Sunday, 21 October 2012
Carlsberg FA Sunday Cup
RCA Grangetown Florists progressed to the Second Round of the Carlsberg FA Sunday Cup with a hard fought 2-1 victory over a very strong Northallerton Sportsmans outfit.
In perfect conditions RCA Florists, including 46 year old John 'Scon' Anderson in goal, were further disrupted after just two minutes when George McCaine was forced out of the game with an ankle injury and had to be replaced with David Rush, but despite this they took control of the game and deservedly took the lead after ten minutes when Gaz Hill was put through and he dispatched a left foot finish into the bottom right hand corner. Sportsmans responded well and the contest became pretty even with both sides playing some neat passing football. Sportsmans then equalised after 25 minutes when Andrew Ramsbottom headed home a corner and it appeared that would be the half time score. But once again RCA Florists pushed forward and Gaz Hill again pounced when Sportsmans keeper Corps hesitated and he slid the ball home from 10 yards after 42 minutes to give RCA Florists a half time of 2-1.
Sportsmans came out second half in determined mood and began to dominate possession with centre forward Anderson giving RCA Florists defenders plenty to think about with his good movement and aggression, and home keeper Anderson had to save smartly down to his right after good work produced an opening for Ramsbottom. RCA Florists rearguard was being well marshalled by Hall and McVay, ably assisted by Metcalfe and Kelly, but they could do little about a crisp finish from Anderson that crashed against the post and was scrambled clear. RCA Florists though began to get more control and should have increased their lead late on, but still managed to hold on comfortably in the end for a 2-1 victory and now await the Secind Round draw with great anticipation. Good game played in the right spirit.