History in the making for RHP
RHP Social manager Lee Julian hailed his side’s historic achievement when they beat Whitwick Compass 2-0 to progress to the third round of the FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup.
It is the first time RHP have progressed past the first round, and they are now among 32 Sunday League teams across England fighting for a chance to lift the trophy at a major football stadium, believed to be Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
Manager Lee Julian said: “To get through to the last 32 teams in the best Sunday League competition in England is fantastic. It’s a remarkable and historic achievement.
“As far as I’m aware no Sunday League team from the Newark area has ever got as far as this in a national cup competition.”
Two goals from Craig Roche saw RHP through in front of about 70 people at Station Road, Collingham.
The Green and Whites brought in youngsters Wayne Ord and Kyle Barker to replace the injured Ricky Brewer and Ben Hage.
Oliver Dyson was unable to play due to a hamstring problem while speedy winger Daryl Price was unavailable after breaking an ankle.
The reshaped home side took time to settle and they should have fallen behind in the second minute when the visitors’ striker rounded goalkeeper Garry Attwood only to place the ball wide of the post.
The same striker was guilty of three more misses as RHP rode their luck and gradually fought their way back into the game.
Mat Roche came closest to giving the home side the lead when he headed powerfully against the crossbar from Ian Hillier’s cross, with cousin Craig Roche blasting the rebound over.
RHP were forced into changes at half-time with Louis Cree replacing the injured Tom Pick, and Martin Wilson slotting into his natural position at centre-back alongside the excellent Luke Parsons.
The deadlock was broken in the 53rd minute with the move of the match, when Craig Roche found Mat Roche with an inch-perfect 30-yard pass. The experienced centre-forward rolled back the years as he cut into the area and laid the ball back across the penalty area to Craig, who coolly slotted home from 18 yards to send the home fans wild.
Whitwick pressed for an equaliser, but found Attwood in outstanding form.
The visitors grew impatient and tempers began to flare, but RHP kept their shape and doubled their lead when Cree was fouled by the keeper when through on goal, ten minutes before the end.
Craig Roche duly converted to put the game out of reach, and RHP took another step closer to national cup glory.
Julian said: “The lads get such a buzz from playing in games like these, and we have never been past the first round, so with every game we win we make history.
“Our chance of winning the cup is slim, but all we can do is win each round as it comes and keep hanging in there.”
Teams are required to win their county’s major cup in order to qualify, meaning only the top teams from the regions take part.
Former Chelsea and England international striker Kerry Dixon featured in the final twice for St Joseph’s FC from Luton, while recent winners include ex-Leicester City, Leeds United, and Aston Villa forward Julian Joachim.
RHP have been drawn at home to Luton-based side Club Lewsey, and will move into the last 16 if they win.
The third-round tie is a week on Sunday at 1pm at Station Road, Collingham.
