Saturday, 7 August 2010

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 1

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.

RCA started their Northern League Division 1 campaign at Newcastle Benfield with a largely new team - only four of the starting 11 had figured in RCA's promotion winning side last season - and a tough ask against 2009-10 Division 1 fifth-placed finishers Newcastle Benfield.

RCA made a bright start, with new signing Jim Farrell having two early chances. Another new signing, the lively and combative Ritchie Hodgson was booked on 20 minutes.

The RCA defence was bypassed for Guy Bates to run through the middle and coolly slot past the exposed RCA keeper, Craig Shields.

RCA heads did not fall because of this set back and a Hodgson drive was parried by the Benfield keeper on 38 minutes.

RCA went in at half time a goal down. It has been a good half, but there had been ominous signs of just how sharp Benfield were up front; although RCA had edged chances, with Hodgson's drive the pick.

RCA started the second half well, with good pressure and chances created, but on 65 minutes went two down when Colin Paxton found himself unchallenged in the RCA penalty to send a looping header into the corner of the net.

The away side were showing few signs of making headway now and manager Hixon reacted with a double substitution on 72 minutes bringing on Gav Parkin and Matty Hyson for winger Tony Coe and the hard-working Darren Kokes. On 75 minutes Harrison Davies was brought on for Jim Farrell.

Shortly after, Benfield scored their third from John Campbell, who netted again on 85 minutes. Two minutes later Guy Bates got his brace when given enough time and space to rifle a rasping shot into the top corner, giving Craig Shields no chance.

This was a tough welcome back to the Northern League First Division. The balance of play was not reflected in the score line, but RCA know that taking chances and better tightness at the back are going to be the first two points on the training ground.

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.

Saturday, 14 August 2010

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

Sunderland RCA made a spirited fightback to push Shildon all the way in this FA Cup tie. At 4 - 1 down RCA rallied and Shildon had to dig deep at the end to secure the victory.

RCA started really brightly taking the game to Shildon who were looking to control the ball at the back, but were being harried by RCA.

In the third minute a shot from Hodgson went narrowly wide after some good work by Smith. Two minutes later a shot from Andrews was pushed over the bar by Shields.

Finch was called into action twice in as many minutes making a great save from Hodgson before blocking a drive from Kokes.

RCA were having the better of the play and ex-Shildon player John Butler was running the midfield. Against the run of play Andrews hit a speculative shot from 35 yards which dipped but went just over the bar. Kokes, latched onto a through ball from Hodgson and looked certain to score, but once again Finch pulled of a great save. This seemed to galvanise Shiildon and they started to pass the ball with more purpose; in the 33rd minute a header from Harwood went just wide of the post

The killer blow came in the 42 minute when Shildon went 1 - 0 up. RCA did not deal with a through ball from Price and Steve Johnson turned and stabbed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Within a minute of the start of the second half Shildon were 2 - 0 up when a cross from Garvie was converted by Harwood. The home side were playing really well and the pressure was building on the RCA defence, both Garvie and Brown had good chances to increase the lead, but it wasn't until the hour mark that Shildon made it 3 - 0 when Garvie was alleged to have been brought down in the box and Andrews made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Within a minute RCA had pulled one back when a corner was headed down by Hodgson and Keegan sliced the ball into his own net.
The three goal cushion was restored five minutes later when Brown rose unchallenged to head home an Andrew's corner.

The RCA fightback started when they were awarded a penalty when Coe was alleged to have been brought down in the box on 78 minutes and Hodgson scored from the spot.

Five minutes later Coe once again burst into the box and this time fired low into the net giving Finch no chance. In the last minute Henderson sent a looping header inches over the bar with Finch beaten.

Good Luck to Shildon in the next round against Bridlington Town FC.

Tuesday, 17 August 2010

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 1

Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon gave new signing, goalkeeper Niki Lawson his (returning) début for RCA in a new look formation that saw Ritchie Hodgson operating behind lone striker Darren Kokes.

RCA got off to a dreadful start when Jarrow Roofing scored after just 82 seconds, David Malloy putting the ball past Lawson in an incisive attack. Worse was to follow for the goalkeeper, as a hip injury forced him off after only a few minutes with former Under 18s Graeme Pickering coming on to make his first league appearance of the season.

As the game settled RCA were dominant in possession, spreading the ball from left to right with relative ease as Jarrow Roofing sat back on their early goal advantage. RCA finally made their possession count after 22 minutes when, making use of the overlapping fullback Stuart Brightwell worked a neat interchange with down the left with Hodgson. Hodgson’s deft backheel around the corner freed up space in the Jarrow Roofing penalty area and, with a late run, Chris Smith found himself bearing down on goal with only the keeper to beat. Smith instead chose to square the ball to Tony Coe whose low drive was well defended by Roofing.

RCA were mounting up the corner count in the first half but were creating little from the opportunities. After a foul on Kokes on the edge of the area Brightwell stepped up and floated a free kick towards the top corner only to be denied by a wonderful save from Roofing keeper Gary Hoggeth, who moved across his line and tipped over from underneath the crossbar. RCA created another chance from the resulting corner, Coe finding himself in space in the area but his downward header was pushed away by Hoggeth.

