Spectators take their seats for the match.
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA: Clarke (2)
Out of adversity comes strength and purpose and in this penultimate game of the season RCA somehow managed to summon these qualities to produce a performance and a result which can only inspire them to go forward with confidence.
Every player who turned out tonight deserves massive praise for their commitment to the club and its supporters and special mention should be made to Jamie Clarke, who travelled from Manchester to play, and Wayne Henderson, who once again showed his dedication and loyalty to SRCA.
With several players unavailable due to holidays only 12 players were available for selection and of them Gary Shaw had got off his sick bed to be included on the bench.
RCA started the game well and were soon on top, kicking up the slope in the first half they were passing the ball well, but found it difficult to break down a stubborn Billingham defencee.
It wasn't until the 12th minute that either team tested the keeper and it was from a run a cross by Gordon that saw Clarke rise above Gaston to heade goalward but Molyneux was on hand to save easily.
Selby was looking to influence the game from midfield fro Billingham and a through ball from him found Brunskill in space but the billingham forward fired just wide of the upright.
RCA kept up the pressure and forced Billingham into mistakes. A foul by Butterworth on Gary Shields produced a well taken freekick from McGuinness which was headed back acroos goal by Wardle into the path of Gary Shields, but his well drected header was saved by Molyneux.
Molyneux set up MacDonald with a long clearance and the Billingham winger cut inside brfore unleashing a terrific shot which Close did well to head away for a corner.
RCA took the lead in the 27th minute when Richards persistance paid off when he won the ball from Risbrough near the corner flag, slipped the ball to Kane who produced a perfectly flighted cross onto the head of Clarke who made no mistake from six yards out.
A totally dominant RCA were now totally outplaying their rivals and it could so easily have been 2-0 when a shot from Kane was parried into the path of Gordon by Molyneux, but the RCA striker steered his shot wide of the post from five yards out.
Molyneux was called into action five minutes later when a fierce shot from 25 yards by Gordon looked destined for the bottom corner. The Billingham keeper managed to parry the shot away at full stretch and Risbrough cleared the danger.
With the advanrtage of the slope in the second half RCA continued to press forward, however unlike other matches when they have over committed and been caught on the counter attack, today they kept their shape and looked a much better team.
In the 50th minute a clever reverse pass from Close found Richards and his shot on the run flew narrowly over the bar.
The game started to get a bit scrappy at this point with a lot of misplaced passes and Billingham were guilty of not seeming able to get the ball forward to Brunskill and Martin and when they did they were well marshalled by Wardle and Henderson.
In the 65th minute RCA were unlucky not to score when a McGuinness freekick to the far post was met by Clarke who thundered in a header which was cleared off the line by a Billingham defender.
RCA were then awarded a penalty when Clarke was brought down in the area by Risbrough. The RCA striker dusted himself down and stepped up to send Molyneux the wrong way and make the score 2-0.
The response from Billingham cmae in the form a a cross from Macdonald which found the head of Brunskill, but he could only head over the bar and craig shields looked to have it covered.
Marron who was now bossing the midfield picked up the ball on the half way line moved forward unapposed before slipping the ball to Gordon who fired wide of the target.
As the game entered the final few minutes, RCA were happy to retain possession of the ball and Billingham looked like they just wanted the final whistle to blow.
The players tonight have thrown RCA a lifeline and a win next week against Shildon will put further pressure on Newcastle Benfield in their final two matches.