Total Sport Challenge Trophy - First Round
Sunday, 12 October 2008
RCA The Barnes progressed to the Second Round of the Total Sport Challenge Trophy with a hard earned 2-1 victory against their previously undefeated 'derby' rivals Grangetown Florists.
The first half produced few chances for either side in what was a typically physical match up, with neither side willing to concede ground, RCA Northern League player, Lee Owens had the first chance for Grangetown, but put his effort wide of the post after a cut back from Peter Benson. Then Anthony Teasdale had a good effort well saved after being released by Willie Crew.
After 40 minutes however the deadlock was broken when RCA were awarded a free kick on the left hand corner of the Grangetown box and when the ball was delivered into the six yard box Paul Hartley got the final touch to give RCA the lead. As so often happen though, in tight matches, once a team score the other side always seem to strike back immediately, and this game was no exception, when just about straight from the kick off Grangetown's right back Keith Churchill surged forward well into the RCA half before releasing to the left wing and continued his run into the penalty area to receive the return ball and easily slot home to give a half time score of 1-1.
The second half saw half chances for both sides without ever producing a clear cut chance untill Willie Crew produced a clinical finish after receiving the ball with his back to goal in the inside left position. He turned the defender and sent a curling shot into the net via the far post to regain the lead for RCA.
Grangetown pressed for an equaliser and left gaps at the back which Anthony Teasdale should have exploited to put the tie to bed after being released again by Crew, but RCA comfortably held out to secure the win, which in the end they just about deserved, and now look forward to the visit of Liverpool Lee Jones F.C. next Sunday (19 October) for the first round tie in the FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup, at Meadow Park - 2:00 PM KO.