Sunderland Sunday League
Sunday 11 January 2009
RCA The Barnes had to make changes for their game against League leaders Redhouse CIU. With both Anthony Teasdale and Mark Robinson injured, manager Ray Hartley drafted in Ross Hughes and Matty Stevens into his midfield five and retained a back three of Surtees, Curtis and young Dunn with Crew and Place up front.
The game started with Redhouse on the front foot from the off with RCA struggling to get a hold of the ball and Stephen Lewis in Redhouse's midfield running the show. It was no surprise when his free kick was easily headed back across goal for Redhouse's centre half to tap home from close range to give them a 20th minute lead. This seemed to shake off the lethargy that RCA seemed to be carrying and slowly they came more into the game, despite having to re-organise when Alan Surtees had to come off shortly afterwards with a groin strain and Gary Tyzack coming on to go to right back in a re-shaped formation that saw Paul Hartley move to left back in a flat back four.
Mark McLeod started to see more of the ball in midfield and when Willie Crew was fed a through ball in the inside right channel, he held off strong Redhouse challenges to fire across the keeper into the far left corner to equalise for RCA after 35 minutes.
H-T: 1-1
RCA then had to defend against the strong wind in the second half and worked their socks off against a strong Redhouse offensive with keeper Chris Errington again showing why he is probably regarded as the best in the division with a string of fine saves. RCA where still a threat on the break and from one such when the ball broke to Martin 'Marni' Metcalfe, 25 yards out in a central position, he bought a ticket and rifled in an unstoppable shot to put RCA 2-1 ahead after 65 minutes.
Redhouse reacted by throwing on more offensive subs and pressed for an equaliser, but RCA defenders amnd keeper held firm. Indeed,they should have wrapped it all up when Andy Place fired over the bar when he should have done better and then Willie Crew broke free with only the keeper to beat, but was indicisive and allowed the keeper and a defender to block him out. As the final whistle was approaching Redhouse had one more chance from a free kick 25 yards out that was perfectly hit only for Chris Errington to fling himself to his right and palm away to keep the 2-1 lead intact and record an excellent victory for RCA.