Friday, 27 August 2010
skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 1
Sunderland RCA welcomed Tow Law Town to what is believed to be the first Friday night fixture held at Meadow Park. The expected large crowd saw a game full of incident which I am sure the nuetrals and Tow Law fans will have enjoyed if not the RCA fans. On the balance of play RCA can count themselves unlucky not to have got something from the game but woeful defending has again cost them dear in a league where any mistake is punished.
Sunderland RCA went on the attack from the off and within five minutes Wardle headed over the bar from a Coe corner.
A minute later and some stirling defending by Tobin and Davison prevented Kokes from scoring. After 10 minutes a forceful run by Duke took him past three players, but his cross cum shot was defl;ected away for a corner. Once again Wardle rose highest and powered a header inches over the bar.
RCA had the ball in the net on 15 minutes when a cross from Parkin found Coe with acres of space and he blasted the ball into the net only to be adjudged offside.
The Lawyers had withstood the early pressure and posted their first effort on goal from a corner when Robson was allowed a free header which was easily saved by Pickering.
RCA were awarded a freekick on the edge of the box which Coe and McLeod proceeded to mess up giving possession to Thompson who quickly broke before passing to Halliday who fired home ably assisted by a wicked bounce which left Pickering stranded.
RCA responded almost immediately when Coe once again had the ball in the net but had fouled the keeper in getting possesion.
The Lawywer went 2-0 up again from a quick break away Jones mistimed his header and it fell to Parkinson who switched play and Halliday blasted the ball past Pickering.
RCA knew their luck was out in the 40th minute when a flowing move involving Parkin and Duke found McLeod but his shot rebounded off the foot of tha post.
Wardle then headed over and had a shot saved as RCA Piled on the pressure.
In the dying minutes of the half Kokes latched onto a great through ball from McLeod but, with only the keeper to beat, he shot straight at him.
The second half was much the same as the first with RCA pressing but not really creating much and The Lawyers counter attacking to good effect and defending their 2-0 lead admirably.
Neither keeper was troubled until the 75 minute when a Coe cross was met by Parkin and his shot was well saved by Robinson. At the other end Scott had shot which went high and wide and Halliday shot wide from an acute angle.
RCA got a consolation goal in the second minute of stoppage time when Wardle eventually beat Robinson with a low drive.
