Tuesday, 14 April 2015
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA: Davis, Callen. Whitley Bay: Kempster.
RCA welcomed Whitley Bay to Meadow Park for their re-arranged fixture. With both teams safe for another season there was a chance for the respective managers to look at their team with a view to next season.
RCA management team made only one change from the team who played so well at Crook Town, Bythway being replaced by Richardson at left back. This meant that Morris deservedly retained the number one Jersey after his clean sheet performance at Crook.
The home team took advantage of the slope in the first half but it was the visitors who struck first, a fast paced counter attack in the fourth minute saw the ball moved from Laws to Robinson, he switched the ball wide to Bird who crossed into the box where Kempster was on hand to head home from inside the six yard area.
Four minutes later and a Richardson freekick was headed back across the goal by Davis and Reid, the Bay centre half, forced a great save from his own keeper, McCafferty who tipped the ball over the bar for a corner.
Whitley Bay were starting to threaten through Bird and Robinson and in the 10th minute almost doubled their lead when Bird slipped the ball forward into the path of Watling but the Bay forward's shot was parried away by Morris who picked up the ball at the second attempt.
RCA responded with a flurry of attacks down the slope, Davis picking up a long ball side footed it into the path of Larkin but Laws was able to block and clear. Within a minute RCA were back on the attack this time it was Callen who controlled a pass from Richardson, before setting up Hughes but that man Laws was in the road again. In the next attack Hughes set up Callen who fired in a low shot which McCafferty saved.
With wind starting to play its part in the game the match became a midfield battle which nobody seemed able to win and the ball was rarely in either teams penalty area.
For all their possession RCA could not find the final ball which would unlock the Bay defence.
On the half hour, with the pattern of play established, RCA attack Whitley Bay defend, a great passing move between Jury and Larkin paved the way for Hughes to have a pop at goal, but his shot was well saved by McCafferty.
RCA continued to press but the Bay defence held firm, a freekick on the edge of the box was curled narrowly over the bar by Larkin and then, minutes later a freekick from the opposite of the area was controlled by Callen who spun and shot but Mccafferty was equal to the effort.
Whitley Bay looked to be playing for the half time whistle and the chance to attack down the slope, while RCA continued to look for the equaliser before the break.
The half finished with a near miss, Larkin picked up a quickly taken corner and whipped in a cross which Davis missed by inches as he flung himself forward in a effort to connect.
RCA started the second half as they finished the first, attacking up the slope they created a good chance in the 47th minute Hughes sprinted with the ball into space on the left before checking back and finding Davis on the edge of the box but his shot was easily cleared.
Bay with the advantage of the slope moved forward with more purpose in the second period and when Robinson slipped the ball through to Kempster he hit a terrific shot which Morris did brilliantly to fingertip over the bar. From the resulting corner the ball was driven straight to Laws who hit a first time effort low towards goal but Morris was on hand again, this time saving with his feet, the ball flying wide for another corner.
RCA were awarded a corner of their own two minutes later and Davis took the kick, it was met by Preston who headed past McCafferty, but the ball was headed off the line by Day.
The game was flowing from end to end and it was Whitley Bay who had the next real attack, Robinson burst through two tackles in midfield before squaring to the ball to Bird who set the ball up for Watling but the Bay striker fired wide of the target.
Then came the moment that the home fans had been waiting for, Rowe played the ball to Charlton who ran at the Bay defence before slipping the ball forward into the path of Davis who, cool as you like, slotted the ball home from 12 yards out.
At this point in the game RCA were playing probably their best football of the season, passing and moving, creating space and with that came chances, a good move between Davis and Larkin saw the ball past across to Charlton but Laws was able to block the shot.
Then Larkin set up Callen with a ball over the top but he shot wide of the goal.
With game heading towards the final few minutes RCA conjoured up another great passing move. Rowe won the ball in midfield, Megran picked up the loose ball, sprayed a great pass out to Davis who took the ball forward to towards the bye line before passing it back to Armstrong who fired in a shot cum cross and Callen nipped in to stab the ball home from close range.
The Bay were not finished and they poured forward looking for the equaliser in the final minutes of the game and it took two brilliant headers off the line by Jury to keep the RCA lead in tact.
With the final kick of the game Callen was fed the ball inside the area by Larkin and although he beat the keeper the ball rebounded off the inside of the post and the referee blew for full time.
All in all an entertaining match with RCA deservedly winning against a decent Whitley Bay outfit.
This might send out a strong message to the teams at the top of the league who we still have to play, we have nothing to lose now and are playing with that freedom which comes with confidence.
Next up a hard game against Consett at home.