Tuesday, 29 March 2011
STL Northern League Division 1
Sunderland RCA travelled to second bottom Esh Winning FC for this important STL Northern League fixture. A win for RCA would almost certainly confirm first division football next season while a win for Esh would give them the incentive to continue their fight against relegation.
RCA made a number of changes to the team. There was a recall for Adam McGuinness at left back, Scott Richards came back into the team after injury and partnered Keith Graydon in a new look midfield, while a debut appearance was given to recent signing Matthew Tymon.
From the start RCA pressed forward and in the third minute Walton was sent clear by Richards, but squandered a golden opportunity, shooting wide, when one-on-one with the keeper.
In the fifth minute, Esh were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box and Lindoe stepped up to shoot past the wall only to see the ball rebound off the post and go wide.
RCA continued to put pressure on the Esh defence and Beasley was unlucky with a header over from Graydon’s corner. Esh weathered the storm and came more into the game as the half progressed and a shot from Hanson had Hoggeth scambling to save to his right.
On 30 minutes a cross from Gibson found Hanson and his snap shot was cleared off the line by Jones.
In a final two minutes of the half Toft pulled up with a knee problem and was replaced by Shields and Ward came on for the injured Aiston.
RCA began the second half on top and remained so for most of the half. A Logan cross on 50 minutes found Tymon who controlled the ball before firing against the inside of the post and Walton could only steer the rebound wide of the target.
Although they had good possession and plenty of pressure RCA got no reward for the endeavours. A cross from Jones was headed down by Shields and, with Walton bearing down on the ball Wilson was able to flick the ball away to safety. A cross shot from Graydon went inches wide and a deflected shot from Shields was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Spence.
A freak goal sealed the points for RCA in the 80th minute when Spence was in the process of clearing the ball he blasted it at the back of Taylor and the ball ricocheted into the empty net.
A minute later RCA had the ball in the net again, but Taylor was adjudged to be offside.
Esh tried in vain for an equaliser, but nothing was forthcoming and the game ended Esh Winning 0 RCA 1.
