RCA boss left fuming by Moors’ winner (From The Northern Echo)

RCA boss left fuming by Moors’ winner

11:58am Monday 18th March 2013 in Sport

SUNDERLAND RCA manager Neil Hixon is thinking about resigning at the end of the season after a controversial penalty gave Spennymoor Town the points at the Brewery Field on Saturday.

The RCA looked as if they would hold on for a point, until referee Dean Hulme ruled that Steve Richardson was fouled by Paul Wardle, and Micky Rae scored from the spot to give Moors a 2-1 win and keep the pressure on leaders Darlington.

“In no way was that a penalty,” fumed Hixon. “Their player shot wide of goal and then collided with our player.

“Some refereeing decisions this season have been incredible.

We had a goal given against us after the referee blew his whistle for a free kick, and now this. It was embarrassing.

I’m thinking of seeing the season out and then resigning.”

Moors took the lead on 29 minutes when skipper Danny Moore outjumped the RCA keeper Jonny Ball and scored with a header from Andrew Stephenson’s corner, but in the second half Gary Shaw fired the equaliser.

Moors are 23 points behind Quakers with eight games in hand, and are playing twice this week ahead of their Vase tie in Guernsey on Saturday.

Billingham Town kept the relegation fight alive when they came from behind to beat Penrith 2-1.

Town trailed to a 28th minute strike by Kevin Halliday, and just after the break Kevin Connelly missed a good chance for the second.

However, Town levelled after 73 minutes with a powerful hit by Harrison Davies from a Glen Butterworth pass, and Butterworth scored a late winner direct from a free kick just outside the box.

Town are now just two points behind fourth bottom Newton Aycliffe, having played a game more.

Norton are looking increasingly doomed after they lost 1- 0 at Marske United. Norton played much better than of late and nearly scored through Callum Martin, but they were beaten after 78 minutes when Karl Charlton cut in and scored with the outside of his left foot.

Marske climbed three places, above Sunderland RCA, Newcastle Benfield and Penrith, and are five points above the drop zone. Norton are 21 points adrift.

Celtic Nation used three goalkeepers in their 4-3 defeat at Hebburn. Usual keeper Dan Lowson started the game, and was beaten twice by James Luccock and Stephen Forster in the first ten minutes. Steve Archibald pulled a goal back for Celtic Nation, but then they had Lowson sent off for a foul on Luccock, so Michael Reed went in goal and was beaten by Stuart Nicholson’s penalty.

Player-manager Steve Skinner went in goal in the second half, and he was beaten after 48 minutes by Nicholson to make it 4-1. But then Reed, playing back in the forward line, scored twice to give Hebburn a late scare.

Shildon, with an eye on this Saturday’s FA Vase semi final against Tunbridge Wells, drew 1-1 with last season’s finalists West Auckland.

Both sides carved out good chances until West’s Andrew Green was red-carded for elbowing an opponent, and a few minutes later Robbie Briggs headed Shildon in front from an Adam Johnston corner.

West rolled up their sleeves and equalised when Mattie Moffat grabbed his 29th league goal of the season, to keep him at the top of the league scoring charts.

The league has agreed to postpone Shildon’s home game with Billingham Town on Wednesday Durham City, playing their fourth game in a week, drew 1-1 at Billingham Synthonia thanks to a stoppage time goal.

Synners were on top in the first half and Nathan Porritt crossed for Nathan Wilson to score from a few yards. City levelled when Ricky Fenwick crossed for recent signing Mattie Scott to tap in.

Guisborough recovered from their 7-3 defeat on Thursday night to beat Bishop Auckland 3-2.

Bishops took the lead through Andy Johnson’s 27th league goal of the season from a Dan Hawkins pass, but Nathan Steel fired into the top corner from 25 yards for the equaliser.

Guisborough were awarded a penalty after Dan Johnson was brought down by Bishops keeper Peter Jeffries, but Jeffries pushed Jamie Poole’s penalty around the post. However, Lee Bythway scored from the corner taken by his brother Luke.

Hawkins levelled with a good run and low shot for Bishops on the hour, but Guisborough scored the winner with a strike by recent signing Dan Johnson.

Consett had a good 2-0 away win at Dunston UTS. Michael Mackay cut in from the wing and fired into the top corner after seven minutes, and he got the second early in the second half when he won possession just outside the Dunston box and fired home.

Paul Chow is just one goal short of a double century of goals for Whitley Bay after he scored both in the 2-2 draw at Team Northumbria.

Chow twice fired Whitley ahead but Mark Fenwick hit both equalisers.

A point was no good for second bottom South Shields in their goalless draw at Newcastle Benfield, who squandered several chances. Benfield are sixth bottom, just four points above the relegation zone, while Shields are 17 points from safety.

Second division leaders Crook had a good day, winning 1-0 at Stokesley while most of their nearest rivals dropped points.

Crook’s goal came in the first half through Steven Turnbull from a corner. Crook could have added more, but Stokesley improved in the second half and missed a couple of chances for an equaliser.

Second-placed Ryhope CW were held to a 2-2 draw at third-placed Jarrow Roofing after they led 2-0 early in the second half. Michael Charlton put Ryhope into the lead with a left-foot shot, and he got a second when he scored from a Chris Trewick assist.

Ryhope keeper Chris Rookes saved a Liam McBryde penalty, but then Roofing pulled a goal back when Andrew Grant-Soulsby scored from close range. McBryde levelled from a rebound for Roofing, and at the death Ryhope missed a chance of a winner when Josh Carmichael saved a Nathan Johnson penalty.

Darlington RA, who hit eight in midweek, lost 5-3 at Whickham after Lee Farrington, David Webster and Stephen Allison gave them a 3-1 lead in the first half.

Tony Thirkell, who usually plays up front for Whickham, had to play as an emergency centre half, but still scored a hat-trick, with Andrew Farrey and Abu Salim also scoring.

North Shields are now fourth after beating bottom club Horden 2-0. Midway through the second half Paul Watson fired home, then Ben Richardson lobbed the keeper for the second.

Tow Law recorded their eighth away league win of the season when they beat Washington 2-1. Washington took the lead just before half-time through Dan Young, but Luke Parkinson and Robert Hurton hit back for the Lawyers.

Esh Winning are still in the bottom two after losing 3-1 at Ryton. The home side led through Chris Compson after three minutes, then Paul King converted a penalty on 15.

Craig Coates pulled a goal back just before half-time, but Esh’s hopes were killed off by Lawrence McKenna.

Esh are still just a point behind third-bottom Alnwick, who lost 3-1 at Seaham Red Star. Kris Goss chipped Seaham into the lead, but Dan Thompson levelled. However, Ivan Stoyanov and Alan Pegram scored for Seaham in the second half, with Goss also missing a penalty.

Birtley ended West Allotment’s 12-game unbeaten run, taking the lead through Peter Henderson from a free kick with ten minutes left.

Matthew Hornsby scored a second from another setpiece.

Chester-le-Street were within minutes of victory at Brandon, who scored late in the game to earn a point.

Lewis Lynch gave Chester the lead after eight minutes, but they missed several chances and paid the penalty when Stephen Moody scored.

The games at Newton Aycliffe, Northallerton and Morpeth were postponed.

In the Evo-Stik League, Whitby drew 0-0 at Matlock, while Blyth beat Ilkeston 3-2, with goals by Stephen Turnbull, Dan Maguire and a last minute penalty winner by Joe Kendrick.