Stu Thompson and ex-RCA captain Brian Close battle for the ball in the second half of the match.
Saturday, 10 August 2013
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Please click here for photos from the match.
Well, here we are again the start of a new season and it starts with a trip to West Auckland, not the easiest of places to visit.
RCA acquitted themselves well in a hard fought draw and it could have been a lot better after three very good first half efforts were squandered. Although West retained possession for long periods in the second half it was RCA who created the best chances in a very well contested first game of the season.
The management team have put together a good, hard working squad which will do well if we can retain their services and remain relatively injury free.
As early as the third minute RCA showed their intent to contest every ball when Barton pressurised Atkinson into a mishit clearance which fell to Winter, but Pattison was able to block the RCA forward's effort.
West's first chance came in the seventh minute when a Briggs corner was headed wide of the upright by Galpin who was left unchallenged inside the box.
A great challenge by Clough denied Richardson with the home crowd convinced, wrongly, that a penalty should have been awarded.
In the 13th minute a clearance by Wardle landed at the feet of Briggs who curled in a lovely shot which went narrowly wide.
RCA should have taken the lead in 17th minute when Barton was sent clear by Brown, but his shot, although beating Atkinson, hit the ouside of the post. Had he have looked up Winter had made a great run into the box and was in a great position to score.
Two minutes later and RCA were almost given the lead when a defensive mix-up saw Thompson nip in and give the ball to Winter who was through on goal but he could only find the side netting.
West picked up the pace and looked to keep possession and RCA were looking comfortable defending and hitting them on the break.
RCA suffered a blow when Morris limped out of the game in the 29th minute to be replaced by Halliday.
Winter had another great chance to score when he slipped past two defenders ,but his mistimed shot was easily saved by Atkinson.
The RCA defence was severely tested in the 37th minute when Carr had a great effort saved by Jameson. Henderson, following up, fired his shot straight at Jameson and the ball fell to Richardson who fired towards goal only to see his effort headed off the line by Brown.
RCA looked the stronger going into the break. A cross from McGuinness was superbly chested down by Lavender before the youngster unleashed a terrific strike which went narrowly wide of the far post.
Shortly after, a long throw from McGuinness was headed inches over the bar by Barton. Thompson fired wide from a good position, then a header from a long throw dropping inches wide.
Within two minutes of the restart Barton, looking more and more like his old self, charged down a clearance from Atkinson, but the ball ran away from him and West were able to get men back quickly and Barton's shot was easily saved by Atkinson.
For all West's posession in the second half they were only creating long range efforts on goal. A Carr half volley was easily picked up by Jameson and a Moffat shot flew well wide of the target.
In the 75th minute a Briggs corner was met by Richardson, but his well aimed header was cleared off the line by Barton
Barton then appeared at the other end firing a low shot into the side netting.
RCA changed formation to 4-5-1 for the final minutes and were pleased to see two efforts from Patton go harmlessly over the bar.
In the final minutes RCA almost claimed all three points when substitute Halliday crossed into the box to Barton and Atkinson had to make a smart save to deny the RCA stiker.
Everyone played their part today in a thouroughly workmanlike and professional display. From Jameson through to Morris and all the substitutes both used and unused, every one of them can walk tall today.