Sunderland RCA outshine Dunston in Pre-Season Match
Pre-season friendly
23 July 2009
Sunderland RCA travelled to Northern League Div I Dunston UTS for their second pre season friendly and came away with an emphatic 3 - 1 win. On a lovely summer evening the crowd were entertained by some good football by both teams but it was RCA who took the spoils.
Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match
A cagey opening spell by both teams suddenly burst into life when a screamer of a shot from Dunston full back Taylor was brilliantly saved by Hoggeth after 10 minutes. This spurred RCA into action and a jinxy run from Stewart ended in him crossing for Davison to beat Connell to make it 1-0. It could have been 2 -0 moments later when the same two players combined but this time Davison headed wide.
Dunston's only reply was a cross cum shot from Sheeran which was easily dealt with by Hoggeth.
RCA were easily the better team and defensively gave little away, even when temporarily down to ten men when trialist Noble was receiving treatment for a nose bleed.
Taylor shot wide after some good work by Halliday had set him up and Davison, who was causing major problems for the Dunston defence, was again unlucky shooting narrowly wide.
It was not unexpected when RCA increased their lead on the half hour with a slick passing movement started by McGuinness and ending with a low shot from Stewart which left the keeper stranded.
RCA had further chances to wrap the game up with Stewart firing wide, Davison having a 25 yard shot well saved by Connell and Taylor missing the target when clean through.
Dunston came back strong in the final minutes of the half and Preen wouild have scored but for a reaction save from Hoggett sending the ball round the post for a corner. The ball was then cleared off the line by Noble from a Sheeran header and RCA were able to clear.
The Managers of both teams made changes at half time to give everyone a chance but, unlike the Shields game when RCA fell away after the break, this time the momentum was maintained.
Dunston did start the better in the second half and it was only some stout defending by Wardle and Reay that denied Bulford on three seperate occassion in the first 5 minutes.
Having whethered the storm RCA reverted to the passing game that they had used to great effect in the first half and Stewart, now operating on the right wing, crossed for Davison but his flick on was well saved.
McLean was brought into action, having to punch clear from a corner with Collins threatening at the near post.
An injury to Coghlan meant a reshuffle in defence and this gave Dunston a slight lift and they got on top for the first time in the match. However, RCA managed to hang on until the 85th minute when during a goalmouth scamble Laws blasted the ball home. RCA's response was emphatic Stewart burst forward, beat two player before sending his shot narrowly wide.
Two minutes later a supurb crossfield ball from McGuinness found Stewart on the right wing, again he cut inside and this time found the bottom corner to finish the scoring.
A resounding victory and an all round excellent team performance which proves that there is strength in depth in the team.