Dylan Elliott fires in a shot late in the match.
For more photos from the match please click here.
Bishop Auckland were the visitors to LGV Park, for this EBAC Northern League fixture and after Wednesday’s drubbing at the hands of Dunston the management team were looking for a positive reaction from the the players.
Injuries continued to be a major cause for concern in team selection but with two new signings to boost the squad there was some light at the end of the tunnel.
Josh Gray and Alex Storey were both selected to make their debuts in the following line up:
SRCA: Dean, Allen, McNab, Storey, Swansbury ©, K Davis, Charlton, Elliott, Slack, O’Neill, Gray. Subs:Dorward, Ezard, Moan, C Davis, Lilley.
Bishops:Liversedge, Robinson, Ryan, Hoganson, Hart, Hall, Judson, Potter, Fryatt, Tumilty, Parnaby, Prudhoe. Subbs: Chandler, Lee, Kanyondo, Nixon.
Bishops including three ex RCA players in their line-up Hall, Fryatt and Parnaby.
RCA were almost gifted a goal in the opening minute of the half when a McNab cross was fumbled by Liversedge but he recovered to claim the ball inches in front of Slack.
That was as good as it got for the home team as Bishops took control and put pressure on RCA’s defence. A long ball forward was not cleared effectively by Swansbury and landed at the feet of Judson who had time a space to curl a shot just wide of the upright.
Elliott was then guilty of a lazy pass which was picked up by Fryatt and played to Parnaby who hit a low shot which Dean did well to save.
RCA’s attacks seemed to end in poor crosses into the box of were easily delt with by Hall and Hart.
Bishops continued to press forward helped by the blustery wind and almost took the lead when Hoganson burst forward before unleashing a terrific strike which sailed just over the bar.
There is becoming a recurring theme with goals conceded by RCA and in the 13th minute O’Neill was dispossessed on the half way line by Fryatt he played the ball to Parnaby who let fly from 40 yards out and the ball hit the back of the net.
RCA responded through Gray on the left his cross to the far post was headed away by Potter but only as far as K Davis but his poor cross was easily cleared by Robinson.
A smart move by Bishops saw Tumilty and Parnaby combine to get past Storey before Tumilty forced Dean to save down to his left. His clearance was headed on by O’Neill and was controlled by Charlton inside the Bishop’s area and although the ball bobbled up he was able to force the ball over the line for the equaliser.
The game remained level for less than a minute when a poor back pass was easily intercepted by Tumilty who took the ball on a few steps before firing past the helpless Dean.
2-1 down and the passing in the RCA team got even worse as another poor pass from Davis was intercepted by Hoganson who played the ball forward to Parnaby his delecate little flick found Fryatt and he ended a good move by shooting wide.
RCA's final flurry of a disappointing half came when Liversedge handled the ball outside of the box K Davis hit the freekick against the crossbar and Hall cleared up field.
The second half started well for RCA when they equalized again this time a cross into the box by K Davis was slotted home by Elliott.
Back came Bishops through Fryatt again this time he jinxed past three players before firing in a low shot which Dean was relieved to see go past his far post.
Next up for Bishop’s was a mazy little run by Robinson through the heart of the RCA midfield before passing the ball to Judson inside the area but he fired over the bar.
The home team were finding it difficult to get any sort of play making going and it was no surprise when Bishop’s took the lead in the 73rd minute when another wayward pass in midfield was picked up by Fryatt and he played a quick one two with Bishops substitute Lee before setting the ball up for Lee to fire past Dean.
In the final 10 minutes RCA finally woke up, Allen sent in a great cross which was met by O’Neill and although he beat Liversedge the woodwork again came the Bishop’s rescue.
Allen was in the thick of the action again as he picked out the run of Davis, his cross was met by Elliott in a carbon copy of the move which saw him score earlier in the game but this time Liversedge produced a stunning reflex save to claw the ball away and Hall cleared up field.
RCA continued to pour forward with Swansbury going into the centre forward role for the final five minutes and it almost paid dividends when he headed a McNab cross back into the edge of the six yard area but Elliott hooked the ball over the bar.
This was not what the RCA faithful were expecting from their team but full credit must go to Bishop’s who were looking to win every ball and harried and pressed the RCA team for almost the entire 90 minutes.
Next up Ashington Away on Tuesday, 17 September 2019. 7.30pm kick off.