the line by Bythway, but Brunskill on the edge of the six yeard area made no mistake with his header which rocketed into the top corner of the net.
With the game getting scrappier by the minute and the wind showing no signs of abating there was little in the way of goalmouth action and neither keeper was called on until the 40th minute when another long ball out of defence by Marske fell kindly for Garvie who struck a tremendous drive which Carmichael did well to turn round the post for a corner.
RCA were also trying to get some sort of passing game together. A slick move between Larkin and Wood set Callen away into the box, he beat one defender and in the process of turning to get a cross looked to be fouled, however the referee wave away the strong RCA protests and the ball was cleared.
In the final minute of the half it took some good defending to stop Marske taking a three goal lead. A corner to the back post was headed back towards into the six yard box by Johnston. Garvie was the first to react but his shot was blocked by Jury.
RCA started the second half on the attack and in the 47th minute were awarded a freekick on the edge of the box, Armstrong took the kick and Dean saved.
Minutes later RCA were awarded another free kick on the edge of the box. This time Bythway took the kick which hit the wall, rebounded to Bythway who played the ball out wide Bogie who tried to side foot his shot home but Dean saved, this time the rebound fell to Wood but his effort on goal was blocked for a corner.
With RCA pressing forward looking to get something out of the game they were leaving space at the back, Brunskill almost exploited it in the 58th minute when he ran onto a long clearance from Johnston before sending in a shot which well over the bar.
Within a minute of this incident and Marske wrapped up all three points as they swept forward, the ball played out to the left where Kelly moved forward before sending in a tantalising cross which was met by Brunskill who slid the ball home from close range to make it 3-0.
RCA kept plugging away, but with the wind dying down it looked fairly comfortable for Marske as the game progressed.
In the 84th minute RCA got a late consolation goal when Larkin slid the ball into Hughes who turned the defender before stabbing the ball past a bewildered Dean and into the far corner of the net.
Another goal might have caused a few hearts to flutter in the Marske dug out, but Dean was able to deal with everything that came his way in the final five minutes.
RCA weren't helped by the windy condition today but in all honesty they were beaten by a team brimming with confidence and two in form strikers.
Had the penalty been awarded near the end of the first half then the game may have taken a different course, we will never know.
We play Maske again on Tuesday night when hopefully there will be less wind, but no promises.