Tuesday, 5 October 2010
STL Northern League Division 1
Click here for photos from the match, including Gary Hoggeth's penalty save. Acknowledgement: these photos are from the Whitley Bay FC photographer.
A tough test faced a rejuvenated Sunderland RCA as they travelled to Hillheads the home of FA Vase winners Whitley Bay. RCA were without midfield playmaker Micky Coghlan for the trip which saw the return of David Duke for the aforementioned Coghlan as the only change from the side that claimed their first away win of the season against Billingham Town a week previous.
RCA began sharply trying to take the game to their illustrious opponents and it almost yielded immediate success. Some strong running into the channels by Ritchie Logan saw him get to the ball before the Whitley Bay defender and win the corner. Harrison Davies came over from the left flank and whipped in a dangerous inswinger that evaded front post attempts and went through a host of bodies before finding Carl Beasley at the back post who, from 4 yards managed to direct his diving header wide.
It was levelling into an end-to-end contest. Whitley Bay were showing their class on the attack with some clever interchanges around the edge of the RCA box but long range effort from both Lee Kerr and Adam Johnson failed to trouble Gary Hoggeth in the RCA goal.
Martin Smith and Logan were also causing the Whitley Bay defence problems. Smith was finding space around the edge of the area created by Logan’s running and hold up play. Mid-way through the first half Steve Jones knocked a long ball into the channel for Logan to chase. The striker got there before his defender and fed Smith who was sitting in the hole. The Whitley Bay defence, who had interestingly tried to neutralise Smith’s threat by standing off him, invited the forward to run at them. Smith obliged and gracefully beat two men before being haled to the ground on the edge of the 18-yard area.
Smith took interest in the resulting freekick. Sensing a threat Terry Burke in the Whitley Bay goal built a five-man wall as Smith stood menacingly. With his left foot Smith floated the ball over the wall but his effort sailed gently over Burkes crossbar. From the goalkick Burke struck a long ball up field that Beasley was favourite to deal with. The defender slipped at the vital moment, however, and his tame clearance fell to Adam Johnson who ran at the RCA backline and squared a simple ball between defender and goalkeeper that Chow greatfully tucked away.
Whitley Bay increased their lead in the 38 minutes with a wonderful passage of play. After a tidy passing exchange Kerr picked up the ball on the inside left and clipped a delightful cross between defence and goalkeeper that Chow met before the oncoming Hoggeth.
RCA were forced into a first half change on the stroke of half time when Joe Walton came on to replace the injured Duke in the centre of midfield.
After the interval Whitley Bay continued to look dangerous on the attack and only a couple of vital block from James Oates and Beasley in the RCA defence stop them from increasing their lead.
Around the hour mark Whitley Bay received a clear penalty after Chow was brought down in the area. Johnson stepped up to take the spot kick but his cheeky chipped effort was read by Hoggath who confidently palmed the ball away.
As the second half grew RCA began to pose a threat on the Whitley Bay goal. Joe Fairish replaced Smith added some extra of tenacity to the RCA midfield with Walton moving to partner Logan up top.
In the last 10 minutes RCA began to lay siege on the Whitley Bay goal. RCA won a freekick out on the right and Jones swung in a dangerous ball that Oates met decisively in the air. His header crashed of the underside of the bar and bounced out. Walton, with Burke stranded, connected with the rebound but the bouncing ball was just to high for him to get over and all he could do is direct his header over the bar.
Whitley Bay controlled the final moments to see out the win. But RCA can take heart from their performance against a team that many in this league will find difficult to gain a result.
