Last gasp equaliser earns Sunderland RCA a point as Prudhoe’s winless run continues
Prudhoe YC 2-2 Sunderland RCA
Prudhoe and Sunderland RCA were forced to share the spoils at Essity Park after a thrilling second half comeback from Mark Forrest’s men.
Goals from Freddie Marr and Collins Unuareokpa in the 27th and 69th respectively had the YC on course for their first win since November. That was until RCA’s Jackson Ward pulled one back in the 71st and Liam Appleby equalised in the 89th minute.
The home team came into the game looking to get back on track in their fight for a play-off place following a winless period of seven matches in the league.
As for RCA, they hoped to carry on recent momentum after gathering four points from the last two games.
The YC’s first chance of the match came in the 7th minute when Unuareokpa latched onto Harry Marr’s teasing through ball, however RCA keeper Preston Leech came out well to stop the winger’s effort.
At 27 minutes, after an attempted clearance from a YC corner, the referee signalled to the spot for handball, giving the home side a golden chance to take the lead. Prudhoe done just that as Marr cooly sent the keeper the wrong way slotting his effort into the bottom right corner.
There was almost instant response from the visitors at the half hour mark, as Appleby held the ball well and laid in Ward down the left side. Luckily for the YC, Sam Wilson made himself big with a strong save.
Moments before half time, Ryan Ndiweni done brilliantly to win the ball back in RCA’s penalty area and get a shot off early, resulting in a low save from Leech.
In the second half, the away team were nearly gifted a foothold back in the game. Prudhoe’s Riley Boertien failed to get enough purchase on his backpass to Wilson, causing a scramble with Callum Hughes who eventually couldn’t get enough power on his effort towards the open net.
That said, the away side’s pressure throughout the second period seemed to have gone to waste by the 69th minute, as Unuareokpa made it three goals in just as many games. An inch perfect trivela through ball from Brad Rogers released the winger, who emphatically fired home.
Prudhoe’s breathing space didn’t last long as the visitors halved the deficit minutes later through Ward. RCA’s men were lining up around the YC box, with the number eight’s initial strike blocked before rifling home on the rebound.
From here, the away side ramped up the pressure with four corners in the final 15 minutes of the game.
Just before the end of normal time, Appleby earned RCA a deserved point. Thomas Bexton’s initial header from Adam Cocks’ corner rattled the cross bar before the number nine smashed home on the half volley.
This proved to be the last opportunity of the game with both sides forced to settle for a draw.
Both sides could do each other a favour in their next outings. Prudhoe host Grangetown Boys Club at Essity Park on Tuesday night, whilst Sunderland RCA gear up for a home clash against FC Hartlepool next weekend.
