13 August 2009
Under 18s - Durham FA Shield Final - Pre-Season Tournament
The first silverware of the season was gathered last night as our Youth side picked up the DFA Shield at the Riverside (Chester-le-Street) with a convincing win over last year's winners Gateshead Leam Rangers.
RCA made the breakthrough on 15 minutes when a well worked move was finished off when midfielder Ryan Mather slotted home. Although Gateshead equalized on 20 minutes RCA generally controlled the game. Perry Agnew winning a penalty that was converted by Marc Moon on 25 minutes. The game was put beyond doubt in the next 10 minutes when after a great 5 man move a cross from Agnew on the right was converted by midfielder Kieran Stokoe. Centre forward James Alston also despatched a similar strong header into the roof of the net to make it 4 - 1 (Half Time).
In the second half personnel was rotated to make use of the full 19 man squad. Tony Martins making the most of his chance despatching a direct free kick home from 25 yards.
Ryan Mather capped a great performance scoring the goal of the match hitting a 30 yarder into the top corner of the net to make the score 6 - 1 on 75 minutes.
Gateshead staged a late rally scoring a penalty that had to be retaken after RCA keeper Pickering saved, but the linesman flagged for early movement. 6 - 2! Minutes later Coxon in midfield hit a goal nearly matching the quality of Mather's to make it 6 - 3. The referee then blew to end what was a very entertaining match. A good appetiser for the coming season which commences away to Witton Park on 29th August 09, 1:30 KO.
A few scouts were in attendance tonight and SAFC's Kevin Ball seemed to enjoy some of the football on offer, particularly the players showing 100% committment in the tackle!