Jarrow Roofing were looking exciting on the break with the game being played so deep in their own half. Kris Hughes, on the left of Roofing’s attack, cut inside at pace on a number of occations but the moves rarely troubled Pickering in the RCA goal.

After the interval the game followed the same course with RCA controlling possession on the edge of Jarrow Roofing’s box without creating any definitive chances. In the early stages of the second half it was Roofing who looked the more likely score. With RCA pushed forward the quick frontmen exposed the RCA defence on a number of occasions without finding a finish.

25 minutes into the second half and RCA finally threatened Hoggeth’s goal. From what must have been RCA’s 18th corner of the match, Hoggeth saved a goal bound header from in the midst of a melay of challenging players at the cost of an injury. After a goalmouth scramble Roofing finally got the ball clear and tried to hit RCA on the counter with Hoggeth still down clutching his leg. RCA won the ball back and planted siege on Roofing’s goal with the hobbling Hoggeth somehow managing to make a smart save to keep things at 1-0.

The ball eventually went out of play and Hoggeth received treatment ultimately deciding to carry on. 5 minutes later, a deep cross from the right found Hodgson who pulled off his marker and found himself in acres of space in the penalty area. Hodgson did everything right, heading the ball down and back across goal, but the bounce put the ball at a nice height for Hoggeth who, in his last involvement, scrambled across his line to push the ball away.

The injured Hoggeth was replaced in goal for Jarrow Roofing while Wayne Henderson came on for Kokes and Scott Richards replaced Smith for RCA. As RCA pressured in the final 10 minutes Jarrow Roofing always looked the more likely to score on the break with Kris Hughes again causing discomfort in the RCA defence. Jarrow Roofing held out the late pressure to rise to second in the table while RCA are still looking for their first points of the season.

Saturday, 21 August 2010

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 1

Sunderland RCA entertained Consett today in a very competative match which RCA will feel they deserved to win and Consett will feel lucky that they earned a draw.

There was a cagey start to this game with both teams taking a good hard look at the opposition. Consett were the first to post their intentions when a long ball out of defence by Forster found Dickman in space but his shot was well saved by Pickering.

As both teams opened up there was some good football played in the centre of the park but it wasn't until the 13th minute that RCA had their first shot at goal when Coe was sent clear by Hodgson, but fired wide. Within tminutes the same combination found a way through the Consett defence, but this time Coe fired straight at Poskett.

Pickering was called into action at the other end but showed great composure when smothering a shot from Piecha with two forwards closing in.

The second half saw Fairish replace the injured Richards and he made an immediate impact. His enthusiasm was infectious and seemed to raise the performances of everyone around him.

In the 55th minute Fairish opened the scoring with a wonderful shot from 35 yards which was straight off the training ground, Hodgson running across goal stopped the ball and Fairish did the rest, this was a goal that coach George Herd was full of praise for.

However the lead did not last long as a Consett got back into the game with a well-worked goal. Hewitson pulled the ball back into the path of Piecha who buried the ball, via a deflection, into the bottom of the net.

Both sides had shouts for penalties which on another day might have been given and in the dying minutes a curling Hodgson corner hit the bar with Poskett beaten and the hardworking Fairish might have grabbed a winner, but his shot went over the bar.

Another very entertaining game which was a credit to the Northern League.

Tuesday, 24 August 2010

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 1

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.

RCA were soundly beaten by a well organised Bishop Auckland team who took advantage of some poor defending to go 2-0 up inside the first 15 minutes.

It could have been worse but for some good saves from young Pickering in the RCA goal.

Sunderland RCA welcomed Bishop Auckland to Meadow Park after more than 20 years and it was the visitors who started the better with a cross from Emson being deflected just over the bar. Bishops took the lead inside two minutes when RCA didn't deal with a corner and Simon Ord fired a low shot which took a slight deflection into the corner of the net.

RCA had their first real chance after 10 minutes when Hodgson found Coe on the right and the winger cut inside but fired just wide of Jeffries post.

With 15 minutes gone Bishops went 2-0 up when Wayne Gredziak flicked a high ball to Emson who smashed the ball under Pickering from a tight angle.

RCA were in danger of being swamped and it was only some geat defending by Duke that denied Emson his second. Pickering was forced to save from Barton after he had been put through by Lawson and as the half ended the keeper made an easy save from a Lawson header.

RCA came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second period and a cross from Coe was guided narrowly wide by Hepplewhite.
Fairish replaced Brightwell after 55 minutes and the effect was immediate. A pass from Fairish found Coe and his cross was met by Fairish, but his shot went narrowly wide.

In the 58th minutes a cross from Hodgson took a wicked bounce and only the agility of Jeffries at the near post stop the ball crossing the line.
It was constant pressure from RCA but the final ball was missing and the Bishops defence were performing heroics.

From a quick break Emson slotted to Barton whose low shot was excellently saved by Pickering.

Bishops were using the counter attack to great effect and only a superb save by Pickering denied Bell a goal on his debut.

RCA continued to press throughout the half and their closest chance came on 85 minutes when Hodgson headed against the post and the ball rebounded clear.

In the final minute RCA didn't defend a freekick and as the ball bounced about in the box Richardson was the first to react shooting past Pickering.

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.