Double goal scorer Colin Larkin on the attack during the second half of the match.
RCA made the long journey to Tow Law Town’s Ironworks Road ground to play this EBAC Northern League Division I fixture.
Before the start of this match both teams had the same number of points, with Tow Law above RCA on goal difference.
Under the leadership of Martin Swales and Gary Errington the rebuilding continues at RCA and our loyal supporters will recognise quite a few “Old Boys” as we roll back the years, the starting lineup including some familiar names of years gone by; Larkin, Callen and Brown joining Davis, Leonard and Pinder for a bit of a reunion. (Watch this space for further signings).
An injury to Orton, the Tow Law Town goalkeeper, meant that Barron was called upon as a last minute replacement.
The teams lined up as follows:
Tow Law Town: Barron, Goldsborough, Joynes, Field, Renshaw, Seymour, Craggs, Page ©, Ardelean, Hurworth, White. Subs: Mallaburn, Marriott, Marley, Hizzett, Gibbons.
Sunderland RCA: Wilkinson, Davis ©, Turns, Lennox, Trewick, Brown, Leonard, Ene, Pinder, Larkin, Callen. Subs: Fenton, Herdman, Bowmaker.
RCA started the game brightly, Brown breaking up the play in midfield won the ball before playing it out to Ene, he cut inside before hitting a 30 yard speculative dipping shot which Barron did well to tip over the bar.
Two minutes later and a ball from Trewick was picked up by Larkin who threaded the ball through to Leonard who burst into the box before hitting a low drive which was well saved by Barron.
As the game settled down the home team started to move forward with more purpose. A well place pass from Page was picked up by Hurworth who unleashed a well struck shot which flew wide of Wilkinson’s goal.
The visitors next attack was started by Davis playing the ball forward to Larkin who held it up until Davis made the overlap, he the released the ball into the path of Davis who pulled the ball back to Callen who scuffed his shot and the ball bounced through to Barron.
Slightly against the run of play the home side took the lead in the 21st minute, a corner on the left was cleared out to Page who completely missed the ball with his first attempt at a shot but he managed to get the ball at the second attempt hooking it into the net from the edge of the box.
RCA tried to respond to this setback by playing some very good football, unfortunately, when it came to the final ball there was little in the way of penetration and the home defence coped really well.
In the 36th minute after a spell of RCA pressure Ene forced a corner on the left, Brown took the kick which was cleared to the edge of the box where Larkin picked up the ball, played it to Callen inside the area but he fired wide of the target.
Once again the visitors were building up some attacking momentum, a long ball out of defence fell to Pinder who flicked the ball out to Callen he broke forward before sending in a wicked cross which was met by Brown but he could only steer his shot wide of the target.
Minutes later and it was a well worked “Lawyers” move which almost brought the second goal. Goldsborough send a ball down the line to White who outpaced the RCA defence before crossing into the area where Ardelean hit his first time shot toward goal but Wilkinson was on hand to make a terrific save.
Trewick set the next attack away with a forward ball to Larkin who laid the ball into the path of Leonard but he snatched at his shot and it flew over the bar.
There was a lot to like about the first half display of RCA.
The “Lawyers” started the second half on the front foot and it was little like de-ja-vu for the RCA faithful who had witnessed RCA starting badly in the second half of recent games.
Craggs went close in the 47th minute with a curling shot which drifted wide of the upright.
Minutes later and White broke down the right before crossing into the area where Hurworth, unmarked in the box, headed over the bar.
Brown and Leonard combined to set Callen up but the RCA striker hit his shot well over the bar.
The poor start to the second half got worse in the 51st minute when once again White outpaced the RCA defence before crossing into the box where Craggs managed to get his head to the ball and it was deflected into the net giving Wilkinson no chance.
From the restart Larkin produced a piece of magic which was well worth the admission fee alone. Spotting Barron slightly out of position, he audaciously floated the ball directly from the kick off over the head of the bewildered keeper and into the net to make it 2 -1. (Straight off the training ground, he did exactly the same at training on Thursday).
Lennox picked up a Wilkinson clearance before playing the ball to Ene who played in Larkin inside the box, he looked to be fouled by Barron but the ball fell to Pinder who was completed wiped out by a defender and this time the referee pointed to the spot. Larkin coolly stepped up to smash the ball into the net sending Barron the wrong way to make it 2-2.
What a hectic 5 minutes that was.
The game became a bit fractious after this with the home defenders committing a number of niggly fouls.
On the hour mark a back pass was picked up by Barron and sparked a bit of uproar as RCA tried to take the kick quickly but were stopped by their counterparts. Two booking ensued. The freekick inside the box was well blocked and the ball cleared up field.
RCA were looking the more likely to get the winner as they were spurred on by some very vocal supporters. A long clearance from Lennox fell to Leonard who skipped past two tackles got to the bye line before cutting the ball back to Pinder who looked certain to score but his shot his Seymour and was collected by Barron.
Into the final 10 minutes and RCA continued to press forward and looked relatively untroubled at the back.
Davis and Brown won hard tackles on the right to set Leonard away again this time the RCA winger cut inside before hitting a great shot which Barron did well to tip over the bar.
Two minutes later and RCA should have taken the lead. Brown won yet another tackle in midfield and Fenton who laid the ball to Larkin who burst into the box at speed, with only the keeper to beat Larkin went for power and Barron pulled of a spectacular save with his left foot.
However RCA were not to be denied, Turns was the instigator, picking up the ball inside the opposition half he ran straight at the heart of the home defence, rode a couple of tackles, before hitting a shot which was brilliantly saved by Barron but unfortunately for him the first to react was Callen who stabbed the ball home to make it 3-2 to RCA.
The “Lawyers” tried to rally in injury time, which seemed to go on for an eternity but was actually only five minutes, but they were well held by RCA’s defence.
This performance was by far the best of this season, from going 2-0 down early in the second half the team maintained their belief and produced some excellent play on a very slippery surface.
From 1 to 14 they all put in outstanding performances. I’m guessing some of the, let’s say, more mature members of the squad will be feeling the after effects this morning.
These players are an absolute credit to their profession, playing for the club and the badge. They know how much this means to the supporters and the club, it might only be one result but it is the stepping stone to keeping the club going for the foreseeable future.
Next up we are away to Whitley Bay on Tuesday, 7th March 2023. Kick off 7.30pm.