RCA winger Michael Charlton in determined competition for the ball with Synthonia's ex-RCA man Tom Marron.
Saturday, 4 April 2015
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goals Scoreres: SRCA: Larkin, Callen, Davis. Synners: Sweet.
Please click here for photos from the match.
RCA travelled down the A19 to Billingham Synthonia's Motif8 Stadium for this all important Ebac Northern League fixture. With the two teams occupying 19th and 20th positions it promised to be a nail-biting affair.
The manager made only one change to the team that played so magnificently on Tuesday against Marske United with fit again Colin Larkin replacing Joseph Hughes.
Two players were making the 100 appearances today, Ross Preston for RCA and Steven Huggins for Billingham Synthonia.
In beautiful conditions, a far cry from the last two matches, RCA made a good start, an early freekick on the edge of the box was lined up by Bythway but uncharacteristically he fired over the bar.
Two minutes into the game and a long ball forward from ex-RCA player McNab was flicked on by by another ex-RCA player Marron into the path of Newby but he blazed the ball wide of the target.
A great flowing move by RCA exposed Synners, Wood and Megran combined on the right before wood played a wonderful ball through to Callen but Burke saved well to deny the opening goal.
CA took the lead three minutes later when they were awarded a free kick just inside the Billingham half, Bythway took the kick sending it low to Larkin who controlled it turned and fired in a tremendous drive which gave Burke no chance as it rocketed into the top corner of the net.
Synners responded with an equaliser in the 17th minute, a cross field run by Hughes saw him drift past three defenders before passing the ball into the penalty area to Edwards who was fouled by Wood and the referee pointed to the spot. Sweet stepped up to power home to record his 34th goal of the season.
RCA looked to regroup after this setback and the game got a little tied down in midfield, in the 25th minute another flowing move from RCA saw Charlton pick up the ball on the left, play the ball to Jury who side footed it to Megran who tried to set up Wood but some excellent defending by Rowbotham blocked the wingers progress.
In RCA's next attack Callen was fouled, Bythway launched the kick into the box where it was met by Abel who headed it out but only as far as Charlton who set the ball up for Larkin but once again Rowbiotham was able to get in a block and the ball was cleared.
On the half hour Synners almost took the lead, RCA were caught in possession from a throw in and the ball was moved quickly to the other end of the pitch where Hughes picked up the ball before crossing into the path of Marron but he fired wide of the post. The same combination almost produced a goal, Hughes took a right wing corner which went to the far side of the box where Marron was waiting, luckily for RCA Richardson was able to get his body in the way to deflect the shot for another corner.
After these two scares RCA produced two chances of their own, Wood on the right wing sent in a cross which forced Burke to tip onto the bar and the ball was scrambled away for a corner. Megran took a short corner to Charlton who drove it low into the box where Callen reacted before the Synners defence to get a touch on the ball which steered it into the bottom corner under the body of Burke.
The second half started fairly quietly, RCA were forced to make a substitution with Joe Hughes replacing the injured Charlton.
Almost immediately Joe Hughes was in action as he picked up a ball from Jury, burst past two defenders before forcing a fine save from Burke.
The home team responded from the keepers throw out to Bettson, he found Sweet who laid the ball off to Newby who fired in a dipping shot which went just over the bar.
In the 62nd minute, RCA increased their lead when J Hughes again raced into the opposition penalty area after receiving a return pass from Callen, he looked up and sent the ball across the face of goal to Davis who blasted the ball into the net from close range.
RCA where back in control of the game and reduced the synners attack to long range efforts, a corner was headed away by Bythway and fell to Huggins who missed the target from 25 yards out.
Within minute that man J Hughes was in the thick of the action again receiving a pass from Callen he turned and dribbled his way into a shooting position but Burke was able to make a comfortable save. Then a through ball from Jury found the speedy striker but once again Burke made the save to deny J Hughes.
Synners only real chance of the second half came when a ball into the box from K Hughes was flicked on by Edwards to Sweet but the Synners star striker could only watch as Carmichael tipped the ball wide for a corner.
The game looked to have run its course as neither team produced any real chances until the final minutes of the game, a Megran corner was sent to the far post where Davis met it with a sweet volley which bounced to safety off Burke's legs and in the final minute of the game Sweet played in K Hughes but he shot just past the post.
Another good display by the lads; under pressure to produce the goods they did not disappoint. this result almsot certainly means first division survival. Mathematically Synners can still catch us but they will need to win both their games against Penrith and Morpeth.
We need to get 1 point from our remaining 6 matches which, given our performances of late, should not be to difficult.
Next up on Tuesday, Ashington AFC at Meadow Park. 7.30pm kick off.