Aristote Guerin-Lokonga, returning to Meadow Park for the first time since his move to Consett, finds his options limited by RCA's Philip Horsman and Steven Baynes.
12 November 2013
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA. Patton (2), Barton, Fryatt. Consett: Guerin-Lokonga.
Please click here for some (noisy) match photos.
RCA made one forced changed for the visit of Consett, Andrew Brown was unavailable through work commitments and Jack Stanger stepped in to replace him.
Consett included ex-RCA players Aristote Guerin-Lokonga and Andrew Cuthbertson in their squad.
What a game the two teams conjured up with the play switching from end to end throughout the whole 90 minutes a cracking match which the statisticians will say favoured Consett (Shots 20 - 11, Corners 15 - 3) but in the end it is goals that settle matches and RCA proved clinical, if a little fortunate, in front of goal.
What an opening to the match two disallowed goals in the opening minute, from the kick off Wilson sent the ball forward to Barton who controlled the ball before chipping it over the Consett defence, he then ran onto his own pass before firing the ball home, unfortunately Patton was adjudged to be in an offside position. From the restart Consett moved the ball forward and a cross into the area from Bell was punched away by Carmichael , the ball fell to Sullivan who fired goalwards, Mackay flicked the ball into the net but was also adjudged to be offside.
After that opening anything could happen in the next 89 minutes. The game settled down with Consett, kicking down the slope, having a lot of possession but unable to produce anything from the final pass.
In the 10 minute Mackay found acres of space on the right edge of the box, took control of a pass from Piecha before turning and shooting wide of the post.
5 minutes later and it was the turn of Barton at the other end with an almost replica as the ball was pushed forward by Wilson, A deft flick by Baynes found Barton and RCA’s leading goascorer fired in a low shot just wide of the upright.
Consett continued to press forward and only a double save from Carmichael stopped then from taking the lead, a cross from Chris Bell found Mackay, his shot was blocked by Carmichael and Sullivan following up saw his shot superbly saved by the keeper.
RCA were restricted to quick counter attacks as Consett pushed forward.
In the 33 minute, the tide changed as RCA hit back in emphatic style, a ball out of defence by Preston was picked up by Barton who cut inside towards the gaol area, he then produced a beautyfully weighted pass into the path of Patton who finished with some style, recording his first goal for the club.
Within a minute RCA were back on the attack Stanger slipped the ball to Barton who moved it on to Fryatt he squared the ball to Patton who fired over the bar.
Consett sent men forward again and Ryan Bell picking out Mackay with a great ball but the Consett Striker fired straight at Carmichael who cleared the ball up field where it was met by Patton who flicked the ball through to Barton he controlled the ball and curled the ball past Norton, it hit the post and rebounded into the keepers arms.
RCA went 2-0 up in the 44 minute when they were awarded a freekick , Wilson curled the ball into the 6 yard area where Barton was on hand to steer the ball into the net from 4 yards out.
The second half was almost a mirror image of the first with Consett setting out to attack at every opportunity and RCA looking to defend in numbers and break quickly.
The first real effort if the half fell to Patton who blazed a volley over the bar from 10 yards out after some good work by Stanger.
The visitors responded through Lund who dribbled through three tackles before crossing to Mackay who fired his shot well over the bar.
Then a Mackay freekick was headed down by Piecha into the path of Sullivan but the Consett striker’s finish went woefully high over the bar.
Consett continued there relentless attacking and and when Chris Bell slotted the ball through to Mackay it was only a great goal line clearance by Preston which kept the scoreline at 2-0.
RCA were finding it difficult to string two passes together and on the hour mark had another lucky escape when Sullivan, who had obviously left his shooting boots at home, once again shot wide when in a good position.
As in the first half RCA weathered the storm and came back in double measure, a quick throw in by Stanger found Patton near the corner flag, the RCA striker dribbled past two defenders on the by-line before cutting the ball back exquisitely to Fryatt who sent a thunderbolt of a shot into the roof of the net.
RCA were back on the attack a minute later when Wilson slipped the ball through to Patton who force a great save out of Norton.
The visitors did get a gaol back in the 75 minute when a cross into the box Sullivan was not cleared by the defence and Guerin-Lokonga pounced on the loose ball to stab it out of the reach of Carmichael and into the net.
As Consett started to tire RCA pushed forward and were able to capitalise and an absolute howler by Norton, full back Brown played the ball to Norton inside his own 6 yards area, the keeper slipped as he tried to dummy Patton and gifted the RCA forward with his second goal of the night.
4-1 might have flattered RCA on the night but it is goals that win matches and RCA took their chances. How many times this season have we been on top and lost to a late strike?
It’s nice to see both strikers on target and feeding off each other. As the Internationa break has effected us our next fixture will be at home next Tuesday against Guisborough Town.