Alex Nelson prevents a Thornaby attack with a well-timed challenge.
RCA were back in league action after the trials and tribulations of the close encounter against Bishop Auckland in the FA Vase which saw them knocked out of the competition at the first hurdle.
Today’s opponents were on a run of four consecutive League defeats, while RCA are unbeaten in their last four league games. So the home fans could be forgiven for thinking that this might be a little easier that last week’s match. As we have seen in other games, form counts for nothing in this league.
Both the manager and assistant manager were unavailable for this match and it was left up to the Goalkeeping coach to name the team. His job was not made any easier with Patton, Fryatt and Lavery missing and Davison not quite 100% fit.
The teams lined up as follows:
Sunderland RCA: Marrs, Allen, Charlton (c), Bennett, Hall, Jakab, Morris, Moan, Annang-Colquhoun, Charmey, Guy. Subs: Nelson, Lawrence, Richards, Best, Davison.
Thornaby: Hunt, McNeill, McAvoy, Jatta, M Frazer, J Frazer, Pickett, Connor, Hutchinson, Davis, Hogan. Subs: Petterson, Flounders, Gamble, Edwards.
The visitors took advantage of the wind and the slope in the first half and in glorious sunshine on a billiard board of a pitch they immediately took the game to RCA. In their opening attack J Frazer threaded a lovely weighted pass beyond a very square looking RCA defence and into the path of Hutchinson who fired in a low shot which Marrs turned round the post for a corner. The corner kick was floated to the back post where Hutchinson was left unmarked and it took a good block challenge by Charlton to prevent the Thornaby striker from opening the scoring.
RCA responded through Annang-Colquhoun who latched onto a long ball forward from Allen, controlled the ball well on the edge of the box before hitting a dipping shot which bobbled in front of Hunt who was relieved to scramble the ball round the upright for a corner which was cleared by McAvoy.
Thornaby pushed forward again looking to get an early goal and their persistence in playing the ball long and into space had the RCA defence on the back foot all the time.
RCA, having weathered the early pressure of Thornaby, created a five minute spell of pressure which should have seen them take the lead, a wonderful passage of play saw Allen play the ball to Annang-Colquhoun who cut the ball back to Morris who lined the ball up for Allen, who had continued his run but his curling shot brushed the paint off the crossbar.
Minutes later and RCA were awarded a freekick which was taken by Charmey and played onto the head of Jakab but his header was straight at Hunt.
The visitors again picked up the pace of the game and ball out by Hunt was flicked on by Davis into the path of Pickett but he fired wide when in a great position.
Two minutes later and a ball forward by McAvoy was picked up by Hogan who raced forward before crossing to the far post where Davis controlled the ball under no pressure but his shot was blocked by Allen.
Another route one ball from Marrs found Guy in a bit of space but his effort was easily saved by Hunt.
RCA’s really should have opened the scoring in the 25th minute when, against the run of play, they produced a brilliant piece of interplay between Annang-Colquhoun and Guy with Annang-Colquhoun playing a superb through ball to Charmey who from eight yards out only had to hit the target but instead went for the top corner and the ball flew over the bar.
McAvoy was the next to join in the attacking action of Thornaby as he was allowed to run 30 yards before hitting a shot which took a deflection off Jakab and went out for a corner which was cleared by Hall.
With RCA struggling to get their game out of first gear, the game became very scrappy with a number of deliberate fouls penalized by the referee. One such incident led to a freekick for RCA was taken by Charmey who played the ball square to Guy who in turn laid the ball off to Morris, who struck a crisp half volley which struck the crossbar and rebounded to Charlton he aimed his cross to Annang-Colquhoun unmarked inside the six yard area but Hunt somehow managed to grab the ball off the head of the RCA striker.
As the game progressed there was little in the way of further chances as both teams seemed to lack the final pass / shot to trouble either keeper. However Thornaby almost capitalized on a freak situation when the ball was played forward and Marrs raced out of his area but his header went straight up in the air but luckily he was able to get his head to the ball a second time in front of Davis and Allen cleared the ball forward.
In the 39th minute Thornaby were awarded a corner, RCA switched off as the visitors took it short to McAvoy, who hooked the ball low into the box and cool as you like J Frazer calmly stroked the ball into the net with the RCA defence standing flatfooted.
The second half started excellently for the visitors. A good ball forward by Jatta was picked up by Hogan who had drifted into space before unleashing a terrific shot which flew over the bar.
Three minutes later and they doubled their lead when Jatta and M Frazer combined to break through the RCA midfield before playing the ball beyond the RCA defence and once again Hutchinson was on hand to collect the ball before driving it past Marrs.
RCA’s response was very limited, a freekick from Charlton found Moan but his weak header was easily saved by Hunt who proceeded to switch play to the other end of the pitch where Marrs had to race out to clear. Guy picked up a long ball forward before curling it onto the head of Bennett but he couldn’t hit the target.
Thornaby should have made it 3-0 in the 70th minute when a great forward move had RCA backpeddling and Jatta found a great pass out to McAvoy who hit a stunning shot which rattled the cross bar before being cleared by Bennett.
Minutes later and a rampant Thornaby forced a corner on the right which was whipped in and M Frazer headed inches over the bar.
RCA’s only contribution in front of goal came in the 88th minute when pass by Charlton was met by Annang-Colquhoun whose effort looked destined for the top corner until Hunt got a fingertip to it and diverted it for a corner.
Deep into injury time Thornaby rubbed salt into the wounds by once again splitting the RCA defence with a simple through ball and Hutchinson was on hand to bury the ball into the net for his second and Thornaby’s third.
It’s difficult to put a finger on the reasons why we always seem to struggle against Thornaby. Maybe it’s that they have no significant height up front or that they are quicker than our defenders. We were guilty of switching off at crucial times in the match and the Thornaby tactic of playing the ball into the channel at every opportunity paid off for them.
Maybe our Chairman hit the nail on the head when he said that RCA never win when the manager is missing and that goes right back to the Neil Hixon days.
One thing is for certain we don’t have a lot of time to put it right with our next game against Tow Law Town on Tuesday, 4 October 2022 with a 7.30pm kick off.