Kyle Fryatt, who opened the scoring for RCA with a terrific goal, in second half action.
Saturday, 4 January 2014
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA: Fryatt, Morris, Barton, og Consett: Mellish, Sullivan, Mackay.
Please click here for photos from the match.
Please click here for NLFPP video from the match.
An away day at the new Belle View Stadium to face a Consett team who were in free-scoring mode on the artificial surface.
The ground is indeed impressive and the off field facilities are very good. However the pitch surrounding leave a lot to be desired. Whenever the ball went over the barrier surronding the pitch it had to be retreived by a ball person wearing a pair of Wellington boots due to the quagmire conditions.
On the pitch SRCA made four changes to the team so comprehensively defeated last weekend by Newton Aycliffe. Andrew Brown returned to the centre of midfield after a bout of tonsilitis, Ross Wilkinson came in for Ross Preston who was on holiday, Kyle Morris was preferred to Steven Bayles and Jack Stanger would partner Brown against his former club.
Both teams started well trying to play football on ground. Gilberto was finding a lot of space in the centre of midfield and his range of passes was causing RCA problems, while the lively Fryatt was causing the Consett defence problems of their own with his mazy runs.
The first real shot on goal came in the 10th minute when Sullivan picked up a ball from Gilberto, squared the ball to Mackay and the former Hartlepool striker fired in a low shot which Carmichael turned round the post for a corner. Wilkinson headed the resultant corner forward to Fryatt who slipped his marker and set off on a 20 yard run; his cross into the box was well held by Elliott.
A throw out from Carmichael found Jury on the right. He moved into space before playing the ball into the path of Barton who cut the ball back to Morris; his first time shot flew inches wide of the upright.
Consett responded to this threat and Gilberto twice set up Mackay, but both efforts were sent well wide of the target.
In the 24th minute of the game a Carmichael freekick was headed down by Barton into the path of Morris who once again fired wide of the target.
Two minutes later RCA had the ball in the net. A cross from Fryatt was heading toward Barton when Elliott managed to get a hand on it and the ball fell to Morris who fired into the roof of the net, the referee disallowed the goal for a foul on the keeper.
It wasn't long before RCA went in front a ball in from Stanger fell to Fryatt and the RCA winger rode three challenges before rounding the keeper to slide the ball into an empty net.
Back came Consett, Sullivan picked up the ball from Gilberto, played a quick one two with Mackay before sending in a thunderous shot which Carmichael saved low down to his left.
RCA were coming under a lot of pressure as the game neared half time and after a number of near misses Consett finally equalised. A corner was headed away by Wray only as far as Smith who headed the ball back into the area where Mallish was first to react heading into the net betond the outstretched arm of Carmichael.
The momentum of the game was swinging from end to end with both teams committed to all out attack.
In the final minute of the half RCA took the lead, Brown picked up the ball on the right wing and sent a 50 yard pass just beyond the Consett's defence. Morris controlled the ball on his chest before dispatching the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
The second half started as the first half had ended. RCA were awarded a freekick on the left which was crossed into the 18 yard area where, under pressure from Barton, Piecha headed past Elliott and into his own goal.
RCA looked to control the game now, but this is never easy against a Consett team who move the ball from defence to attack so quickly.
In the 55th minute RCA were awarded a freekick on the right. Jury sent in a good cross which was met by Brown, Mellish picked up the loose ball and sent it forward into the RCA box. Sullivan, with his back to goal, chested the ball into the air before producing a perfectly executed bicycle kick into the roof of the net for a truly superb finish.
RCA almost extended their lead minutes later when Jury picked up a great ball from Fryatt and burst into the penalty area before cracking in a shot which Elliott just managed to turn away for a corner.
Consett continued to press forward in search of the equaliser and in the 70th minute a corner from Bell was headed goalward by Smith, but Jury managed to head the ball off the line with Carmichael beaten. The ball fell to Mackay who fired just wide.
Consett were applying constant pressure on the RCA defence which had been reorganised due to an Injury to Wray, Horsman and Wilkinson fought valiantly for every ball ably assisted by Aaron Brown and Jury.
However there was little they could do about the 85th minute equaliser. A shot from Smith appeared to be going wide of the target when it struck Wilkinson and rebounded to Mackay who struck a powerful drive into the bottom corner of the net.
Consett went all out for the winner as they pressed forward, RCA were resolute in defence and the game looked to be heading for a draw. Deep into stoppage time - five minutes on my watch - a long, hopeful ball was played into the box where Barton forced a mistake by the Consett defence. The ball fell into the area and Barton didn't need a second touch; he just slid the ball home.
What a game, both teams attacking at every opportunity, some absolutely brilliant goals and both defences putting their bodies on the line.
For RCA to take six points off a very good Consett team this season is little short of a miracle but the effort and commitment shown today from 1 - 16 is what makes the spirit in the team so special.
Unbeaten this year onward and upward, next up Whitley Bay, can we improve our home record if we can then we should finish well above the relegation zone. A great effort by everyone today.