RCA forward Joe Hughes in first half action.
Saturday, 29 March 2014
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA: Fryatt Ashington: Walton (2)
Please click here for photos from the match.
Please click here for Ashington manager's comments on the match.
Please click here for Dave Lee's comments on the match.
With both Wray and Barton missing because of work commitments the managers were forced to make changes to the team that performed so well last Saturday at Guisborough Town. In came Hughes to partner Patton up front, Horsman moved to central defence and Aaron Brown, playing his last match for RCA before leaving for Scandanavia, was brought in at left back.
This game had everything, three goals, two disallowed goals, penalty appeals turned down, woodwork rattled and a sending off and that was just the first half. The game turned in the final five minutes after RCA had dominated for most of the second half and Ashington took full advantage the winner coming in the 89th minute.
Another bright start from RCA saw them almost open the scoring inside two minutes, Fryatt running past two defenders, as they appealed for offside, before clipping the ball into the six yard area where it was cleared by Taylor. A minute later and a long clearance from Carmichael was headed on by Hughes to Fryatt but he shot wide of the target.
Ashington responded through Walton, the Colliers' striker getting between two defenders before firing into the side netting.
A long ball out of defence by Christensen set up another Ashington attack, the ball falling to Glen Taylor, but he shot well wide of the target.
The game was end to end and in the 10th minute after Walton had forced a save from Carmichael the ball was sent up filed were Hughes controlled the ball before setting up Patton but his shot was blocked by Christensen.
Two minutes later Patton returned the favour this time heading the ball on to Hughes who was quickly closed down by Dryden in the visitors goal.
In the 22nd minute the Colliers took the lead when a defensive clearance fell to Carson who delivered a good cross to Walton who finished well from eight yards out.
Within a minute RCA almost got the equaliser when Hughes fired wide from the edge of the area then agreat through ball from Stanger was picked up by Hughes who sent in a terrific shot which had Dryden at full stretch to save. the rusultant corner was only partially cleared to the edge of the box where Stanger was on hand to fire in a shot which went inches wide of the upright.
The game seemed to be turning RCA way a Jim Wilson effort from 16 yards struck the underside of the bar and was scrambled clear the ball was forced back into the penalty area where Hughes mishit his shot and Dryden was able to make a comfortable save.
Then Hughes looked to have a good shout for a penalty when he burst between two defenders before being barged off the ball inside the 18 yard area.
Ashington responded with a fine effort from Glen Taylor which was well saved by Carmichael. Almost immediately play switched to the other end where Jim Wilson once again powered in a shot which struck the bar and fell straight into Dryden's arms.
During the next few minutes the game became scrappy as both teams looked for the half time whistle, during this time the referee was alerted to a problem in the Home team technical area which led to the dismissal of Stephen Halliday, for a comment made to the Assistant Referee.
With time running out in the first half RCA got back on level terms with a well deserved eqauliser, when the ball was played across from McAvoy to Fryatt who ran onto the ball before cracking it out of the reach of Dryden and into the corner of the net.
With the advantage of the slope in the second half RCA pushed forward looking to capitalise on their good end to the first half. the first cahance of the half fell to Hughes who was put through by Stanger his turn and shot was saved one handed by Dryden.
The game, as it did in the first half, swung from end to end and the next opportunity fell to Walton who, with his back to goal, picked up a pass from Johnson before turning and forcing an excellent save from Carmichael.
In the 65th minute RCA thought that they had taken the lead when Hughes slipped past two defenders, got to the by line before crossing low into the box, the ball was cleared by Christensen, but went straight back to Hughes who again put the ball into the danger area where the ball was bundled into the net. It was a great disappointment to see the Assistant Referee flagging for offside.
RCA were in the ascendancy and were trying to make their extra possession tell, McAvoy fed the ball to Fryatt who crossed to the far post where Wilson was unmarked, the RCA winger volleyed the ball gaolward but Dryden, who was having a great game, once again pulled off agreat save.
RCA started to tire and the Colliers looked to have weathered the storm as they started to make in roads into RCA's defence. A shot from Carson in the 75 minute was well saved by Carmichael.
Two minutes later Glen Taylor found space on the edge of the box, but fired well over the bar.
Oliver and Johnson combined in the 80th minute to create a chance for Walton, but his shot was blocked by Preston; in the goalmouth scramble that followed no fewer than four shots were blocked by RCA defenders before the ball was eventually cleared up field. Two minutes later and a cross into the box was met by Walton who headed home, but once again the Assistant Referee's flag was up for offside.
RCA were shocked into all out attack now looking for the winner that would give them three vital points in their fight for relegation.
Stanger played the ball to Fryatt who played in Patton, surrounded by Asshington players the RCA striker curled in a shot which only just cleared the bar.
The killer blow came in the 89th minute when Johnson picked up the ball on the left and the Colliers' captain took on two defenders before crossing into the path of Walton who mishit his shot into the net.
With minutes on the clock Ashington blocked any further attempts on their gaol.
This was a cracking game of football for the neutral, how RCA didn't come away with anything from this match is unbelievable but the spirit shown and the passion to fight for the cause can not be questioned. Once again every player was exceptional today.
We take on Bedlington next week and it will be another battle, two young sides looking to the future.