Thursday, 26 November 2009
County Youth Cup - Round One
A mouth watering prospect at Meadow Park tonight, the home side County Cup holders against the current North League leaders. RCA had selection problems with club captain Liam Dunn, Nathaniel Crinson and Chris Hartley all unavailable through part time work commitments. Better news though was that Liam Cox was back in the squad after 7 weeks out through injury.
East End kicked off and moved forward at fast pace and in the opening minutes had a penalty shout denied with the referee and linesman very close to the incident. Successive corners were won by the visitors who clearly showed their attacking intentions. RCA responded and after 10 minutes a great ball down the right cleared the left backs head and Lee Andrews was on it as quick as lightning, beating the defender by yards he then met the fast approaching keeper Grievison who blocked the first effort well, but the forward despatched the second effort into the roof of the net from the corner of the 18 yard box. East End responded creating the next attack and no 10. Dean Holmes showed skill and pace beating the RCA defence and driving from 20 yards against the post.
RCA increased the lead after 25 minutes when James Alston was played in he beat the last defender raced onto keeper who dived despairingly at the forwards feet only to be rounded and Alston slotted into the empty net. A great finish and 2 – 0 to the home side. One way traffic now with RCA really upping the ante and it was no surprise when Lee Andrews hit home again, a finish better than his first, drilling in from just inside the box to make the pressure count. Jonny Davis crashed a 30 yard free kick against the bar minutes later which would have sealed the game before half time but given the level of performance it looked in anyway that East End could only look to damage limitation.
The second half kicked off again and although East End looked for a way back, the tie was effectively sealed when a great midfield move involving at least five players starting with Ryan Mather in the centre ended up with a cross pulled back just outside the box and the same player hit it first time with the outside of his right foot like an arrow into the top corner. A goal good enough to win any football match. The lead was increased when Alston who had looked lively all night raced clear again and accelerating with pace into the box he met the keeper again who took the player down for a penalty. Man of the Match Andrews stepped up to take and slotted home for a well deserved hat trick. Jonny Davis also finished off a good move to get reward for his endeavours to make it six after 75 minutes.
A massive performance from RCA , Pickering in goal looking assured, the back four of Deary, Olabode, Moon and Bone were exceptional. Robinson down the left ran with pace all night whilst young Jordan Cook had dug in on the right side of midfield. Liam Cox came on for the last period with Lewis Hatcher and alongside Kieran Stokoe this boosted the team again with a cross from the right finding the feet of Stokoe and taking one touch he pulled the ball down to rifle home the 7th with style. East End lost their discipline in the later stages which resulted in several bookings to dampen their night completely but were well worth a goal and in particular Dean Holmes who finished with aplomb from a 25 yard effort. Not to be denied though it was RCA who finished off the game and Alston again proved the thorn getting in to beat the keeper again to get his second of the night.
The standard set by RCA tonight was something to behold and on this display a clear indication that we are not going to pass the County Cup back very easily ! Another big game against high flyers Grindon again at home in 24 hours ….hopefully we are all back with feet on the ground. Good nights to remember this is close to the top of peak memories.