21 November 2009
skilltrainingltd Northern League Div II
Whilst this was not classic by any stretch of the imagination it was another workmanlike performance and three points well earned. The two goal inside the first 20 minutes killed the game off and for all their endeavours Washington could not break down a resolute RCA Defence.
The game started in dramatic fashion when RCA took the lead after just 45 seconds, Paul Taylor, marking his first game back after injury, with a well taken goal when he pounced on a through ball from Davison before sliding the ball past the advancing Starford.
Washington could have been 2 - 0 down inside five minutes if Davison had been able to get on the end of a cross from Stewart as the ball sailed across the six yard box.
In the eighth minutes Lee Smith intercepted a pass inside the RCA half and unleashed a terrific strike from 25 yards out which hit the post.
RCA were starting to make inroads into the heart of the Washington defence and only some good defending by Lowden denied Halliday after some good work from Noble. A cross from Stewart was turned over the bar by Coghlan, but the same player made amends a minute later when a long clearance from Hoggeth was headed on by Davison to Taylor who threaded a pass to Coghlan who proceeded to chip the ball over Starford and into the net.
RCA were rampant at this stage of the game and Starford was called into action to parry a shot from Stewart.
Washington came more into the game in the final five minutes of the half, but Hoggeth in the RCA goal never had a shot to save.
Within three minutes of the restart Micky Coghlan limped off with a rib injury, which will probably keep him out of the mid week match against Shildon.
Smith had a decent chance to reduce the lead when he went on a mazy run beating three players before a great covering tackle from McGuinness stopped him getting in a shot. At the other end RCA were awarded a freekick and Stewart found Davison at the far post but his header was well saved by Starford.
RCA were dominating the midfield and looked likely to score on any number of occassions only for the final pass or shot to go awry. With 70 minutes gone a pass from McGuinness found Noble who turned the ball infield for Davison who hit a terrific shot which was brilliantly saved by the keeper. Minutes later Halliday burst into the box and looked odds on to score, but fired wide. Washington rallied and as RCA looked to tire they hit them on the break and both Hodgson and Donnelly had good opportunities but fired wide.
Their first shot on target in the second half came when Donnelly fired straight at Hoggeth in the 85th minute.
Special mention should go to the ground staff for presenting the best Meadow Park surface for many a year; it looks in extremely good nick.
