Penrith 1 Sunderland RCA 1

Northern League

Saturday, 10 March 2007

After the very disappointing display midweek against Guisborough the lads put in a vastly improved performance away to Penrith on Saturday, and were desperately unlucky not to come away with all three points. Despite the long trip RCA turned up at Penrith in good time, and with a good turn out of players and officials, reflecting well on the club, but with Marcel Lundy and Danny Haley noticeable absentees through injury and work commitments, although the unexpected return of Stu Dixon was a bonus.

RCA started strongly and could have scored in the first minute as a Jon Butler effort was cleared off the line. The lads continued to press and got their reward when we took the lead in the 30th minute as Andy "Scally" Allen capitalised on a weak clearance by the keeper to bring the ball under instant control and lob into an empty net from 30 yards. By half time the lead should have been more than one, and the pressure continued into the second half as Penrith struggled to get out of their half. When it looked as if one would be enough a 75th minute Penrith breakaway left goalkeeper Nick Lawson stranded on the edge of his box as a Penrith cross was unluckily turned into his own net by Si Andrews, who otherwise was RCA man of the match with a powerful display in defence.

Penrith got a lift from the goal and the last 15 minutes was end to end and included some narrow escapes for the RCA goal, notably a brilliant goal line block by Anth Laidler. A point was what we had to settle for, all three would have been fairer, but the display will have given manager Steve Smith heart for the vital last few games ahead.