Sunday, 18 April 2010
Joe Holborn Memorial Cup Semi-Final
RCA The Barnes completed a great weekend for Sunderland RCA Football Club when they won through to their second cup final with an extra time 2 - 1 victory over local rivals Grangetown Florists, after the tremendous achievement of the Northern League team's promotion to the first division of the Northern League. Congratulations from all at the Sunday side.
In perfect playing conditions, RCA kicked off with the slope in their favour with a starting 11 of Atkinson, Dunn, Neil Moan and Hall in a back three, a midfield five of Newby, Davis, Hartley, Jake Moan and Charlton with Place and Turvey up top. Martin Metcalfe and Willie Crew, still struggling with injuries, were given subs spots.
The game took on the expected pattern of both sides showing plenty of confidence and moving the ball around on the deck. Chances were few and far between but openings were created by both sides without either managing to convert into clear cut openings. However after 25 minutes Grangetown broke down the right and released Anthony Holmes who drove into the box and shot or crossed - not sure which - and home keeper Atkinson deflected the ball into the net in trying to cut it out. Both sides continued to cancel each other out for the remainder of the half and Grangetown went into the interval 1 - 0 ahead.
RCA changed their formation to a back four with Charlton slotting in to right back and Dunn crossing to left back and got of to the perfect start in the second haslf, when after just two minutes they equalised when the ball was played into the box and broke on the edge of the six yard box. With both defence and keeper hesitating, Paul Hartley reacted quickest to poke home just inside the post to bring the scores level.
RCA then had a dominant spell of 10 to 15 minutes without adding to their score and then Grangetown applied presuure of their own, but neither side could produce any worthwhile openings and the second half was played out to leave a full time score of 1-1 and extra time to come.
RCA started extra time in positive fashion and again caught Grangetown napping after just two minutes when the ball was played into Andy Place deep in the Granetown box and with the defenders crying out in vain for offside, Place brought the ball down on his chest and volleyed home to put RCA ahead for the first time. Place then had another effort ruled out for offside when he followed up after Newby's shot had been saved by the keeper, but he was ruled offside. Grangetown then went pushing for the equaliser and Benson was very unlucky when he saw his snapshot from the edge of the box strike the outside of the right hand post and go for a goal kick. The game went into the second period of extra time with both sides trying either kill the game or bring it back level and with Grangetown pushing forward RCA had a couple of decent opportunities, but chose the wrong option on each occasion and then in the last minute Grangetown were awarded a corner which was partially cleared and a shot from Jackson was charged down by Neil Moan with the ball striking his arm as he raced out, but amid Grangetown's cries for a penalty the referee ruled ball-to-arm and almost immediately brought the match to its conclusion to give RCA a very hard fought 2 - 1 victory and put them through to a final tie against Humbledon and Plains Farm FC on Sunday, 9 May at Ryhope CW.
Great game, great competitors in Grangetown and good luck to them in their semi final tie against Hastings in the League Cup.
Lots of very difficult league games in the next two weeks which will stretch our squad to its limits, given that most of them have other midweek commitments with their Saturday sides, but we will battle on and see what it brings as we are still in with a great shout for League honours also.
Also good crowd in for the match, so if you enjoyed what you saw get along to our remaining games as youir support is very much appreciated.