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Sunderland RCA 8 Blackhall 1

Submitted by Owen Haley on Friday, 12 February 2010

Thursday, 11 February 2010

Under 18 South League

Finally after two months enforced winter break, RCA youths played their first game in 2010 in a league game against Blackhall. Would this have an adverse affect on the team, clearly not when after a competitive first half, the passing quality of the home side eventually wore down the visitors, who worked hard but were well beaten in the end.

Lee Andrews opened the scoring after 20 minutes when full back Alex Bone played a great through ball which the forward raced onto, before sliding it past the keeper from the edge of the box. Blackhall responded with a great move up the left and a raking cross to the back post was headed over. RCA created good opportunities, winning a number of corners and free kicks but had to wait until the 45th minute before making a further breakthrough. Peter Deary at full back played a great ball down the line where Andrews received well, playing the ball into Luke Olabode whose effort was blocked by the last defender. The ball fell to the feet of Andrews who seeing the keeper out of position calmly slotted home, just inside the near post. 2 – 0.

After half time Blackhall to their credit raised the level and two cracking efforts were fired at goal, the best of which smashing the bar from 30 yards by midfielder Brad Highfield. The game though was over as a contest after the hour mark when Luke Olabode hit a similar left foot screamer from distance right into the top corner and the celebrations said it all ! Andrews completed his hat trick soon after with another cool finish to reward him for great all round effort (20 goals in 14 games this season – and his 5th hat trick !)

At this point substitutions were made and 16 year goalkeeper Hayden Scott was brought on to gain some experience of the Youth league, making his debut, replacing Graeme Pickering who had looked assured all night in goal.

Minutes later good passing play down the right by young Jordan Cook ended up with Ryan Mather ghosting in to slot home to make it five. Olabode who had caused problems for the visitors all night was also not to be outdone and he coolly slotted successive chances home to secure his first ever hat trick for the club. It is still undecided who will claim the match ball ! Finally the home scoring was rounded off by midfield captain Jonny Davis who had a massively impressive game again, making RCA tick with his quick passing game. In injury time Blackhall got a deserved consolation when Kris Hope found space in the box and he glanced the ball just inside the post.

All in all another great win in a game that was much needed from RCA point of view. A real big one next up when we have the County Cup Semi Final on Monday night at Niissan. The current South leaders are unbeaten in the league whilst RCA will be trying hard not to give up the Cup that we currently hold. Kick off is 7.0 pm and Nissan are giving us the Red Carpet treatment with sandwiches and refreshments after the game. Could be a real good night with some good young footballers on show, so get yourself along………..free admission, if you buy me a drink !