View from the Cemetery

The goals continue to flow, but unfortunately at both ends. Not much point me going over this here, read Rob Jones match reports, and the views of our manager in this programme and you will get a sense of how frustrating the last few weeks have been. Narrow wins are exciting, but sadly narrow defeats are just annoying.

Couple of new faces around the place. Chris Winn won’t be unknown to most people, a well established Northern League forward, including from a stint over the cemetery with the CW. A good forward who will be a good addition. Different matter, in terms of being a well known face, with our new goalkeeper on loan from Sunderland, Harrison Bond, who made his debut for us down at Thornaby, and whose picture graces the front cover of the programme. First class moniker for a start. And he certainly looked the part. Big strong, athletic and confident looking lad. Made one very good save, caught crosses well and his kicking was excellent, long and accurate. Actually he didn’t have that much to do. Hopefully he will enjoy his time with us and make a good contribution as well as developing his game. Good luck Mr Bond…

A goal feast at Sunderland LGV Park on Saturday, in a seven goal thriller, and to be fair it looked that way from the start. We scored with our second attack, and a couple of minutes later Billy Town were level. A couple more goals, which might have been more, during the first half made it look reasonably comfortable for RCA, but I’m afraid our undoubted capacity to score is matched, almost, by our capacity to concede.

We sat back a bit and ended up getting deeper and deeper as the second half wore on, until Billingham were deservedly level after 85 minutes. After which of course we bucked our ideas up, had a couple of chances and Sparky notched the winner with a minute or two to go. I must ask somebody to count how many goals we have scored in the last ten minutes of games this season, it feels like a lot. Sometimes decisive and sometimes not, but a useful talent to have up your sleeve. Still points in the bag, and sitting in mid table, not too bad so far.

It feels like our luck with injuries must change at some point, and a settled defence would be a big help.

Well, we knew when this season started it would likely be a roller coaster ride, what with lots of long serving stalwarts: managers, coaches and players either retiring, taking a break or moving onto pastures new. And we weren’t kidding.

In ten days we have had a disappointing loss at home to Crook, which we could have got something from but where we never fired really well, followed by a damn close run thing at Bishop Auckland, or so my spies tell me. Really shouldn’t have been of course. Shoulda, coulda, been out of sight in the first twenty minutes, and made chances throughout, but still required a rescue mission in the last ten, which we pulled off really well. And then a tremendous performance at Newton Aycliffe, second top and going like trains, where we attacked brilliantly, defended superbly, with yet another central defensive partnership of Jakab and Allen (sounds like an old time music hall act), after Ben Errington was forced out in the warm up, coping with everything Aycliffe threw at them, and that was plenty. And finally, well beat at Ashington, giving away sloppy goals, mind, against what looked like a real good side, although even then we showed great spirit and managed a couple of goals late on, even when down to ten men, as Max became the latest to be crocked..

A funny week of games and results. By the miracles of graveyard technology I was in Spain for the last fortnight so I’ve missed the last three matches. Timed when we had three away games I’ll have you notice. Anyway, sounded like a very stout effort at Consett, with our old hero Steve Callen eventually notching with his backside to settle things. Nobody will get much up there I reckon, and they already look hot shots for the title. There is no doubt that great crowds and a plastic pitch working hard during the week means lots of cash to spend on the team. Good luck to them, good club.