23 September 2009
FA Youth Cup
In recent years Meadow Park has hosted FA Cup, FA Vase, FA Sunday Cup ties and now another new page in the history of Sunderland RCA was written tonight as the ground hosted its first ever FA Youth Cup tie.
Ideal conditions for a football match with a great crowd in attendance and both sides showed quickly what they were about with the ball passed along the ground at all times. Gateshead in particular were showing pace in all positions and the RCA defence had to hold strong in the early stages.
The best effort of the half came after 20 minutes with Joshua Holland for Gateshead hitting a great 25 yard strike which Graeme Pickering in goal covering but he was pleased to see it glance the outside of the post. RCA responded with a move through the centre which Nathaniel Crinson raced onto and moving into the box he hit a left foot effort across the keeper who palmed away. Half time 0 0.
At half time the RCA Management made changes with wide man Perri Agnew replacing Tony Martins from midfield and this seemed to inject the required pace into the home team. As a result the game continued in a similar vein as the first with both teams showing intention to attack.
On 65 minutes the vital breakthrough was made by RCA. Passes were exchanged in midfield between Ryan Mather and Jonny Davis before the ball was hit to the byeline for Agnew. He beat the right full back with ease and hit a great cross to the front post where Lee Andrews glanced a header across the goal finding Davis steaming in at the back post to gleefully knock home. Great cheers from the home supporters.
If the game was open before, things really took off now, Gateshead breaking again but the RCA back four of Alex Bone, Marc Moon, Luke Olabode and Peter Deary were holding the line well. Pickering in goal looking assured behind them. However Gateshead forwards Jonny Ward, Chris Hughes and Lewis Lynch were running hard and still looking very capable.
On 80 minutes though RCA moved the ball through the midfield again, from the left Kieron Stokoe moving the ball to the middle and again Mather and Davis swopped passes before Agnew received on the right, this time he played a first time ball splitting the defence and Nathaniel Crinson raced onto again. On entering the corner of the box he drilled an excellent 20 yarder which Sean Armstrong in goal pushed onto the bar, the rebound falling to Andrews who joyfully headed home then raced to celebrate with all his team . 2 0 and RCA looking good.
Gateshead showed no sign of quitting though and had success minutes later through one of their only route 1 efforts of the night.
Winning a free-kick on the half way line, Rob McGurrell hit a long ball into the RCA box which was glanced on finding Lynch who slotted home from 10 yards.
2-1 and minutes to go but RCA regained their composure and ran down the clock.
The first ever FA Youth Cup win and many happy supporters leaving Meadow Park after watching an excellent football match really for
the purists. Even the match officials in particular referee Paul Charnock praised the play and approach of the two teams.
Only a couple of rounds to go and the dream of playing a pro club.
Next round v Dunston UTS or Seaham Red Star (away) week commencing 5th October.