RCA forward Stephen Bogie saw his dynamic display rewarded with two well taken second half goals.
Saturday, 14 March 2015
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscorers: SRCA: Bogie (2), Larkin, Armstrong. Bedlington Terriers: Young
Please click here for photos from the match.
As RCA head into the business end of the season they are looking to secure enough points to leap frog Billingham Synthonia and with that in mind today's match against Bedlington Terriers took on extra significance a win today would bring us within one point of Synners with six games in hand.
There was a welcome return to the squad for two long term absentees, Tony Coe and Gary Shields, both have had their fair share of injury problems this season so it was nice to see them take their places on the bench.
The team had a familiar look to it with the only changes being Bythway in for Brown and Bogie in for Hughes.
RCA started the game kicking up the slope with the assistance of the wind. They were soon on the attack and only a foul on Bogie stopped the striker from setting up Larkin. Armstrong's freekick from 25 yards out sailed well over the bar.
Bedlington recorded their first effort on goal in the sixth minute when Little played the ball forward to Young who turned and shot straight at Carmichael.
As RCA pushed forward Bedlington's defenders resorted to dishing out a number of niggly little fouls. From one Armstrong placed a great cross onto the head of Bogie, but he could only manage to head the ball wide of the far post.
In the eighth minute Bedlington took the lead when Little won the ball in midfield before sending the ball forward and into the path of Young who picked his spot before slotting the ball past Carmichael.
RCA were stunned by this and Bedlington tried to take advantage. Five minutes after the goal J Nellis made a great run down the left before crossing into the box and it took a great block by Preston to deny Scott. Minutes later and Bythway was called upon to head clear a Bedlington free kick with both Young and Scott waiting for the slightest mistake.
RCA managed to weather the storm and started to get their passing game back on track Davis and Charlton were starting to get some joy on the right and when Davis got past the last defender his cross into the box was hastily cleared for a corner by Watson. Larkin took the corner quickly, curling the ball onto the head of Bogie; the ball was punched clear by Staples fell to Jury who crossed back in to Armstrong, but he fired wide from a good position.
How RCA didn't equalise two minutes later was down to a superb save by Staples, Davis overlapping run was seen by Charlton who played in his team mate, his cross was met by Armstrong who from two yards out tried to place the ball in the bottom corner but somehow Staples managed to get a hand to the ball to prevent a certain goal.
However in RCA's next attack Charlton was fouled in the penalty area as he burst past two defenders, got to the ball first but was caught by both the keeper and the covering defender. Larkin stepped up and placed his penalty kick into the bottom corner.
Two minutes later and another surging run by Charlton into the box was stopped with a brilliantly timed tackle by Little.
RCA had taken the game by the scruff of the neck and were attacking constantly, when they pass and move like this very few teams can live with them and it was only some good defending that kept the scores level.
On the half hour a cross from Charlton into the box was met by Bogie but he could only steer his header wide of the upright, then an Armstrong freekick found Preston on the edge of the box, the RCA defender's shot was blocked and fell to Larkin who played in Armstrong but he sent his shot over the bar.
As half time appoached RCA produced the best move of the game when Wood picked up a loose ball in the centre of midfield, slipped the ball to Charlton who passed the ball out to the right where Davis took the ball on before squaring back into the box where Wood sent a crashing volley against the upright and out for a goalkick.
RCA began the second half as they finished the first with a fast flowing move down the left which saw Jury sweep the ball out to Armstrong, he switched play to Charlton who raced onto the ball but fired well over the bar.
Bedlington, in an attempt to stem the flow of RCA's forward play started to play the ball long, effectively cutting out the midfield, it almost paid off in the 50th minute when Morton sent a defensive clearance into the RCA half where it was picked up by McGorrigan who found himself in acres of space and time to get a shot on target, but Carmichael was able save fairly comfortably.
The game was beginning to get very competitive which led to a number of poor challenges. From a freekick taken by Armstrong, Bogie controlled the ball and laid it on for Charlton, but his shot was blocked by Morton and cleared up field.
RCA took the lead in the 65th minute when Charlton and Davis combined yet again down the right. The cross by Davis to the far post was met by Armstrong who managed to squeeze in a shot past Staples and into the net. Both Armstrong and Staples needed treatment after colliding with the post.
Bedlington responded possitively from this set back with Little and Morton driving them forward and it took a great tackle from Preston to stop J Nellis as he burst into the RCA box.
In the 75th minute Staples was brought into action again this time producing a magnificent save from Weldon after the RCA substitute was set up by Wood.
Two minutes later RCA extended their lead when Brown shifted the ball to Davis on the right. He played the ball forward to Bogie who chested the ball down before turning and shooting into the bottom corner of the net past the outstretched reach of Staples.
With 10 minutes remaining RCA put the game beyond doubt when Wood spotted another great run from Larkin. The RCA striker picked up the ball on the right, looked up and measure a perfect cross onto the head of Bogie who steered the ball home from six yards out.
RCA controlled the the final minutes of the game, passing the ball to great effect and leaving Bedlington with little chance to get anything from the game.
This was another very good team performance from RCA. Everyone in the squad played their part in achieving the required result in this important match.
Next up is a massive relegation match with Billingham Sythonia at Meadow Park, this game could be the defining match of the season for both clubs.