Wednesday, 25 March 2015
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Goalscoreres: Penrith: Coleman, SRCA: Armstrong.
RCA were without both Manager (holiday) and Assistant Manager (work commitments) for tonight's crucial EBAC Northern League match away to Penrith. In their absence Ian Smith (Head coach), selected the team. Lee Bythway passed a late fitness test and took his place alongside Ross Preston at the heart of RCA's defence, James Armstrong returned to the team to replace Keiran Megran and Joe Hughes started the game in place of the injured Colin Larkin.
A draw in this match would see RCA move out of the bottom three for the first time in 2015.
The opening exchanges of this game were very even as both teams looked to test each other out, a long ball from Paul towards Coleman brought RCA’s keeper Carmichael into the action bravely coming out to smother ball at the feet of the Penrith striker.
Then a speculative ball forward by Jury sent Hughes off on a run but the ball bounced awkwardly and the chance of a shot on goal disappeared.
In the 13th minute Davis played the ball forward to Charlton who slipped past his marker before sending a cross which was put out for a corner by Smith, the resulting corner, taken by Armstrong, caused panic in the Penrith defence as the whipped in ball evaded everyone inside the six yard area and went tamely through for a goal kick.
RCA took the lead four minutes later when Davis was fouled 25 yards out. Armstrong lined up the kick and curled a magnificent shot into the top corner of the net giving Richardson in the Penrith goal no chance.
The pace of the game was fast and the ball was being switched from end to end quickly, neither team were allowed time to settle on the ball.
A well placed pass from Davis to Bogie saw RCA open up the Penrith defence again as Bogie squeezed the ball into the path of Hughes and it took a great covering tackle by Hope to deny the RCA frontman.
In the 28th minute Penrith were level, an RCA attack on the left broke down near the corner flag, Paul winning the ball played it to Bell who curled a 40 yard pass up the touchline and into the path of Coleman, the Penrith danger man surged into the box, moved the ball onto his right foot and powered in a stunning shot which flew past Carmichael and inside the far post.
Both teams continued to work hard to deny space and time on the ball and restricted their respective opponents to long range efforts which didn’t trouble either keeper.
As half time approached RCA were denied a goal by a brilliant one handed save from Richardson, Brown had won the ball in midfield and threaded a pass to Callen who unleased a terrific shot which was heading for the top corner until intercepted by the Penrith stopper.
The second half saw both teams start cautiously and the game became bogged down in a midfield battle, there was always the threat of Coleman doing something special for Penrith although he was well marshalled for the most part by Preston and Bythway, while Bogie and Callen where keeping the home defence busy from time to time.
As the game started to open up chances started to be created, the first of the second fell to Hughes who was given the ball by Armstrong, the forward ran into the box before attempting to shoot but the ball went wide of the target.
Penrith were a little shaken by this and started to send the ball forward with more purpose, mainly aiming for Coleman who was showing great strength to hold the ball up and in the 59th minute the striker managed to shrug off the challenge of Jury before firing straight at Carmichael.
Davis and Charlton were still getting some success down the right and on the hour mark Charlton, released by Davis found himself in space on the right his cross, meant for Bogie was cut out by Richardson who then sent a long ball forward to Coleman who controlled the ball before turning and firing in a low drive which went wide of the post.
Penrith were starting to exert some pressure on the RCA defence, a long throw in the 62 minute caused panic as the ball was headed on by Kelly to Coleman who found Elliott in a great position at the back post, but from inside the six yard area he could only stab the ball wide under pressure from Davis.
RCA responded with a half chance at the other end, Davis sent a diagonal ball toward Callen on the edge of the box, he chested the ball into the path of substitute Wood who sliced his shot wide of the target.
In the 68th minute a Penrith corner was punched clear by Carmichael, the ball fell to Kelly who slipped the ball inside to Jackson who fired in an rising effort which Carmichael saved quite comfortably.
The closer it got to the end of the game the more frantic both teams were becoming to try and conjure up a winning goal, Bogie, picking the ball up from Armstrong ran to the bye-line before crossing into the box but the ball was behind both Callen and Armstrong and Penrith cleared.
The game switched to the other end where Elliott played a great ball in to Coleman who played the ball out wide to Bell, he measured a floating ball back into the box toward Jackson but Preston managed to head clear to avert the danger.
As in the first half the game became a little scrappy as both teams started to tire, a shot from Charlton went wide and then Wood and Bogie almost combine to get the winner with the goalkeeper hopelessly out of position but Paul was able to clear up.
RCA went close in the final minutes of the game when a cross from Coe was met by Callen who managed to square the ball into the path of Jury but the RCA Captain had a rush of blood to the head and fired well over the bar.
This was the last real action of the game although the last minute was fast and furious with both teams looking to try and get a winner but not wanting to make the mistake that might gift the game to the opposition, stalemate ensued.
This was a massive point for the team and indeed does take us out of the bottom three.
Once again the whole squad showed their commitment to the cause and in a competitive match, they equalled if not bettered their opponents on the night. Also a massive thanks to Smudge and Larks for their efforts and input before during and after the game. (Pity the Secret shopper seems to have been absent tonight as it wouls have been straight 5's).
Next up is a trip to Marske (by the Sea) on Saturday where any sort of a result in our favour will be a big big bonus.