Tuesday, 24 August 2010
skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 1
Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.
RCA were soundly beaten by a well organised Bishop Auckland team who took advantage of some poor defending to go 2-0 up inside the first 15 minutes.
It could have been worse but for some good saves from young Pickering in the RCA goal.
Sunderland RCA welcomed Bishop Auckland to Meadow Park after more than 20 years and it was the visitors who started the better with a cross from Emson being deflected just over the bar. Bishops took the lead inside two minutes when RCA didn't deal with a corner and Simon Ord fired a low shot which took a slight deflection into the corner of the net.
RCA had their first real chance after 10 minutes when Hodgson found Coe on the right and the winger cut inside but fired just wide of Jeffries post.
With 15 minutes gone Bishops went 2-0 up when Wayne Gredziak flicked a high ball to Emson who smashed the ball under Pickering from a tight angle.
RCA were in danger of being swamped and it was only some geat defending by Duke that denied Emson his second. Pickering was forced to save from Barton after he had been put through by Lawson and as the half ended the keeper made an easy save from a Lawson header.
RCA came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second period and a cross from Coe was guided narrowly wide by Hepplewhite.
Fairish replaced Brightwell after 55 minutes and the effect was immediate. A pass from Fairish found Coe and his cross was met by Fairish, but his shot went narrowly wide.
In the 58th minutes a cross from Hodgson took a wicked bounce and only the agility of Jeffries at the near post stop the ball crossing the line.
It was constant pressure from RCA but the final ball was missing and the Bishops defence were performing heroics.
From a quick break Emson slotted to Barton whose low shot was excellently saved by Pickering.
Bishops were using the counter attack to great effect and only a superb save by Pickering denied Bell a goal on his debut.
RCA continued to press throughout the half and their closest chance came on 85 minutes when Hodgson headed against the post and the ball rebounded clear.
In the final minute RCA didn't defend a freekick and as the ball bounced about in the box Richardson was the first to react shooting past Pickering.
