Tuesday, 18 February 2014
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: Barton (2), Hughes (2), Patton Hebburn: North (2), McMahon
RCA welcomed Hebburn Town to Meadow Park on a calm, tranquil evening. The pitch was looking in remarkably good condition given the unusually bad weather of recent weeks and a massive thank you must go out to the ground staff who have worked so hard just to get a game on.
The last match played by either team was on 25 January 2014: three and a half weeks of inactivity and it was to show in the performances of both teams tonight.
RCA's line up was fairly familiar with the only changes being the inclusion of Jack Stanger in place of the injured Nathan Wilson and Joseph Hughes preferred to Callum Patton up front.
The game started slowly as both teams tried to get used to the underfoot conditions, Fryatt picking up the ball on the right was the first to threaten a shot on goal in the fifth minute slipping past his marker but his shot was easily blocked by Watson.
Two minutes later and the visitors took the lead. Callum Smith collected a pass from Watson, rode two tackles before slipping the ball into the path of North who slotted the ball past Carmichael and into the net.
It could have been made even worse minutes later when a foolishly conceded freekick on the edge of the box gave Hebburn another chance to test the RCA defence; the high ball meant for North was headed clear by Wilkinson.
RCA were not playing anywhere near there normal passing game as time after time passes went astray.
In the 19th minute a little bit of magic produced the equaliser. Brown won the ball in midfield and played an inch perfect curling pass, inside the full back, to Fryatt inside the 18 yard area, his low cross was met by Hughes at the near post and he guided the ball past Rogers.
This opened the game up and both teams looked to go forward at every opportunity. The conditions were also playing a part as lots of mistakes were being made and only poor finishing kept the scores level.
This all changed on the half hour. RCA were awarded a corner which was hit to long by Brown. Wilkinson managed to recover the ball and chipped in a beautiful ball to the far post where Barton rose highest to head for goal, Rogers managed to get a hand to the ball but Barton following up scrambled it home.
With Hebburn reeling from the goal RCA struck again, a long clearance by Brown was chased down by Barton, Rogers seemed to get to the ball first but his clearance struck Barton who shot straight into the empty net.
RCA looked in control of the game as they tried to create more chances. The speed of Hughes was causing problems for the Hebburn defence and on two occassions he was unlucky not to add to the scoring.
At the other end McMahon was winning his fair share of the ball and causing a threat to the home defence.
In the 40th minute a slick move between Wallace and McMahon set up North, but his shot was blocked by Wilkinson and cleared up field.
In the final minute of the half Hebburn got their reward for some enterprising play when they were awarded a corner. The kick was taken long to ex-RCA player Summers who was unmarked at the far post; he headed the ball back into the danger area where North was able to outjump the whole RCA defence to head home from two feet out.
RCA always keep their supporters on the edge of their seats and tonight was no exception.
The second half started with RCA, kicking with the advantage of the slope, looking to add to their goal tally.
Unfortunately Hebburn were not in a mood to just lie down and roll over. A header from Barton was the only real chance of the second half before Hebburn equalised in the 70th minute.
Wallace who had been a threat throughout the second half burst into the box and Wilkinson, coming across to cover was adjudged to have fouled him inside the area, up stepped McMahon to blast the ball home past Carmichael.
Hebburn, with their tails up looked to take advantage and almost took the lead when, in a carbon copy of the first goal, McMahon slipped the ball to North but this time Carmichael was able to make the save. His long clearance upfield was headed down by Barton, into the path of substitute Patton who slotted home past the helpless dive of Rogers.
Three minutes later RCA sealed the points with a great move. Stanger won the ball in midfield before firing the ball into the path of Patton, he controlled the ball then crossed to the far post where Hughes was free and the RCA striker made no mistake volleying home.
It could have been worse for Hebburn in the 80th minute when Hughes picked up the ball inside the box, but the striker decided to shoot when a square ball to Barton would have been the better option.
Hebburn where not finished and continued to show a lot of spirit towards the end of the match. Wallace produced a great shot which was well saved by Carmichael. Had it gone in then it would have set up a grandstand finish.
This was by no means a classic, the fact that both teams hadn't played for a number of weeks certainly contributed to an under par performance. RCA can take heart in getting the three points making it nine points in the last four games and Hebburn must feel that they have turned a corner with performances giving hope for the future.
RCA have done the business tonight securing all three points in their bid to get away from relegation. The fight continues at Penrith on Saturday - weather permitting.