Durham County Under 18s Saturday Pre Season Tournament - Semi-Final

Wednesday, 9 August 2006

In a game slightly spoiled with the wind - yes the football season is upon us - Sunderland RCA with the wind at their backs piled the pressure on from the off. Two early SRCA corners were cleared frantically by the Dunlop defenders.

It was no surprise that our lads opened the scoring in the 20th minute from a twelve yard strike from Neil Errington.

After 25 minutes the lead was increased when a move involving six SRCA players was converted by left back Ross Turnbull, who started and finished the move with a crisp shot just inside the 18 yard box.

It was all the red and white lads now when after some excellent footwork by Lewis Collinson he hit a 30 yard pile driver against the Dunlop bar - the keeper was helpless and Kyle Baker stole in to convert the rebound.

Dunlop responded well and converted a reply just before half-time.

Half time score 3-1

RCA had to dig deep with the wind hard in their faces, but fortunately stole away and scored a breakaway goal through Adam Maggiore.

Dunlop responded magnificently clawing two goals back for a grand stand finale in the last 10 minutes. However our lads sealed the game in the 88th minute with a conversion by Lewis Collinson who had a very good game.

Final score 5 -3

RCA will play Brandon or Darlington Spraire in the final at Chester le Street on Saturday 12th August 2.00pm

It's just a pity the first team commence their season the same day - as this could be the first historic day in the Sunderland RCA history.

Durham County Under 18s Saturday Pre Season Tournament - Final

Saturday, 12 August 2006

Sunderland RCA Under 18s with their trophy from the Durham County Pre Season Tournament.
Manager Andrew Harrison, front row, first left.

The Under 18s give a magnificent performance on Saturday against a strong Darlington side.

SRCA certainly deserved their victory and in extra time proved comfortably winners.

The team spirit was excellent and we seem to have blended a crop of players from the three-strong Russell Foster Sunday teams (St Joseph's, Boldon Colts and Redby) into one well turned out unit. Much praise needs to go to Harry for the persistence in achieving this.

SRCA had two very early chances to go one up however a combination of good goal keeping and sometimes a little over play resulted in the tie remaining level for the first 15 minutes.

Darlington were always dangerous on the break with a couple of lively forwards being well supported by a combative midfield and it was against the run of play when they took the lead through a defensive splitting pass which was coolly dispatched by the Darlo number 9.

SRCA upped their game and Lloyd Conlin powered through the midfield and drove an unstoppable equaliser minutes after our going one down.

Half time score: 1 – 1

The game was evenly balanced and could go either way with Darlo having a strong wind at their backs. Rob Thompson and Anth Maggiore needed to be organised and strong to combat the long high balls into the SRCA penalty area and comfortably dealt with these on most occasions.

SRCA gave a sloppy free kick away on the edge of the box, some 15 minutes into the second half, and the resultant low cross evaded everyone and sneaked into the corner of the net. SRCA battled hard and it looked like the Darlo lads would hang on for victory when the energetic and physical ‘Leon’ headed a cross from Nicky Bell into the Darlo goal.

From then on it was one-way traffic and although the winning goals did not come until extra time there was only going to be one winner. Chris Curtis and man of the match Lewis Collinson sealed the first trophy of the season for the impressive Sunderland side. Lets hope there is more to follow. Well done Harry and the lads!

Durham County Lomax Training Services Under 18 League

Saturday, 19 August 2006

The Under 18’s started things rolling on Saturday morning by following up their winning of the Durham County pre season tournament with a comprehensive 5-0 win over a gutsy and competitive Sacriston team in their first league outing of the season in the Durham County Lomax Training Services under 18 league. A Chris Curtis hat trick was the highlight of a very encouraging display by the RCA youngsters.

Under 18s

Wednesday, 23 August 2006

RCA Under 18's great start to the season came to a halt with a 3-2 defeat away to Washington Dunlop on Monday night. Harry experimented with his side a little and the game started with a sloppy early goal from Washington. RCA came back strongly, dominated the first half and went in 2-1 up courtesy of two well worked goals. The second half started in similar fashion, but a Washington breakaway saw them equalise against the run of play and go on to take the points with a late goal. A wake up call for the under 18's, who we are sure will react well in future matches. They take on Chester le Street here at Meadow Park on Wednesday evening (7:00 PM KO). Come along and see how our youngsters are developing.

Wednesday, 30 August 2006

RCA Under 18's are back to winning ways. After being 2 down, they staged a great come back to beat Chester-le-Street 3 - 2 at Meadow Park.

Durham County Under 18 League

Saturday, 2 September 2006

Will the result stand?

There was unwanted drama at Meadow Park on Saturday as RCA Under 18s took on rivals New Hartley in a Durham County Under 18 League encounter. Well into the second half, and with RCA finally getting on top of a resilient New Hartley team, referee Peter Fletcher was taken ill and the game had to be abandoned as he was taken off to hospital. Peter is diabetic and his blood sugar level had fallen steeply during the game. Luckily he quickly recovered after treatment and was able to travel home later in the day. RCA were leading 3-1 at the time, but it will be up to the FA after reading the referee's report to decide whether the game has to be replayed or the result stands. Either way the most important thing is that the situation ended with all well.

Saturday, 9 September 2006

RCA under 18s won 7-1 in their home game with South Moor earlier in the day. A Chris Curtis hat trick was the highlight, backed up by a Dean McKeown brace and efforts from Andrew Hall and Nathan Dodd. The Under 18s are going well and the games are well worth watching, usually 11.00 kick offs on Saturday mornings, with free admission and the club house open for refreshments. See the fixtures on the notice board at the ground or on the web site (shortly!)

Saturday, 16 September 2006

RCA Under 18s used a free weekend to go to Catterick to play an army juniors eleven. RCA were always in charge of a young army side and won 9 - 2 in an enjoyable work out for the lads. We will be reciprocating the forces hospitality later in the year.

Saturday, 3 February 2007

After their successful trip to Scotland Sunderland RCA Under 18s returned to Durham County Lomax Training Services League action on Saturday with a crushing 6 -1 victory away to New Hartley in deepest Northumberland.

A Michael Chapman hat trick was the highlight of a very impressive performance, ably supported by strikes from Andrew Hall, Lewis Collinson and Dave Baker. The Under 18s still have nearly everything to play for this season and seem well up for it!