Sunderland RCA FC 0 Durham City FC 0

RCA forward Callum Patton holds off determined tackling in the second half of the match.

Saturday, 30 November 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

No Goals:

Please click here for photos from the match.

RCA welcomed Durham City to Meadow Park and after the excellent second half performance from the RCA players last week there was an air of anticipation around the ground.

Two changes to the starting line up saw Fryatt and Stanger replaced by Morris and Aaron Brown. Otherwise it was a familiar looking squad which is what the management team are looking for.

Unusually for this time of the year it was a mild afternoon, the setting sun casting a red hue over the cemetery gave the ground an eerie look which film directors of horror movies would have loved and no doubt the Ghostly Gadgie very much approved of. (Not sure if Tim captured any pics).

There was an explosive start to match when Jury mistimed a challenge in the opening seconds giving Durham their first opportunity to test the RCA defence, Hotchkiss took the kick, but fired straight into the arms of Carmichael who sent the ball forward to Morris, who played in Jury, with Durham struggling to get back Jury crossed in to the near post where Patton met the ball perfectly, but his clipped shot was superbly saved by Brass.

As the game settled down it became clear that it was going to be a competitive match as both sets of players cancelled each other out.

The next chance of the game fell to Durham when Hotchkiss picked up a pass from Harrison and sent the ball forward to Scott who fired wide of the far post from a very good position.

RCA responded a minute later when Barton won a header and the ball landed at the feet of Patton who turned quickly before firing in a low shot which Brass saved low to his left.

Although the game was very entertaining there were few real chances being created which was as much to do with some excellent defending as both teams were putting together some decent attacking moves.

On the half hour RCA were awarded a corner which was taken by Wilson to the far post where Aaron Brown headed the ball down into the path of Barton, but his shot was blocked and cleared by Stoker.

There were some very competitive battles taking place on the pitch and it was a testament to the players respect for each other that there were some full blooded tackles being made but they just got on with the game.

In the dying minutes of the first half Durham had their clearest chance when Scott was once again sent clear of the RCA defence by Hotchkiss but the striker fired well wide of the target.

The second half saw Durham take the game to RCA, in the opening minute of the half Harrison sent a great ball forward to Turnbull blasted in a great volley which went the wrong side of the post.

Two minutes later and RCA conceded a freekick 30 yards out and Hotchkiss picked out Scott and, although his header was well directed it was cleared off the line by Preston.

It took until the hour mark for RCA to record a meaningful attack but when it came it was a brilliantly worked move which saw Andrew Brown play the ball to Morris, he beat his marker slipped the ball to Patton who jinxed past two defenders before shooting but the ball clipped a defender's knee and went for a corner.

This was the cue for a little pressure from RCA and a succession of corners played short caused a few panicky moments in the Durham defence but they stood firm and responded with a well worked move of their own. Walker receiving the ball from Brass passed the ball on to Turnbull who, in space, clipped the ball forward to Scott, but the Durham striker obviously didn't have his shooting boots on as he lobbed the ball straight at Carmichael.

A minute later a RCA had a claim for a penalty turned down when a high ball forward by Horsman was headed on by Barton, Aaron Brown was first to react to the flick on and as he tried to chest the ball round Brass he appeared to be pulled back by the keeper and the chance was lost.

As in the first half the game was being played in the midfield with both defences able to cope with everything that was thrown at them. Few real chances were being created in the final third.

Durham had a corner headed wide by Galloway and Patton had a shot which went wide of the target.

In the final minute of the game Barton had a great chance to snatch victory for RCA as he poked the ball past Brass towards goal only to see a Durham defender come to the rescue to clear the ball for a corner.

This was another hard fought draw against a top ten team. As 0-0 games go it had a lot to entertain the crowd but both teams, on the day, lacked the clinical finishing that was required to win this match.

No let up in the fixtures as next up is Crook Town followed by Maske United away. Are there any easy games in this league?