FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup - Third Round
Sunday 14 December 2008
RCA's run in the F.A. Carlsberg Sunday Cup came to an end with a dissappointing home defeat to Heywood Irish Centre (Huddersfield) by four goals to nil.
The pitch was passed playable by match referee Neil Sharp, but the surface was very wet and would no doubt cause problems for both sides. It was RCA who started the brighter with a Willie Crew header being cleared off the line after five mins and a couple of half chances which were comfotably dealt with by Heywood keeper Ashe. Heywood then began to get a grip and their midfield were winning all the important battles and releasing their extremely fast forwards. After a couple of scares, when centre forward Ashley Flynn latched on to quickly released passes only to be denied by resolute defending and goalkeeping, it was no real surprise when he was again released early to control and round home keeper Errington to slot home for the opener after 20 minutes. His partner in crime, Darren Hennighan, was put through not long after, but was forced wide by Errington and put his effort into the side netting.
It was becoming clear that RCA needed to get to half time only one goal down, so as to re-organise for the second half kicking with the slope, but their hopes were dashed after 35 minutes when, after clearing a corner, Heywood were given the ball back and a cross from the left eluded a static RCA defence and keeper to allow Adam Bell to head in from virtually on the line.
2-0 to Heywood at half time and they probably deserved if the truth be known.
RCA come out determinedly in the second half and pressurised for prolonged periods, but without ever producing the quality needed to breach a resolute Heywood back line. An unfortunate slip by home keeper Errington, whose feet just went from underneath him as he came out to collect a simple through ball under no pressure, presented Darren Hennighan with the simple task of walking the ball into the net and effectively kill the tie after 75 minutes.
RCA stuck to their task until the end but conceded a fourth when Ashley Flynn was again released through the inside right channel to finish with aplomb. Things went totally pear shaped when RCA's Phil Hall was shown an inexplicable red card near the end for something said to the referee.
Never mind though, in the end the best team won and we wish Heywood all the best for the further rounds in the competition, thank them for a sporting contest and hope they enjoyed our hospitality.
Bring it on for next year!!