Sunderland RCA 5 Witton Park 0

Under 18s - Eye Infirmary Cup

22 November 2008

As it was SRCA's third game in a week management decided to make use of the strong squad and the side was picked with the following changes. Graeme Pickering was selected in goal to make his full starting debut, Michael Jacob was chosen in central midfield, Damien Knight brought into the fray in right midfield and Matthew Reynolds was also selected up front.

RCA kicked off and took the game straight to Witton who could not hold the ball at all in the opening minutes. After a couple of rushed clearances it was no surprise at all when after good midfield play the ball was pushed wide right after passes were exchanged between Andrews, Bailey and Knight, this created space for Reynolds who on meeting the ball that was delivered next to the penalty spot calmly slotted home to make it 1 - 0 after four minutes. Well if that was a good start it got quickly better on 10 minutes when in almost identical style the ball was wide right again, played in quickly with precision and Reynolds was there just outside the six yard box to slot in with ease 2 - 0.

Well, great start, but the ease of the goals quickly brought about complacency and the next fifteen minutes brought a sloppiness from the young RCA side that had not been witnessed in recent weeks. The midfield stopped playing simple football and it was against the run of play when Michael Jacob, out of nothing, hit a shot which eluded the keeper to make it 3-0. His first goal of the season but after his early touches, many of which were wayward, he must still be wondering how he managed to do what he did.

Well if it is or is not going to be your day in football the next ten-minute spell really proved it. The game was held up with both Jacob and Tench going down with injuries after a spell when Witton were getting more in the game and creating good half chances through the central forwards. On 35 minutes sweeper Tench could not continue with his hamstring so Jacob swapped places with him and sub Chris Hartley came into central midfield. Moments later after only a couple of touches of the ball Hartley found space on the left side ran forward and hit the ball with his right foot from 25 yards, curling straight into the top right hand corner. 4 - 0 and Hartley's first goal for the club. Who could believe it

Half time - lets settle it all down. Not likely! Captain Chris Bailey is also injured and has to be replaced with Mick Nicholson coming into centre midfield. A strange day indeed and it was no surprise after a succession of corners that Damien Knight converted with a header on 70 minutes: 5 - 0 and definitely game over.

Witton Park won a penalty on 80 minutes, which unfortunately for them, number 10 Fairweather, who had been the away side's main threat, pulled wide. Pickering on his debut was going to get the clean sheet that his performance and the strong defence deserved.

Not the U18s best performance of the season but the fifth win in the last six games, four of which have been cup games.

Need some League points now and it's a big away derby match at Ryhope CW this Saturday. They, like us, have also reached the last four of the League Cup and a good match is expected.

Team

1 Graeme Pickering
2 Marc Moon
3 Liam Dunn
4 Alan Tench
5 Anthony Gamble
6 Mick Jacob
7 Damien Knight
8 Chris Bailey
9 Luke Page
10 Mathew Reynolds
11 Luke Page
12 Chris Hartley - 35 minutes for 4
13 Mick Nicholson - 45 minutes for 8
14 Rhys Tench - 75 minutes for 6
15 Anthony Ashman
16 Mark Robinson
17 Ryan Graham (GK)
18 Billy Hedgley (GK)