Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup Round Two
As other Northern League Cup fixtures fell by the wayside this evening, due to waterlogged pitches, we were very pleased to be at Hebburn Sports Club tonight on a pitch that showed up very well on arrival. Several members of the RCA squad were more than happy that the game was going ahead. U18 Youth players - goalkeeper Graeme Pickering plus defenders Liam Dunn, Marc Moon with midfielders Jonny Davis and Ryan Mather all being called up for their second taste of first team action in a month. New signing, forward Peter Benson was also selected to make his debut for the team. Club Captain Scott Richards was also back in the squad for the first time in over a month.
Pickering, Dunn and Davis made it to the starting eleven and it was pleasing to see Wayne Henderson also in the line up having been out of competitive action since August. Centre midfielder Michael Coghlan also started for the first time in a few weeks, having fully recovered from injury.
The level of buoyancy from RCA was transferred straight into the game and after kicking off, the visitors immediately made progress into the Hebburn half. In the second minute Wayne Henderson played a ball through the centre that split the Hebburn defence wide open and the league’s current top scorer Mark Davison was on it quick wasting no time, hitting a great 25 yard effort that Kevin Duncan in goal, dived to his left glancing the ball onto the post. RCA’s first corner and when Steven Stewart hit the centre in, the ball was half cleared to the same player this time he beat the full back then pulled the ball across for Benson who calmly swept the ball home. A real lively start continued as minutes later Dunn from right full back played Benson in again, beating the offside trap he hit an early shot from distance that went a yard past the post. Hebburn responded for the first time after 10 minutes, midfielder Keith Oliver linking with forward Shaun Carroll who running onto goal was only thwarted by a great last ditch tackle from Paul Wardle. Coghlan in midfield for RCA was showing great energy and after several passes were exchanged in midfield, the same player received the ball out wide right. Well even David Beckham couldn’t have hit a cross field pass like it, 60 yards at least over the head of the left fullback where Stewart took down superbly before playing Davison in on the edge of the box and he slotted home with aplomb. 2 – 0 to RCA and celebrations all round. Hebburn were fighting hard to keep in contention and minutes later a further cross was delivered into Davison who rose well but headed over. The home side regrouped and some good play down the right from Karl McMann ended up with a fine delivery that Graeme Matthewson hit on the volley just wide of the post. However after 25 minutes RCA moved downfield and again Stewart was the antagonist, turning defenders both ways before hitting a raking cross which Davison got up and despatched his header into the net. 3 – 0 and Hebburn supporters must have been thinking lightning could happen twice, with memories of the RCA 8 – 1 rout in August flooding back.
The game really opened up now and the end to end play really entertained the supporters. After Hebburn again moved down the right a further cross was met by Willie Crew who headed wide. In a counter attack on 35 minutes, Hebburn moved down the left where the fullback and winger appear to get in each others way forcing the ball out of play. The official flagged for a home throw and whilst the RCA players stopped to appeal, the full back threw the ball over the defence and Carroll raced into the box and coolly slotted home. Chaos for a short period and a couple of bookings ensued which were not in line with the general flow of the game. The game could have been put out of sight by RCA when Coghlan done all the hard work playing a one two to beat the last line of defence but racing through he slotted over with only keeper to beat. Davison headed wide minutes later. As half time approached though it was Hebburn who nearly scored again when out of nothing number 9 Michael Armstrong reached a loose ball on the edge of the box and stretching, he toe poked the ball goalwards and it spun off the turf, changing slight direction and Pickering threw up an arm to deflect onto the post. The referee blew the whistle to end a half that had management scratching heads, but was more than entertaining for the neutral.
RCA returned to the field with youth player Marc Moon taking over at right back with Dunn moving to centre back replacing Henderson. Again the end to end play was the format. RCA winning early corners before the home side attacked down the right, full back McMann exchanging passes with Crew before moving into the box and hitting a great effort that Pickering in goal blocked well. Niall McCardle at left back cut out consecutive attacks minutes after. RCA lifted their game again and a great 6 man move ended up freeing Noble who raced onto goal but hit his effort well clear of the bar. Richards came onto replace Davis for RCA on the hour mark as both teams looked to control play. Oliver was booked for Hebburn and then Richards appeared to be harshly treated with a yellow which was in fact his first challenge of the match. Ryan Mather replaced Stewart to take the tally to five U18 players on the pitch as RCA looked to finish off the game. The next attack was by RCA down the left and a great cross to the back post found Mather who headed well but wide of the target.
The last 10 minutes saw a period as open as any other part of the game and whilst goals looked likely at either end it was Hebburn who netted again, a ball from wide right was hit into the box and Carroll raced in to flick the ball over the keeper for his second goal. 2 – 3 and the cup tie alive again. Richards was still driving forward and had three efforts on goal in the final minutes the best of which curling and smashing the bar with the keeper well beaten. Not to be outdone though the home side rallied for a final time and substitute Gary Dadd nearly took the tie to extra time racing in to hit a cracking 20 yard effort that also hit the angle.
A good cup tie was ended after 95 minutes and the result sees RCA take their place in the last 8 of a competition that they have been losing finalists in the last two seasons. Manager Neil Hixon admits the main priority is Promotion this year and resources will be aimed at keeping the team at the top of the league. Neutrals will be looking forward to more open cup ties such as this – the next one at home in the League Cup against First Division Shildon on Nov 25th ko 7.30 ko. Get your ticket quick – it will certainly be value for money!
