Saturday, 31 August 2013
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA, Barton Terriers: Mellish (2), Kerr.
Sunderland RCA welcomed high flying Bedlington Terriers to Meadow Park for this EBAC Northern League match.
With three players suspended for today's game it was always going to be a difficult task for RCA. Shields, Dodds, Clough and Goss replacing Fryatt, Wardle, Home-Jackson and Winter respectively in the RCA line up, with Jury switching to a central midfield role.
Although RCA had the lion's share of possession and plenty of goal scoring chances they were defeated by a Bedlington team who took full advantage of some below par defending to record their second away win of the season and move to the top of the first division.
The game was slightly delayed due to an injury to the match referee Mr Liddle. The senior referee Ms Robinson took charge of the game with local referee Mr Hargrave coming to the rescue with minutes to spare.
Bedlington's goalkeeper McCafferty, was called into action in the first minute when he produced a top notch save from a stunning shot by Barton and only some last ditch defending kept out the attempt of Goss two minutes later.
A high powered start from RCA as they looked to capitalise on a shaky start by the visitors.
As the game settled down it became apparent that the use of the long ball was going to be a key factor in the outcome of the game. Both midfileds were finding it difficult to get hold of the ball and play football.
It wasn't until the 25th minute that RCA had their next real opportunity as McGuinness took possesion of the ball on the half way line. He measured his cross into the box and Thompson, with a deft header, produced a good save from McCafferty collecting the ball at the second attempt.
On the half hour mark the Terriers recorded their first really penetrating move of the game when Brittain crossed into the box for Kerr to head down to Loughborough, but the Terriers player was adjudged to be offside.
Bedlington were then lucky not to be reduced to 10 men when Barton was dragged back when he was going through on goal, Harmison receiving a caution. The freekick was taken by Edwards and cleared up field.
Bedlington took the lead in the 35th minute when a long ball into the box by Dixon was headed forwarded by Mellish and the ball squeezed into the net past the despairing dive of Jameson.
RCA's response was almost immediate from the kick off. Edwards picked up the ball and dribbled his way into the Terriers area before firing low into the side netting.
Within a minute Barton had a great chance, Goss broke to the by-line before crossing to Barton, but his header was cleared by Harmison.
In the final minute of the first half a long ball from Shields found Barton inside the area, but he was unable to get control of the ball and Leason cleared.
The Terriers started the second half on fire with Kerr and Morton combining to cause early problems for the RCA defence. In the 47th minute they went 2-0 up when a long clearance upfield from Donninger was allowed to bounce by Clough and Kerr was able to get a toe to the ball and steer it over the head of Jameson.
RCA once again took charge of the game and a Goss cross was palmed away by McCafferty only as far as Edwards, but he fired over the bar.
A lifeline was given to RCA when a cross from McGuinness was poorly headed by Harmison and fell to Barton who latched on to the mistake and buried the ball into the net past the despairing dive of McCafferty.
In the 70th minute a left wing corner was met by Loughborough and his header produced a good save from Jameson.
RCA were starting to apply the pressure now and when substitute Logan was fouled on the edge of the box McGuinness stepped up and curled the ball narrowly over the bar with the keeper struggling to get near it.
A minute later and a strong penalty appeal was turned down when Winter was caught by the keeper as he rounded him, somehow managed to stay on his feet, but could only manage a weak shot which was turned away for a corner.
The body blow for RCA arrived in the 84th minute when they conceded a free kick right. The ball was swung in to the near post where Mellish out muscled Clough to get a foot to the ball and stab it into the net from five yards out.
RCA thought they must score in the 88th minute when Logan and Leason were locked in a battle for a bouncing ball, the defender looked to get a foot to the ball and it flew over the keeper's head, bounced six inches in from of the line and bounced over the bar with three RCA players chasing the ball in and unable to get a touch.
When your luck is out it is out and RCA carried none today. Bedlington for their part took full advantage of their chances. McCafferty was by far the busier keeper and deserved the luck that he got on occasions, although his actions in the final minute when he took out Winter near the corner flag were a little unsavoury.
In the end I don't think that we can complain about the performance of the players, nor their commitment to the cause. We played very well without any reward. We were punished for defensive lapses of concentration.