Sunday, 14 February 2010
Joe Holborn Memorial Cup - Second Round
RCA The Barnes comfortably progressed to a quarter final tie against Thorney Close in the Joe Holborn Memorial Cup by defeating Heppies by 6-1, despite going behind after just five minutes.
The game started brightly for both sides and after five minutes a long ball out of defence caught the RCA defenders napping allowing an attack down the right flank and an early ball across the six yard box for Heppies' Jackson to slot home comfortably. RCA responded almost immediately, when after 10 minutes good work down the right wing enabled David Newby to release Michael Turnbull who crossed perfectly to the far post were Martin Metcalfe had the simple task of heading home from point blank range to bring the scores level.
Heppies then had a good chance to go ahead through Jackson again, when RCA's Hall was dispossessed, but keeper Atkinson easily smothered his shot. Chances were being created by both sides, but gradually RCA began to take a grip on proceedings as Heppies' closing down became less intense and it was no surprise when they took the lead just before half time following a corner, when Paul Hartley stabbed home from close range, to give a ht score of 2 - 1 to RCA. At half time Paul Hartley was substituted, due to stomach cramps, by Gary Carr.
RCA came out strongly at the start of the second half and effectively killed off the tie with three goals in the first 15 minutes, with Metcalfe again, Andy Place and the impressive Michael Turnbull all scoring from close range as balls were pulled back from the by-line - tow from the right and one from the left. RCA then controlled the remainder of the half with possession football from front to back and also brought on John Turvey and Michael Curtis for run outs. It was Turvey who completed the scoring on 80 minutes, confidently volleying home following a well-worked short corner by Jonathan Davis and Callum Charlton, to give a final scoreline of 6 - 1 to RCA.
Another tough league match next week against the ever improving Myers, at Meadow Park, KO 10:30am.