Sunderland Sunday League
Sunday 2 November 2008
RCA The Barnes overcame Myers FC 2-0 in their third league fixture in a closely fought match at Meadow Park.
Kicking up the slope in the first half, RCA found Myers small nippy forwards a handful for the first 20 minutes and Myers probably should have capitalised, but for some resolute defending and good goalkeeping. RCA then slightly changed formation and started to create chances themselves with Mark Robinson hitting the crossbar and Willie Crew just failing to connect with another good cross from Mark Robinson, who was beginning to cause Myers problems down the left flank.
The best chance for RCA to take the lead was when Willie Crew got free in the inside right channel to force a good blocked save from Myers keeper Ryan Graham with the ball rebounding to an unmarked Andy Gilbert six yards out, but he headed over the bar when it looked easier to score and the half finished 0-0.
The second half saw Myers open strongly again with a good chance falling their way after 50 minutes. But from then on it was RCA who took control and with both wide men, Martin Metcalfe and Mark Robinson finding acres of space they began creating chances, but could not quite finish them off due to good defending and especially some excellent goalkeeping from Ryan Graham in the Myers goal. Eventually though, as the game entered the final ten minutes, RCA made the breakthrough when Martin Metcalfe broke into the box and avoided two desperate challenges only to be felled by the third, resulting in a penalty, which skipper Michael Curtis duly despatched to give RCA the lead.
The game then went end to end until in the final minute Myers were awarded a corner, from which they thought they had equalised when they claimed the ball had crossed the line prior to goalkeeper Chris Errington gathering. While they appealed in vain to the referee Errington released substitute Gary Tyzack down the right wing and he squared to the waiting Willie Crew in the box who slotted home to give a final score of 2-0 to RCA The Barnes, which over the ninety minutes they just about deserved, but credit to a spirited and commited Myers outfit which resuted in an entertaining game.