Get in! Ross Preston heads home the first of his two goals at Heritage Park.
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscoreres: SRCA: Preston (2), Bishops: Butler.
Please click here for match photos.
On a perishingly cold night at Heritage Park the travelling fans went home with a glow in their hearts as RCA out played their rivals, coming from a goal down at half time to win fairly comfortably in the end, the score could have been 4 or 5 to 1 had RCA taken their chances.
The management team had a full squad and more to choose from for this important EBAC Northern League fixture, rearranged several times due to cup ties and the weather it was a relief to both teams to have the game on.
RCA introduced James Rowe into the centre of the park for his first start for the team, Ross Preston linked up with another debutant, Colin Larkin and Kieran Megran started against his old club.
RCA started well kicking against the wind and were quickly into their passing game, as early as the 3 minute Megran found Charlton in space on the right, his cross fell to Preston who crossed back into the box for Weldon who set up Rowe but his fierce drive was always going wide of the target.
This spurred Bishops into action and a through ball from Hotchkiss was picked up by Johnson who raced into the box before shooting low towards goal but Carmichael got down well to smother the ball.
RCA were looking to pass the ball at every opportunity while Bishops were counter attacking with some pace. However it was both defences who looked on top in the early stages of the encounter.
In the 15 minute Larkin almost broke the deadlock when a through ball from Rowe split the Bishops defence, Larkin took the ball on his chest and although he was being pulled back he managed to get a shot on target, beating Jobling but the ball was cleared off the line by Mitchell. appeals for a penalty waved away by the referee.
RCA were using the wingers to great effect as the first half progressed and were unfortunate on a number of occassions when crosses were missed or over hit.
In the 24 minute a good run by Weldon was spotted by Megran and he played the ball out to the left, the young full back sent in a wicked cross which fell to Charlton but he couldn't control it and it went behind for a goal kick.
Bishops, having withstood this RCA pressure started to produce some forward moves of their own, A ball out of defence by Poole was chested into the path of Thompson but the ex-RCA player fired high and wide from 35 yards out.
Within minutes Bishops were on the attack again this time it was Butler linking up with Hotchkiss to find space for the Bishops midfield to get in a shot which went narrowly over the bar.
RCA came back through Charlton, he played the ball inside to Megran whose return sent Charlton clear on the right, his cross was headed away by Mitchell with Preston in close attendance, the clearance fell to Hotchkiss who set off on a run but was fouled Charlton.
The resultant freekick was sent into the box by Hotchkiss and Butler, at the far post was able to head home unchallenged. RCA 1-0 down against the run of play and thats how it stayed until half time.
The crowd had hardly settled back into their seats before RCA were level. Awarded a freekick on the left Armstrong took the kick and floated it to the far post where Preston was on hand to head home. Almost a carbon copy of the Bishop goal.
RCA had responded brilliantly to the late first half shock and now were looking to capitalise on the early goal in the second half.
A throw in on the right was picked up by Larkin who played in Charlton but his shot was blocked by Irving at the expense of a corner.
It was one way traffic at the moment with RCA pushing forward and Bishop's on the back foot. Armstrong and Rowe combined to set Megran up but his shot was blocked, the ball fell to Larkin on the edge of the box but he was unable to get in a shot as the Bishop defenders closed him down,
Five minutes later and RCA took the lead, Weldon picked the ball up from Carmichael, played it inside to Megran who found Armstrong on the left, he sent in a measured cross which was well met by Preston and the RCA forward powered home a great header.
Not content with this RCA went looking for the goal that would kill the game off, Larkin picked up another throw in from the right, this time he beat two defenders before pulling the ball back into the path of Megran who fired in a low drive which was blocked by Poole.
Bishops huffed and puffed but in the final third they were found wanting as time and again the final ball eluded them and they became very frustrated and a number of heavy, late challenges were punished with Yellow cards.
RCA should have extended their lead in the 75th minute when a through ball from Armstrong was met by Preston but his shot was well saved by Jobling.
As the game wore on substitutes were made and in the 83rd minute RCA's substitute Callen had a glorious chance to put the game beyond doubt when Jobling made a hash of a clearance and the ball fell to Callen but with an open goal at his mercy he fired the ball wide of the target.
This miss infused some life into the Bishop team and they pushed forward as the game entered injury time, however RCA looked to deal with everything fairly comfortably to see out the final 5 minutes.
This was a well deserved victory with everyone contributing to a fantastic performance, the Bishop supporter who said that RCA only looked good because Bishop were so poor, did his team and RCA a massive disservice.
There is much to like about this team now, we have a blend of youth and experience which bodes well for the future so long as we can retain this squad.
Next up weather permitting Newton Aycliffe away on Saturday.