Darlington RA 0 Sunderland RCA 2

Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Saturday, 8 March 2008

Again changes were made in the SRCA starting line up with Lee Owens returning from suspension and replacing Andy Middleton, whilst Jonny Newton retuned up front with Ash Davies replacing Adam McGuinness in left midfield. Anth Laidler started in central midfield for Paul Sammons who was unavailable.

In far from ideal weather conditions, SRCA kicked off facing a strong wind and in the early stages it was clear that playing football was going to be difficult on a hard, bumpy pitch. Like Brandon on Wednesday, Darlington RA were showing full commitment in the tackle as both midfields grappled for control. In the eighth and 11th minutes similar moves were played by the RCA midfield when passes were exchanged quickly, but as the final ball was threaded though for Jennings he was pulled up offside. The Darlington RA defence were holding a very high line, which was restricting the midfield area and frustrating RCA as we looked to breakdown the trap. In the 22nd minute a long ball was hit for Newton to chase on to and from 25 yards he hit a strong shot, but this cleared the RA bar by quite a few yards.

RA then put their first real threat together in the 25th minute and when the ball was put into the box, RCA defenders were guilty of leaving the ball for one another and a half chance was shutdown by a clearance from Wayne Henderson.

The game then came to life in the 26th minute, Laidler playing a short ball to Richards in the centre circle who then fed in Owens up the right wing. He sprinted past the full back before firing in a perfect cross to the penalty spot where Andy Jennings planted a firm header over the RA keeper. 1 – 0 and on our way.

Both teams then tightened up further with Darlington RA hitting hopeful balls which, if not running through to Minniss in the RCA goal, were running out for throw ins or goal kicks. A messy period of play resulted in the ref blowing a lot for free kicks and having to calm the players. Laidler for RCA was the first name taken when a yellow card was issued on 40 minutes. The game petered out until halftime with RCA clearly having the edge.

Darlington kicked off the second half and were immediately on the attack, but when a good cross was fired in the attacking number 10 fired over from close in – a warning that the game wasn’t over yet.

RCA quickly responded and had two corners in quick succession and Jennings was unlucky when heading over the bar. Henderson also headed wide during this period.

Andy Middleton came on for Newton on 60 minutes and his extra pace gave more momentum to RCA’s attacking force. On 65 minutes some excellent midfield play resulted in Ash Davies sprinting through with the advancing keeper to beat. As the keeper advance he opted for a chip when the ball could have been squared to Laidler to pop in. The keeper saved and a corner resulted.

After 68 minutes McGuinness came on for Ash Davies. RCA were dominating now and after 70 minutes were camped in the RA box. There were three consecutive corners after saves and clearances with Henderson’s header glancing the bar.

On 75 minutes, though, efforts were rewarded with Richards again firing in a great corner which was glanced home by Jennings: 2 – 0 and game set and match.

RCA were in control until the end with Jennings attempting to find his hat trick on 82 minutes with a spectacular 35 yard half volley effort which had the RA keeper running backwards to cover his goal. The effort was not that far way.

A good day was rounded off with the news coming quickly from our Southern correspondent Les Dodd: both Whickham and Thornaby had lost. The league table makes for interesting reading now.
Arngrove Northern League Division 2.