Tuesday, 10 August 2010
skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 1
Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.
After the 5 - 0 defeat at the weekend it was inevitable that changes would be made for the match with Ryton FC. David Duke replaced Paul Wardle who was working, Mark McLeod started in the centre of midfield and Gavin Parkin up front. Ryton included former RCA front men Mark Davison and Liam McBryde.
A bright opening by RCA forced Ryton to defend and in the third minute a cross from Coe found Hodgson at the far post, but his shot was deflected for a corner by Dixon.
Having withstood the early pressure Ryton struck back and a shot from McBryde went narrowly over the bar. The game was flowing from end to end with both teams committed to attacking football.
In the 14th minute good interplay between Parkin and Hodgson released Coe into the box, but his low shot was well saved by Starford. Almost immediately Shields was called into action making a terrific save from Innes at the other end and a minute later Smith went close for RCA with a snap shot which flew over the bar. Shields was again called into action, first making a save from Davison and from the rebound Marron fired goalwards, but was denied by Shields outstretched foot.
The deadlock was eventually broken when RCA did not deal with a throw in into the box and McBryde hooked the ball home from an acute angle.
The first 10 minutes of the second half were similar to the last 10 of the first, with neither team creating chances despite some good approach work.
Ryton increased their lead when a freekick from Marron was headed down by Davison into the path of Innes who made no mistake from 20 yards out.
RCA made a double substitution and this seemed to give them a bit of impetus and they were unlucky not to score when Hepplewhite broke into the box, but fired straight at Starford.
Kokes reduced the deficit in the 70th minute with a rasping volley, after a cross from Davies was only half cleared by the Ryton defence.
Within a minute Hepplewhite had another effort saved by Starford. At the other end McBryde fired wide.
RCA were piling men forward in an attempt to get the equaliser and Hodgson must have thought he had done so when he fired past Starford only for the goal to be ruled out for an early infringment. In the 82 minute the same player connected with a Kokes cross, but his header went well over the bar.
A number of half chances were not taken to the relief of the Ryton players at the final whistle.
