Sunday, 25 September 2011
Durham County Sunday Cup 2nd Preliminary Round
RCA The Barnes comfortably won through to the next stage of the County Cup with a scratchy performance, on a dreadful pitch at Toft Hill against a spirited Etherley Dog & Gun, by a 6 - 3 scoreline.
The management continued to utilise their now strong squad with a few changes, but this made little difference as RCA started on the front foot and were 2 - 0 up after only ten minutes, with two well taken efforts from Willie Crew, the second one being a super overhead strike. RCA then got sloppy and gave away a corner which was swung in allowing a free header inside the six yard box to give the Dog & Gun some encouragement at 2 - 1 after 20 minutes. RCA’s keeper Chris Stoker was by now struggling with a twisted ankle, testament to the dreadful playing surface.
RCA were still trying to play a passing game, but were finding it increasingly frustrating on this surface, but nevertheless when Jonny Davis had a long range effort parried by the Dog & Gun keeper, Paul Brooke was on hand to follow up and make the score 3 - 1 in RCA’s favour. However they then got sloppy again right on half time when a short corner was played by Dog & Gun and the resulting cross found an unmarked forward at the far post for a simple headed finish, to give a half time score of 3-2 to RCA.
The second half saw Lee Harrison taking over in goal for the injured Stoker, with Craig Peel slipping in at centre half and Liam Dunn replacing David Newby on the right flank. Within another five minutes Michael Curtis had to replace Phil Hall at centre half, so using up all RCA’s substitution options.
RCA became more direct now, not taking any chances in and around their own box on the unpredictable surface, but still produced a good move down the left flank which resulted in Willie Crew putting over a teasing cross that Paul Brooke nodded past a hesitant Dog & Gun keeper after 65 minutes. This was followed almost immediately with Willie Crew's third goal lobbed over the keeper after a long clearance from Harrison caught out the Dog & Gun defence.
RCA were by now in almost total control and further increased their lead when Crew again got clear on the left & drew the keeper before squaring to Jonny Davis for a simple tap in to make it 6 - 2 after 85 minutes. Dog & Gun kept going though and were rewarded when a quick free kick again caught RCA napping and the cross was headed home after 89 minutes to give a final scoreline of 6 - 3 to RCA Barnes.