Arngrove Northern League Division 2
Crook Town 0 Sunderland RCA 2
Saturday, 26 April 2008
Sunderland RCA signed off the 2007/08 league season with a competent performance against Crook Town up at the historic Millfield ground. Jon Newton again partnered Andy Jennings up front, as Andy went head to head with Crook Town No 10, Darren Kokes for the Second Division goalscorer's crown. With both players on 24 goals for the season today's individual performance would decide the trophy. At the back Paul Wardle returned in place of the injured Paul Stout.
ANL DIvision 2 leading goal scorer Andy Jennings slots home RCA's opener after being played in by Jon Newton (left)
The game started with an early goal as Jon Newton unselfishly rolled the ball across the goal line in the second minute for Andy Jennings to take the lead in his personal battle, 1-0 to RCA. Crook looked lively and fought back from this early setback with plenty of work in midfield but few real opportunities came their way. One dangerous effort went past the post with Craig Shields watching, while at the other end Paul Sammons came close after a good move.
Ash Davis on one of his trademark attacks down the left
On the half hour Jon Newton had the ball in the net for RCA, but the liner pulled it back for a marginal offside. 1-0 to RCA at the break, and we would need to hold that lead to keep our fourth place finish in the league.
Andy Jennings challenges with the Crook keeper
For the second half Neil replaced Jon Newton and Paul Wardle with Adam McGuinness and Gary Anderson, being cautious with slight knocks in light of next week's cup final.
Jon Newton leads an RCA attack
Crook came out fighting, and a great block from Wayne Henderson was needed to avert an early equaliser. Around the hour David Wells came on for Gary Shields and a moment later Adam McGuiness was booked for a foul, although at this point most spectator interest was being taken by an irate Crook spectator launching a tirade of abuse against RCA captain Scott Richards, a personal matter it seems.
Adam McGuiness attacks down the left in the second half.
On 64 minutes Adam McGuiness went to the goal line and crossed for David Wells to go close, and as play went back and forth Jennings made the game safe with an excellent run and shot; 2-0 and his 26th goal of the season, in the 78th minute.
Andy Jennings breaks through the Crook defence.
The game finished with a flurry of efforts by both sides, but no addition to the scoreline. Fourth place for RCA, and the best season since our relegation from the top flight in 1988. Next season?