Northern League: Keeper Finch the inspiration as Sunderland RCA claim fine win at Penrith
Keeper Keith Finch produced an outstanding display to inspire Martin Swales’ men, after the Cumbrians took a 19th-minute lead when the keeper spilled a shot and Martyn Coleman pounced to score from close range.
RCA levelled matters on 33 minutes, when a cross from Luke Page found Nathan O’Neill, who finished well past goalkeeper Stuart Dixon.
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Hide AdTwo minutes later, RCA went ahead, Page ending his surging run with an excellent finish from the edge of the box.
Finch made an excellent one-handed save to deny Coleman a leveller just before the break.
The game was delayed in the second half as the referee had to leave the field of play and an ambulance was called, and a substitute linesman had to be found.
When the match got going again, keeper Finch ensured the win for RCA with two magnificent saves, denying dangerman Coleman and Andrew Murray-Jones, clawing away the latter’s goal-bound header.
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Hide AdLeaders Morpeth Town went 18 points clear again, after a 3-1 defeat of seventh-top visitors Stockton Town.
Sean Taylor’s brilliant shot into the corner of the net had Morpeth ahead on 24 minutes, and Mark Davidson added a second from close range just before the hour mark.
Max Craggs powered home a 65th-minute header to rouse Stockton, but Curtis Coppen hit the hosts’ decisive third goal, following good work by Ben Sayer.
Bishop Auckland progressed to the quarter-finals of the Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup, pipping Guisborough Town 3-2 with a last-gasp winner.
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Hide AdSteven Roberts ran clear to beat keeper Gareth Young, at the second attempt as Guisborough struck first, but Bishops equalised on 60 minutes when Michael Hoganson’s free-kick went straight into the net, with keeper Shaw missing the ball.
The Priorymen regained the lead on 71 minutes, through Louis Goldsac, but Andrew Johnson made it 2-2 on 88 minutes and then, six minutes into stoppage time, he fired home a dramatic winner.