Michael Charlton leads an attack in the first half of the match.
Saturday, 21 March 2015
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goal scorers: SRCA none Benfield: Brayson, Taylor
Please click here for some match photos.
RCA were undefeated in their last four games going into this match against a much improved Newcastle Benfield team who have climbed steadily up the league since we defeated them at Meadow Park earlier in the season.
The management team made three changes to the team who earned a draw against fellow strugglers Billingham Synthonia on Tuesday, in came Brown, Megran and Callen to replace Rowe, Armstrong and Wood.
In the first minute of the game RCA were unlucky when a long ball forward caught the home team out and as the ball bobbled in the penalty area Bogie got his foot to the ball, but Grainger was able to get across to pluck the ball out of the air before it crossed the line.
After that initial burst the game settled down with both teams looking to play the ball along the bottom to feet.
In the eighth minute Benfield were awarded a free kick when Brayson was fouled. Scorgie took the kick firing through the wall but Carmichael saw the ball all the way and parried to his right. Baptiste following up fired wide of the target.
A minute later and some good passing move between Benfield’s Riley, Brayson and Convery saw the ball moved quickly forward into the path of Scorgie. His initial shot was blocked by Preston, the rebound shot was headed away by Bythway and the final shot from Brayson was saved by Carmichael.
RCA responded almost immediately, Brown clipped the ball forward to Bogie, who under pressure slid the ball into the path of Charlton who burst past the Benfield defence and into the box but shot wide of the target.
As in most of RCA games recently the ball was moved from end to end quickly and both defences were coming under pressure. A great block by Preston stopped another Brayson shot and then at the other end Bogie latched onto a flick from Callen, but also missed the goal.
The game was stopped for three minutes for an injury to RCA goalkeeper Carmichael who looked to hurt his shoulder stretching for the ball in the previous attack. He was declared fit to continue.
In an effort to keep the ball away from their keeper RCA tried to play possession football and to some effect. It wasn’t until the 25 minute that they created their next attempt on goal. Callen picked the ball up on the left, cut inside before squaring the ball to Megran who side footed into the path of Jury but the RCA captain shot wide of the upright.
RCA continued to push forward and on the half hour mark were awarded a free kick when Bogie was fouled. Megran took the kick which Tobin headed away, but the ball fell to Bogie who stabbed the ball toward goal forcing a great save from Grainger to deny the RCA striker.
The game switched to the other end where yet another free kick was conceded. Brayson lined it up but fired well over the bar from 25 yards out.
The game changed in the 37th minute when Jury was adjudged to have fouled Riley as the winger cut into the box and the referee pointed to the spot. On a day of controversial refereeing decisions at a higher level this was a soft penalty decision, up stepped Brayson to slam the ball home to make it 1 - 0.
RCA almost got back on level terms in the final minute of the half, a free kick on the edge of the box was taken by Bythway, the ball hit the wall and rebounded to the RCA defender who then lobbed the ball over the wall and Grainger but landed on the roof of the net.
The second half opened very quietly with neither team taking control and it wasn’t until the 65 minute that any efforts were recorded on goal and it was RCA’s Bogie who sent a 40 yard shot thundering toward the top corner of the net only for Grainger to get across and tip it round the post for a corner.
Davis and Charlton combined down the right to set up Bogie, but Tobin got to the ball first and cleared.
In the 70th minute Benfield made it 2 - 0 when a long ball into the area was met by Brayson; his low drive was superbly saved by Carmichael, but substitute Taylor was quickest to react and stabbed the ball home from close range.
RCA continued to try to get back into the game and when Bogie set up Callen it looked almost certain that they would reduce the arrears but Callen’s shot struck Turnbull and went inches wide of the post.
Benfield, with a 2 - 0 cushion sat back and soaked up the pressure exerted by RCA and counter attacked when they could.
The game drifted to its conclusion with few chances from either team in the final 15 minutes. RCA were reduced to long range efforts which were easily dealt with by Grainger in the Benfield goal.
This was always going to be a toughie for RCA and Benfield did not disappoint. They are a good, young fit team who play good football.
The game was a little bit stop start with a lot of free kicks given away by both teams.
All in all Benfield probably deserved to win on the day we would say that a soft penalty decision has undone us today. Next up Penrith away on Wednesday, 7:45pm kick off and another team who seem to have turned a corner since we beat them earlier in the season.