Sunday, 19 August 2012 - 10:30am
Sunderland Sunday League - Premier
RCA Grangetown Florists got their season off to a stuttering start against a well organised and youthful Herrington CW, with a 3-2 hard fought victory.
Herrington started the much brighter against the RCA Florists patched up starting eleven and dominated from the off with good slick passing all round the pitch and confidence on the ball, whilst RCA were sloppy in possession and somewhat disjointed. So it was no surprise that after 10 minutes a quick passing move from in their own half resulted in Rob Hall finding himself in space 18 yards out and he slotted home to the keeper's right to give Herrington a well deserved lead. Unfortunately for them they failed to capitalise on further excellent chances to increase their lead and only went into half time 1-0 ahead.
The second half saw RCA Florists come out much more determined and an equaliser came within two minutes of the restart when Chris Trewick challenged for a cross and the ball seemed to come off the defender's head onto Trewick's and looped over the stranded keeper to bring the scores level.
RCA Florists then began to dominate in midfield and created some decent openings, but then it was their turn to pay for not scoring again when Dean Smith was released through the inside left channel to cooly round the keeper and put Herrington ahead after 65 minutes. Herrington went to sleep immediately from the resumption and allowed John Turvey to set up Micky Wharton who volleyed home from 10 yards. RCA Florists then went for the winner and were rewarded when again John Turvey was allowed room in the penalty box, but was thwarted by the keeper. The ball rebounded to Mick McVay who controlled it on his chest and volleyed left footed across the keeper to put RCA Florists into the lead for the first time, a lead they protected comfortably to full time to give them a 3-2 victory.
Credit to Herrington who played some really attractive football and they will cause problems for a lot of teams in the Premier this season.