Captain Gary Wood in first half midfield action.
Tuesday, 12 August 2014
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA: K Morris (2), WAC: Hudson (2), Dormand.
Please click here for photos from the match.
RCA were the hosts to newly promoted West Allotment Celtic who had made an immediate impact on their return to the first division with a resounding 3-0 victory against Penrith on Saturday. Unsurprisingly they named an unchanged starting 11 for tonight's match.
Due to work commitments both Stanger and Brown were missing for tonight's match and their places were taken by McNab and Hughes. Jury reverting to a more familiar right back slot, McNab was installed at left back, Hughes partnered Morris up front with the two Gary and Lewis Wood starting in the centre of midfield
This game had a dramatic start, a competitive edge throughout, football to a decent standard and a sting in the tail at the end. All in all a good footballing night for the neutral. However a frustrating night for the home fans. While the away fans went away ecstatic with another 3 points making it 6 points from two away games.
RCA were left in wonderment as to how they lost this after dominating the second half.
West Allotment kicked off at 7.30 the ball was played to full back Cairns who launched a long ball toward the RCA penalty area, the ball was headed clear and fell to Dormand 35 yards out, he hit a first time shot that rocketed into the top corner of the net at 7.30 and 13 seconds RCA were 1-0 down.
RCA tried to pick themselves up from this early set back but were finding it difficult to get into their passing game as West were pressing hard and picking up any loose balls.
It almost went from bad to worse in the fourth minute when a through ball from Anderson was picked up by Hudson on the edge of the RCA penalty area, he elected to chip the keeper but the ball cleared the bar by some margin.
The game swung from end to end with RCA trying to move forward with controlled passing and West counter attacking to great effect.
In the ninth minute RCA levelled the scoring when Morris won possession on the edge of the penalty area, swung the ball out to Callen who beat two defenders on the left before crossing to the far post where Coe rose to head back across the goal and Morris was on hand to chest the ball home from close range.
Having fought back to level terms RCA then proceeded to allow West back into the game when Hudson pounced onto a long ball by Dummett, rode two tackles before slotting past Carmichael into the bottom corner of the net.
RCA responded again with some good passing moves but the final ball into the box was lacking.
In the 20th minute Coe won a corner on the right which was taken by Gary Wood, Reid headed the ball away only as far as Hughes on the edge of the box but his shot went narrowly wide.
The free flowing football that RCA were producing was good to watch but ineffective in the final third, whereas the direct approach of West Allotment made them a huge threat every time they attacked.
As the half progressed it looked more and more likely that RCA would get an equaliser as Callen, Hughes and Wood all had shots either saved or blocked.
A great move between Gary Wood and Jury on the right wing set up Hughes but his shot was saved by Beal.
A minute later and Morris once again intercepted a pass before setting up Lewis Wood but he shot a foot wide of the upright from the edge of the box.
West were now restricted to the odd counter attack as RCA swept forward in the final minutes of the half.
RCA with the advantage of the slope in the second half swept forward from the off pressing West deep into their own half.
Callen was seeing a lot of the ball on the left wing and was getting some joy attacking the fullback, in the 50 minute he picked up the ball on the lrft played a one two with McNab before passing the ball to Lewis Wood who again fired wide.
RCA equalised in the 58 minute when the two Woods combined in midfield to disposses West Allotment, Gary Wood then played the ball out to Callen who played in McNab who sent in a terrific cross which was met on the half volley by Morris and flew into the top of the net past a static Beal.
It was all RCA now as they pushed forward in an attempt to snatch a winner, West to their credit stuck to the defensive guns and held on repelling attack after attack.
In the 65th minute a cross from Callen was met at the far post by Jury who hit a first time volley well over the bar.
Two minutes later and RCA were awarded a corner which was met at the for post by Preston but the ball fell awkwardly and he could not get a shot on target.
Then Lewis Wood had a shot blocked on the edge of the 6 yard box and the ball fell to Guthrie who couldn't control the ball and it was cleared.
In the 77 minute RCA lost possession near wests corner flag, the ball was cleared up field to Dunn whose cross cum shot strck the post and rebounded in between two RCA defenders into the path of Hudson whoo made no mistake from eight yards out.
RCA continued with their passing game which created a number of other chances, Callen won a corner on the left and then from the resulting corner saw his header go narropwly wide.
West were defending in numbers now with eleven men behind the ball at all times, RCA's patient buildup was giving them time to reorganise in defence and they didn't seem to have much ambition to go forward.
As the game entered the final few minutes RCA threw everyone, including the keeper, forward for freekicks and corners, but for all their efforts it was always West's defence who were able to clear the ball up field.
RCA can feel unlucky not to have gotten something from this game, we had by far the greater amount of possession, more shots on goal and better chances than West. What we didn't do better than West was defend at the key moments of the game.
Next up Bishop Auckland FC in the FA Cup on Friday, 7.45pm Kick off.
Note: if it goes to a replay the match will be at Meadow Park on Tuesday, 19th August 2014; Kick off 7.45pm.