26th September 2009
skilltrainingltd Northern League Div II
RCA were forced to make three changes for the visit of Whickham for today's match. In came Club Captain Stephen Halliday for the injured Coghlan, Ashley Davis started in place of McGuinness who was on holiday and Liam Mcbryde took over at centre forward from the injured Taylor.
The game started in beautiful sunshine with RCA taking advantage of the slope in the first half and it was not long before they were on the attack with a crossfield ball from Halliday finding Davies on the left wing, his cross was met by Davison, but his header was saved by Cresswell.
In the 10th minute another good ball from midfield found McBryde on the right and his cross was headed over the bar by Davison.
RCA took the lead after 15 minutes when a surging run by Richards left the Whickham defence in disarray, his cross found McBryde at the far post and he headed goalwards, Stewart made sure nipping to head home from close range.
The Whickham response was immediate with Tait firing wide from 15 yards out and within a minute they put pressure on the RCA defence and a mistake was almost punished by Laws, but he fired straight at McLean.
RCA had the ball in the net when McBryde rose high above Andison and headed home only for the linesman to flag for an infringement.
Late in the half a lovely cross from Stewart found Davies inside the six yard box, but he could only guide the ball onto the bar and into the waiting arms of Cresswell and a minute later the same player shot across the face of goal. McBryde had another goal disallowed when he ghosted in at the back post to score from a well taken corner. The referee awarded a freekick for a foul on the keeper. However, on the hour mark McBryde got the goal that his efforts deserved when he latched onto a pass from Stewart and although Cresswell saved the first shot he followed up and slide the ball home.
Within a minute RCA were 3 - 0 up when Richards hit an unstoppable 25 yard screamer which the goalkeeper never saw.
Only some brilliant saves from Cresswell kept the score at 3 - 0, firstly a point blank save from Shields and then he saved with his feet from Stewart.
Chances were coming and being squandered by a rampant RCA and Whickham were struggling to keep up with the pace of the game.
To their credit they stuck at it and as the game entered the final five minutes they started to put pressure on the RCA defence. Swanston had probably the best chance when he went clear of the defence, but decided to shoot when there were two team mates in a better position in front of goal and his effort went wide.
