Saturday, 11 October 2014
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA: Charlton, Morris, Bythway and Austin-Wilson.
SRCA entertained Crook Town for the second time in seven days and after the closely fought encounter in the FA Vase last week a keen encounter was envisaged for today's match.
Both managers made changes from last week's squads with cup-tied players involved in the two squads.
RCA only made one change from the team that played exceptionally well in the mid week draw against top of the table West Auckland. With Barton unable to make the game due to work commitments, it gave an opportunity for Kyle Morris to step in to the No 9 shirt.
The game set off at a furious pace with first RCA attacking through Callen, he drifted wide of his marker before sending in an inviting cross which was headed clear by Davison with Morris in close attendance. the clearance fell to Poole who quickly switch play to the other end of the park with a supurbly weighted pass which Weekes controlled but fired low into the side netting.
In the fifth minute RCA took the lead when a through ball from Jury looked to be going out of play for a goal kick, Lewis Wood had other ideas, slipped past the Crook defender before cutting the ball back into the path of Charlton, his first shot was saved by Graham and the ball was scrambled away but fell to Charlton again and this time he made no mistake side footing the ball into the bottom corner.
As the rain started, got heavier until it was torrential, the play on the pitch got slower and very predictable, both teams resorting to long balls in the hope that the conditions would force errors from defenders. However both teams seemed well able to cope with whatever came there way.
The rain relented as half time approached and it was Crook who seemed to suddenly wake up. Holbrook found space on the left and sent in a wicked cross which was inch perfect for Alexander, but the Crook striker headed over the bar.
In the final minute of the half Hughes ran onto a through ball from Gary Wood and saw his cross cum shot cleared over his own bar by Davison.
What a start to the second half for RCA, Lewis Wood picked out Callen on the left, he cut inside before sliding the ball to Hughes who flicked the ball first time into the path of Morris who guided the ball past the outstretched hand of Graham.
Within three minutes it was 3-0 when Charlton won a corner on the right, Gary Wood sent a lovely cross to the back post where Bythway was on hand to head home from five yards out.
RCA looked in total command and Crook were forced to defend as the swept forward at every opportunity.
Then in the 75th minute Callen was dismissed for kicking out at a Crook defender and the game suddenly changed.
Crook looked to push forward as RCA made changes to their formation leaving one up front.
In the 80th minute Crook were awarded a freekick on the left, Evison took it and found Weekes free at the far post and the striker should have done better than head over the bar from close range.
As the game drifted into the last 10 minutes. Crook almost pulled a goal back when Poole played Rose in but he could only fire wide of the target with only the keeper to beat.
By committing players forward Crook were leaving gaps in their defence and in the 88th minute Lewis Wood went clear of the Crook defence with two players in support, but his cross evaded everyone, was picked up by Holbrooke who set Crook on the attack once more this time Wray made a timely challenge as Rose tried to break into the penalty area.
In the final minute of normal time RCA wrapped up a convincing win when Lewis Wood won the ball in midfield, chipped it forward to Charlton who played it into the path of Austin-Wilson and he made no mistake from eight yards out, giving Graham no chance.
RCA deserved the win no doubt about that and it keeps the momentum going, unbeaten under the new management team and impressive home form which has eluded us for the last couple of seasons.
There is still a long way to go till the end of the season and plenty of water to run under the bridge, but we have turned a corner and we now look like a team who is hard to beat and can score goals.
Next up North Shields Away.