5 December 2009
skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 2
In a game of constant attacking in both halves it is amazing how this game finished 0 - 0. Both teams had great chances and squandered them. From a neutral's view point they saw the best of North Shields in the first half and the best from RCA in second half.
The Game opened brightly enough with Stewart going past Luccock before sending in a terrific cross which evaded everyone including Robinson in the Shields' goal.
North Shields were unlucky not to take the lead after six minutes when a good move down the right saw Livermore pull the ball back for Taylor, but he fired wide from 12 yards out.
A strong challenge by Richards earned him an early yellow card and from the resulting free kick Amos headed wide.
In the 15th minute RCA had their best chance of the half when Stewart crossed to the far post and Noble, with the goal at his mercy, mis-timed his header and it went straight to Robinson. North Shields increased the pressure and only a fine save by Hoggeth from Smith kept RCA in the game. In a rare excursion forward Paul Taylor chested the ball into the path of the advancing Halliday, but his shot was comfortably saved by Robinson.
Cartwright was starting to pull the strings in midfield and a quick one-two with Minto resulted in a powerful shot going high and wide. Minutes later and some good interplay between Hay, Amos and Glen Taylor saw the ball crossed to Cartwright who hit his shot narrowly wide.
In the 33rd minute the defender hoodoo hit RCA again when Andy Reay was carried off with what looks like knee ligament damage. North Shields continued to press and in the dying minutes of the half both Minto and Hay had good opportunities to score. RCA defended well, but could count themselves lucky to be still in this game.
What a transformation in the second half; whatever was said in the half time team talk worked miraculously.
From the kick off Davis picked up the ball and drove at the Shields defence before slipping the bal to Davison who shot narrowly wide. From the the re start Mcardle won the ball and passed to Halliday who found Noble free on the right he crossed for Davison who's shot was blocked by Cartwright.
Halliday was taking command of the midfield and his passing was causing problems for the overstretched defence of North Shileds who must have wondered if RCA had put out different eleven in this second period.
On the hour mark Halliday found Taylor on the edge of the box and he turned and fired wide.
A minute later and the same combination were responsible for the RCA's best effort so far when a snap shot from Taylor beat Robinson but went agonisingly wide of the far post.
It was one way traffic at this stage and Shields could not even muster a worthwhile attack.
Davison had an effort blocked by Lullock before Taylor in a good position decided to shoot when a better option might have been to cross for the unmarked Davison or Richards.
Jones and Noble combined to set McBryde up, but his effort flew wide and in the closing stages Davison beat everyone to the ball inside the box but fired his shot straight at Robinson who saved with his legs.
