Sunderland RCA (Away): NL Division 1: Tuesday 4th October 2011

Result: Sunderland RCA 2 Marske United 2     Scorers: Wheatley, McGill

The old cliche that there are no easy games in the Northern league has been well demonstrated in RCA's last two games. Marske came with a game plan, tore it up after five minutes and proceeded to give us a lesson in attacking football. Bruised, Battered and Bewildered at half time and lucky to be only 1-0 down things couldn't get any worse? They did as Marske went 2-0 up. With 20 minutes to go super substitutions made, throw caution to the wind and see what happens. RCA score two could have scored more in final throw of the dice but are really lucky tonight to come away with a draw. Marske will bemoan the fact that, but for some magnificent goalkeeping by Gary Hoggeth, they should have won this match comfortably in the first half.

Marske were forced to make three changes to their starting line-up that so effectively saw off Newton Aycliffe at the weekend.  Steve Cochrane mid the game through a back injury and Glenn Wesson was away working in Wales.  Both midfielders were replaced by Derek Bradley and Adam Gell.  New defender Leon Carling, signed from RCA just five days earlier was unable to play due to the agreement of his transfer, and was replaced at the back by Anthony Roberts.  Danny Brunskill received the captains armband for the first time this season.

RCA once again started a game slowly only this time they were punished as Marske took the game to them.

Within three minutes Marske had taken the lead when a cross from Danny Brunskill to the far post found Derek Bradley who headed back across goal for Adam Wheatley who made no mistake from five yards out – his first goal for the club.

 A shocked Meadow Park then witnessed a display of excellent passing and gritty determination from the Marske players which had the RCA team chasing shadows. It wasn’t until the 17 minute that RCA put together a cohesive attack when Mark Davison won the ball on the right and crossed into the box but Marc Ellison in a great position 10 yards out fired the ball high over the bar.

Marske immediately went up the other end and Brunskill, receiving the ball with his back to goal, turned quickly and got in a tremendous shot which Hoggeth did well to keep hold off. Hoggeth was called upon two minutes later as a Marske corner was cleared by James Oates it fell to Michael Wilson 30 yards out and his rasping shot was brilliantly saved by Hoggeth but the ball fell into the path of Chris McGill who fired his shot at an empty goal from five yards out but Hoggeth somehow managed to get both hands on the ball and turn it away for a corner. Unbelievable double save.

From the resulting corner McGill controlled the ball on the penalty spot and with his back to goal produced an overhead kick which was heading for the top corner but for another brilliant save by the home keeper.

It had been almost constant pressure from Marske up until this point, so it was a relief to see the ball at the other end and Bryan Stewart forcing a corner which was taken by Joe Walton to the far post where Carl Beasley's header looked all over a goal but Graeme Willey managed to produce a wonderful save and Anthony Roberts cleared.
Brunskill had a great opportunity to make it 2-0 when he picked the ball up inside the area but fired wide of the target.

RCA were starting to create a little more as the game wore on and Stewart was unlucky with a 25 yard shot which had the keeper beat but thundered just past the post.

On 40 minutes Adam Gell broke down the left and cut inside leaving the fullback for dead who blatantly brought him down from behind for a stone wall penalty. This happened right in front of the linesman but no penalty given.

Few chances were made in the closing five minutes of the half as the game got bogged down in midfield and mistakes by both teams in the final third made it relatively easy for the respective defences.

Half-time:  Sunderland RCA 0 v 1 Marske United

Marske started the second half as they had started the first and should have been 2-0 up within three minutes of the restart when a cross from Jonathan Burton found McGill in space but he directed his header wide of the upright. However, it was not to be and RCA responded straight away and a great run from Walton saw him clear in the Marske area, he squared the ball to Mark Davison who curled in a shot which went narrowly wide.

The game was opening up now and in Marske’s next attack the ball was rolled to Andy Raw but his shot was turned round the corner by Hoggeth. The resulting corner from Bradley saw Hoggeth punch clear but the ball was returned into the box by Brunskill, in the ensuing goalmouth scramble McGill kept his head and cool as you like despatched the ball into the net.

2-0 down and seemingly no way back for RCA.

Queue substitutions, Lee Owens and Andy Jennings on for Oates and Andy Cuthbertson, formation change to 3-3-4 or 3-2-5? Not really sure but never mind, it seemed to do the trick as within a minute Walton’s cross to the far post was headed into the side netting by Owens.

In the 70th minute a cross from Stewart found Walton inside the six yard box but his volley was well saved by Willey.

Marske were not to be denied and forced four corners in succession each one dealt with by the RCA defence.

The quick thinking of Hoggeth, throwing the ball to Ellison on the halfway line, split the Marske defence and Ellison was able to pass the ball to Stewart inside the area but he shot into the side netting.

Marske were awarded a freekick 40 yards out and Raw chipped in a perfect ball for Brunskill who volleyed goalward but once again Hoggeth was on hand to save, the ball fell for McGill but his shot was cleared off the line by Steve Jones.

RCA were throwing caution to the wind and when they were awarded a free kick 35 yards out everyone but Hoggeth and Brian Close went forward.  Ellison crossed to the far post where Ian Maddison rose to head across the face of goal and Stewart with the deftest of touches guided the ball past Willey.

From the restart RCA regained possession and the ball was played out to the right where Jennings beat a defender before setting up Stewart but the wingers shot was tipped over the bar by Willey.
The game had moved full circle in the space of five minutes and Marske were finding it difficult to come to terms with the new look attack of RCA and it was no surprise when Owen slipped past a tackle before passing to Davison inside the area and the RCA leading goalscorer drifted past two defenders before slotting the ball home 2-2 and game on.

Marske responded with a golden opportunity when Raw sent Brunskill clear but Hoggeth was brilliant again and pulled off yet another save to deny the visitors.

Both teams had claims for penalties turned down as they went in search for the winner on both occasions it looked as if there was no intent on the part of the defender.

The match finished all square which did not really reflect the performance of Marske who would feel that they should have won comfortably. However I am sure that they would have settled for a draw before the game, as for RCA the reason that they remain unbeaten in league is their desire and passion to keep this run going and also the team spirit which has been evident from the start of the season.

Full-time:  Sunderland RCA 2 v 2 Marske United

Marske took the league leaders all the way in this match and on another night could have caused a big upset having had chances to put the game out of sight by half-time. 

Teams:

Sunderland Ryhope CA:  Hoggeth, Jones, Maddison, Beasley, Oates (Jennings), Cuthbertson (Owens), Walton, Close, Davison, Ellison, Stewart.  Not Used:  Shields, Edwards, Donaldson.

Marske United:  Willey, Wilson (Raw), Wheatley, Ormerod, Roberts, Donachie, Bradley, Gell, Brunskill, McGill, J.Burton (Gamble). 

Not Used:  Charlton, Thompson.

Referee:  Dave McCullum (Wallsend)