Northern League

Tuesday, 10 October 2006

Another disappointing night for SRCA against Esh Winning. SRCA took the lead through Jon Butler after 10 minutes and in an even first half Esh equalised after 30 minutes. SRCA had experienced defenders Paul Moss and Marcel Lundy making their debuts and they certainly gave an air of security at the back with Gary Anderson and Lee Charlton holding the wide defensive berths.

The second half saw few chances with Esh generally having the slight edge but SRCA also making chances. Willie Crew took the ball around the keeper in one attack but was forced wide before he could get his shot in, and as the ball broke Adam Monkhouse, making his seasonal debut after injury, agonisingly hit the bar. It summed up SRCA's season to date when Esh broke the deadlock 10 minutes from time with an absolute screamer of a free kick.

Northern League

Saturday, 14 October 2006

It’s a tough and challenging time for players and staff and Sunderland RCA! Losing 4 – 0 at Hebburn Town did not make for good watching. Hebburn went one up through centre forward Paul McKenna’s 31st minute strike, but the first half was a very evenly balanced affair, with SRCA unfortunate to go into half time a goal down.

The game altered dramatically after Hebburn’s Michael Younger made it 2 – 0 in the 50th minute which led to a change of formation to gamble to pull the game back. Goals from Daniel Grey (73) and sub Tony Hanson (80) piled on the misery and it could have been worse but for wasteful Hebburn finishing.

In the second half, Karl Jarvis produced one of his trademark long strikes at goal, which slammed into the bar with the keeper stationary. This was not our day.

New players have arrived and once they bed in we’re confident that we will turn things around. For everyone at the club now’s the time to re-discover the self-belief in our abilities and our fighting spirit.

Durham County Challenge Cup

Tuesday, 17 October 2006

In a match in which they were never behind, Murton AFC went through to the next round of the Durham County Challenge Cup 4 – 3 after extra time at Meadow Park.

After a 20-minute delay because of floodlight failure, Murton took the lead in the tenth minute through a Stephen Brown goal. Despite their efforts, RCA had to wait for until the second half for John Butler to equalise on 46 minutes.

Paul Moss, centre, heads past the Murton AFC keeper to make it 2 - 2
at Meadow Park in the Durham County Challenge Cup

Karl Garside made it 2 – 1 to the visitors on 63 minutes and RCA centre half Paul Moss equalised on 76 and the score stayed at 2 – 2 to full time.

Murton took the lead in extra time through Paul Wintrip, who headed home from a corner at the cemetery end. Si Andrews, who had come on as a substitute for Willie Crew, broke away to place a fine shot past the Murton keeper.

Paul Wintrip heads home a Murton corner to put Murton 3 - 2 up

In the 110th minute, Murton went on to win the game through a fine individual goal from Stephen Turner, who earlier had had a penalty saved by RCA keeper Niki Lawson.

Congratulations to Murton on their win and we wish them the best for the next round.

Northern League

Saturday, 21 October 2006

More woe for RCA as we go down 3-0 to a strong Penrith side at Meadow Park on Saturday. A competitive game throughout but RCA were punished for defensive mistakes with three first half Penrith goals all from short range headers settling the game before half time.

The lads kept fighting and showed good spirit and were unlucky not to notch at least one consolation goal in the second half.

Northern League

Saturday, 28 October 2006

A late flurry of goals saw RCA slump to a harsh 4 0 defeat at Norton and Stockton Ancients. RCA were fully in the game for the great majority of the match with only a 30 minute goal for the Ancients dividing the teams going into the final 15 minutes. By this time RCA were going full out a three man strike force and paid the penalty for leaving gaps at the back as Norton broke and scored quickly.

Northern League

Tuesday, 31 October 2006

The first bitterly cold night of the season saw RCA at Prudhoe Town and again our luck was out. Goalless for 60 minutes, RCA were weakened by the loss of the inspirational Paul Moss after the hour with a suspected hamstring pull and conceded two goals in quick succession midway through the second half from a well taken free kick and a close range header. No further goals were forthcoming as Prudhoe coasted home.