Keaton Marrs punches clear a Guisborough Town free kick.
Another trip into North Yorkshire this time to play Guisborough Town who are currently on a three game winning streak, while we have suffered three defeats in a row.
A massive selection problem for the management team in defence, with Allen the only recognised central defender fully fit, the late signing of Assistant Manager Dan Madden eased the situation although he has not played for over a year.
With suspensions and injuries we were once again down to the bare bones.
So the teams lined up as follows:
Guisborough Town: Cowey, Cann, Blackford, Hood ©, Frazer, O’Sullivan, Fielding, Mohammed, Diccico. Kiernan, Scaife-Wheatley. Subs: Blackburn, Bailey, Best, Dick
Sunderland RCA: Marrs, Nelson, Charlton, Allen, Madden, Trewick, Bennett, Moan, Annang-Colquhoun, Fryatt, Lavery. Subs: Richards, Davison, Kharufa, Ezard.
A miserable day at the King George V ground saw a disjointed start to the game with neither side managing to create any meaningful attacks.
With 15 minutes on the clock Blackford moved forward with the ball before crossing into the box where Madden was able to clear the danger with Diccico ready to pounce on any mistakes.
RCA's first shot was in the 22nd minute when a ball in from Bennett was met by Fryatt but he fired well wide if the target.
A minute later at the other end Wheatley picked up a defensive clearance on the edge of the box but he also fired wide.
A dismal first half was almost lit up when Lavery hooked a ball to the far post where a marauding Nelson managed to get a head to the ball but could only direct his header across the face of goal and out for a goalkick.
The game was becoming a midfield battle with both defences coping well with poor long ball tactics from both sides.
A Guisborough freekick on the edge of the box was smashed over the bar and into the trees.
Fryatt had RCA’s next chance picking up a loose ball before striking the ball goalward, it deflected up off a defender forcing a good save from Cowey.
The second half really had to be better than the first; hopefully someone had hidden the referee’s whistle as he had a habit of blowing it every 25 seconds or so.
Guisborough powered out of the blocks at the start of the second half taking the lead inside the opening two minutes. A ball forward by Blackford was controlled by Diccico who squared it to Kiernan and he drilled a low shot just inside the Marrs’ right hand post.
RCA responded with their best move of the game so far when Trewick won the ball and it fell to Fryatt who slipped the ball forward to Annang-Colquhoun who outpaced the home defence before hitting a good shot which Cowey saved well diving to his right.
Blackford was causing problems with his crossfield runs and in the 54th minute he weaved his way past three players before shooting wide.
In the 59th minute RCA almost scored direct from a corner, Lavery’s curling cross striking the crossbar before being hooked clear.
Two minutes later Blackford made another mazy run across field before again firing wide.
A clever ball from Madden over the top of the home defence was picked up by the limping Annang-Colquhoun who cut inside before curling a shot which was heading for the top corner before Cowey produced an excellent save palming the ball behind for a corner. Annang-Colquhoun was immediately replaced by Davison.
The first corner was cleared for another corner which Lavery took sending the ball toward Davison but Frazer headed out for a third corner, with the focus of attention on Madden and Davison, Lavery sent in a deeper cross which was met by Moan who powered the ball into the net for the RCA equaliser.
The game again became fractious with both teams guilty of niggly fouls and the referee constantly stopping play for minor infringements usually around the positioning of throw in's and freekicks.
However RCA had a good opportunity to take the lead when Bennett’s cross was headed out by Blackford but fell to Davison who hit a low drive just wide of the post.
The introduction of Richards almost paid dividends when the youngster broke down the right before crossing into the box, Cowey flapped at the cross and it fell to Lavery who drove the ball back across the box into a crowd of players and the ball was stabbed clear by Hood.
A short firework display brightened up proceedings with 10 minutes to go and the slight interruption seemed the benefit the Guisborough Town players as they moved forward with some purpose, Cann playing the ball forward to Kiernan inside the box he turned and hit a low shot towards the near post which Marrs managed to get a foot to and clear.
Disaster for the visitors in the 87th minute. A quick throw in to Fielding whose cross into the box was met with a glancing header from Kiernan, the ball struck Nelson and somehow ended up in the net.
The drama didn’t end there as a minute later Moan was dismissed for a second caution when challenging for the ball, compounding the disappointment of the defeat.
Another foray into north Yorkshire and another defeat on the road. More disturbing is the fact that we have now received six dismissals in the last four games, all of which we have lost.
We need to address this problem. Yes Referee standards are not what we are used to, Yes the standard of assistant referee’s has dropped this season, but the longer we dwell on the decisions of the Officials the more we become distracted from our football and this gives an advantage to the opposition.
The commitment of the players who turned up for this match cannot be questioned; they put in 100% effort for no reward. There were some excellent performances out there today and if we keep performing to the high standards that were set out at the start of the season we will turn this around and results will follow.
Next up is Newcastle Benfield at home on Tuesday, 8th November 2022: kick off 7.30pm.