RCA defender Ross Preston clears the ball in the first half of the match.
Saturday, 1 March 2014
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA Hughes Synners: Wray (og)
Please click here for photos from the match.
Please click here for the Billingham Synthonia photographer's photos.
After the disappointment of Monday at Team Northumbria the Management team made wholesale changes to the starting line up and the formation for today's match.
Playing an unfamiliar 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 whichever way you look at it this was a vastly improved performance from everyone in the squad.
Wray and Preston teamed up with Horsman in the centre of defence and the inclusion of Player/Joint Manager "Buddy" Halliday in midfireld along side Nathan Wilson and Stanger was a master stroke, as they stifled the usually inventive "Synners" midfield. Jury and Aaron Brown played as wing backs and Hughes and Barton were up front.
RCA got off to a dream start, from the kick off the ball was played to Horsman, he found Brown on the left wing, Brown slipped the ball to Wilson who played the ball to Barton who switched play to Jury on the other wing he crossed into the box where Hughes finished sublimely to give RCA the lead on 25 seconds.
Synners responded immediately, a freekick taken by Edwards was floated to the back post where Abel headed the ball back into the danger area to Sweet who could only direct his header straight at Carmichael.
A minute later Burton shot wide from 20 yards out after being played in by Osmond.
Another well taken freekick from Edwards in the 12 minute was headeed away by Preston, the loose ball was picked up by Abel but he fired wide of the target.
Synners were piling on the pressure but the RCA defence was holding firm, dealing effectively with everything that was being thrown at them.
In the 22 minute Hillaby played a one two with Hughes before striking a low shot which Carmichael was able to smother.
The RCA keeper then turned defence into attack as he kicked the ball out to Hughes who showed great pace in getting past his marker before shooting towards goal where Briggs brought off a great save.
Synners equalised in the 25 minute when Woodhouse won the ball inside his own half and sent a long ball forward, the ball fell to Sweet who set off towards goal, Wray made a great tackle but the ball was diverted the wrong side if Carmichael and into an empty net.
As the half wore on it was clear that both defences were well on top and goalmouth action was very scarce.
The second half saw Synners attacking almost constantly with RCA reduced to defending and trying to hit them on the break.
On the hour mark a corner on the right was palmed away by Carmichael under pressure and the ball fell to Hillerby who curled his shot wide of the target.
A minute later and Edwards was once again the provider of a clear chance for Synners, his freekick into the box was met by Abel but Carmichael produced a great save from the centre half's header.
RCA continued to deny Synners and were always a threat going forward especially with the pace of Hughes and the introduction of Fryatt added more pace to the attack.
In the 75th minute a great ball from Hughes to Woodhouse beat the RCA offside trap and when the ball was played into the six yard area for Sweet it looked a certain goal but the Synner's striker placed the ball inches wide of the post.
That was the last real chance of the game as both teams cancelled each other out in every department of the pitch.
Synners for all there efforts could not breach a well organised RCA team who gave nothing away cheaply. A well deserved point picked up away from home at a top ten team was the reward for a fantastic team effort.
Next up is Marske United on Tuesday night.