Ryhope CW 1 Sunderland RCA 3

Durham County Cup Youth Semi Final - Under 18s

Saturday 28 March 2009

History was made today with the first ever meeting of two clubs with home grounds based in Ryhope (less than a mile apart) competing in a Durham County Cup Semi Final tie. Whilst the players themselves were eagerly looking forward to the match, local supporters arrived in numbers as the kick off approached and were not put off by the cold, wind and dampness that prevailed. SRCA had a clean bill of health other than for Graeme Pickering one of the club's three goalkeepers being unavailable. Ironic that generally having three keepers for most games, that the only defeat in the last 12 was back in October in a game that we did not have a keeper. The management had some big decisions to make in team selection still with a good squad of seventeen available for the tie.

At kick off the wind was very strong and with RCW winning the toss and electing to defend the conditions, SRCA had to make use of the advantage and get something from the first half. Luke Page who has played most of his games in the centre of midfield played up front whilst left sider Mark Robinson was asked to play higher up the field. In the first ten minutes the play was congested in the midfield area with RCW closing down quickly and clearly showing strong determination in the tackle. However SRCA were making use of the strong wind at their backs and began winning throw-ins inside the RCW half and Anthony Ashman was throwing well into the penalty area. A couple of corners were won, but scrambled away as the home side defended well. As the game progressed RCA in having more possession were drawing many fouls for minor infringements. RCA midfielder Chris Bailey needed prolonged treatment after a rash tackle on him after 20 minutes. However the next challenge by Callum Charlton from RCW on Alan Tench was a very bad one. The referee had a long look and on going to his pocket produced yellow. Debatable, but RCA were not ruffled. The decisions pushed the team forward invigorated and after a further throw was won on the left a breakthrough was made. Launched into the box Luke Page won possession on the penalty spot his first effort with his left foot was blocked and when the rebound fell to him again he hit it immediately with his right and it flew in along the wet surface to make it one-nil to the away side. The large contingent of home supporters were silenced, whilst the RCA players were in high spirits now.

Ten minutes later things got better for RCA when a corner was won down the left side again. Mark Robinson hit a sweet curler into the box where sweeper Marc Moon rose unchallenged and planted a header right in the top corner of the net to make it 2 - 0 to the visitors. RCW responded by pushing more players forward and Ryan Graham had to be on his toes to keep out to long-range efforts. However the back four of Gamble, Moon, Ashman and Dunn were proving very capable. Andrews and Page worked hard up font closing the space down whilst wide midfielders Robinson on the left and Hardy on the right tightened up the midfield. The referee blew for half-time RCA worthy leaders in 2 - 0, but the game was not over by a long way as a severe test, with the wind unrelenting, was ahead of us. The main concern at half time was that treatment was needed for the knocks that central midfielders Tench and Bailey had taken. Although both had treatment it was decided to withdraw Bailey. Damien Knight was brought into the fray up front with Luke Page moved back to centre midfield.

The second half kicked off with the changes not affecting the general play and RCA still showing composure in all areas. RCW though were giving it their all and also making use of long throws which resulted in winning corner advantage. On 60 minutes though, they nearly made the breakthrough when Trewick created a chance for a RCW forward to break into the box and after beating a defender he hit the ball immediately across keeper Graham who pushed it away for a corner. However the RCA tactics of moving the ball quickly wide paid off and on 65 minutes when the ball was switched forward to Damien Knight on the right who running from the half way line out-sprinted the defence and from all of 30 yards spotted the advancing keeper and lifted the ball spectacularly over his head, the ball landing right in the bottom right corner of the net: 3 - 0.

RCW really had to push forward now and it was backs to the wall as RCA defenders were working overtime pushing the ball out for throw-ins and corners. Very resolute, but the pressure eventually paid off when a free kick was won down the right on 75 minutes. From all of 30 yards Greener ran in to hit a strong left foot curler over the wall and right into the top corner giving the keeper no chance. The home supporters celebrated whilst the RCW players raced back to kick off, buoyed by the breakthrough. Backs to the wall stuff for the next five minutes for RCA! RCW began leaving gaps at the back. The wide forwards Robinson and Knight both had chances for RCA with the former beating the full back on the left wing and racing into the box firing wide. Lee Andrews who had worked tirelessly up front then hit an excellent effort from 30 yards, which the home keeper dealt with well. The game was shut down with RCW going until the end. Actually eight additional minutes played not that the reporter was counting, before the referee blew and the tie won 3- 1 by RCA. A County Cup final for the first time in the club's history! Good banter in the home team's clubhouse after the game when both committees and management discussing the progression of some of the tadpoles into the larger senior football pond of Wearside League or Northern League football. A few of the lads playing today definitely have good futures in the game.