Thursday, 22 April 2010
Sunderland Sunday League
RCA The Barnes went down to a 2 - 0 defeat against Champions Elect Hastings Athletic and ended their hopes of winning the League. RCA were forced into changes with both Callum Charlton and Jake Moan playing in the Durham County Under 18 Youth Cup Final and John Turvey and leading goalscorer Martin Metcalfe still injured.
The first half was pretty evenly contested with Hastings having slightly the better of possession, but chances were at a premium with RCA keeper Atkinson dealing comfortably with long range efforts and RCA only having one real chance when Andy Gilbert found some space on the left to cut inside and shoot, but Hastlings keeper, Minnis, saved easily. So, 0 - 0 at half time, with RCA probably the happier.
The second half saw Hastings out of the blocks quickly and after 50 minutes they got the breakthrough when good work down the right saw the ball cut back towards the penalty spot where RCA's first team striker 'Sparky' Davison drilled home to put Hastings ahead.
RCA introduced Tyzack for Hartley, but this had little impact and after a corner was headed goalwards from close range after 65 minutes RCA keeper Atkinson could only parry and the unfortunate Liam Dunn, in attempting to clear, only succeeded in putting the ball into his own goal to give Hastings a comfortable 2 - 0 lead.
RCA tried to mix things up a little bit, sending centre half and skipper Phil Hall up front to give them a more physical approach with Willie Crew being withdrawn and Michael Curtis coming on in defence, but with the effects of playing so many games in such a short space of time fatigue began to take effect. The industrious, but tiring, Jonathan Davis was replaced, with 10 minutes left, by Glenn Moan, but Hastings saw out time to more or less cement their title. Fair play to them; they are probably the best team in the Division, and it was no disgrace to go down to such slick outfit.
Still another five league games to go and still plenty to play for with the runners up spot in the League still within our grasp and, of course, two Cup Finals in May, so not such a bad season considering the age of our squad and the fact that most of them had never played together until this season.