Saturday 12th December 2009
Durham County Youth Cup
RCA reached the last 4 of the County Cup today with a competent display against Willington.
The visitors opened very brightly and could have taken the lead in the early minutes when centre forward John Dixon fired wide when he possibly could have done better. Early corners were defended well by the RCA defence.
After 10 minutes though a breakthrough from the first real attack by the home side. A long ball into the area was sliced sideways by a central defender and the ball fell to Lee Andrews who seeing the keeper out of position he slotted home from the tightest of angles. The goal gave confidence to the home side who started their normal passing game and controlling possession. It was no surprise when the second goal came with Lee Andews now creator, splitting the defence with a through ball that midfielder Ryan Mather raced onto slotting the ball past the advancing Michael Stocks in goal. Willington responded with Dixon linking with his strike partner Aydon Bowers who hit a great effort from outside the box which took a deflection, the ball looked bound to beat Graeme Pickering in goal but he flung himself full length to push the ball round the post.
A sign that it was not going to be Willington's day and after the half hour came a further breakthrough with Kieran Stokoe splitting the defence in similar style to the second goal with Mather racing in again to slot home for his second.
Peter Deary at left back played in midfielder Kieran Stokoe who slotted the ball through the defenders legs before getting into the box, he passed the ball invitingly for Jonny Davis to shoot but he ducked his shoulder deceiving the two final defenders before squaring again for the overlapping Jordan Cook who raced in to slot home. Very loud cheers for a great goal and Cooky's first of the season. 4 - 0 and game over by half time.
The second half was fairly balanced with the visitors not giving up and Pickering had to again be alive with Bowers again testing him from just inside the box. However after the hour mark James Alston was played in down the right. Racing clear he moved into the box where with the goalie to beat he unselfishly squared the ball sideways for Andrews to sidefoot home to get his second.
A convincing win which sees RCA in the last 4 of the County Cup for the second year running.......with Nissan, Walker and Chester le Street .It will be a tough draw either way but we are looking forward to the Semi which will be in February.