Saturday, 10 April 2010
Durham County Youth League
A squad of 16 was named today including four youth players only 16 year olds for RCA in Sam Wigham, James Anderson, Luke Richardson and Rhys Weir. However three of the players did not make kick off due to the earlier Under 16 County Boys Club match that they were playing in going to extra time!
In a very tight encounter it was RCA who made the breakthrough after half hour when good work down the middle by Ryan Mather gave him space to split the defence with a great ball to Lee Andrews who hit a great effort home from the edge of the box. Minutes later RCA hit the bar again but it was the Rangers who finished the half the strongest. A free kick from the right was hit to the back post and when headed against the bar, central defender Danny Egan followed up to head bravely home as the ball bounced along the line. Right on half time a further ball hit long from the Herrington full back cleared the RCA defence and left sider Holden raced onto and lobbed the advancing Pickering in goal. Half Time 2 – 1.
RCA opened brightly in the second half and won an early direct free kick on the edge of the box. Kieran Stokoe hit a peach over the wall beating the rooted keeper, but the ball struck the foot of the post. The team were generally cancelling each other out now, but on the hour disaster for RCA when a back pass from distance rolled into the box, Pickering raced out to clear but the ball hit a divot (Paul Robinson style!) to clear his foot and gathered pace to clear the goal line. Little time to recover for the visitors as minutes later a penalty was conceded which appeared very harsh but Egan stepped up unperturbed to slot home. Final score 4 – 1 which was ideal for the watching Lumley contingent who are now assured of a minimum play off for the league title. RCA need to play Chester twice and a draw in either of these games eliminates both teams and Lumley would secure the title, with possibly Herrington sneaking in to get the runners up spot. Interesting run in indeed.