Pre-season friendly

Saturday, 19 July 2008

Roy Keane says there's no such thing as a friendly match. RCA would beg to differ as our generosity knew few bounds as we gifted Nissan five goals - the best goal of the game came from RCA - Rasher (Keith Graydon) hitting a screamer from nearly 30 yards into the top right corner - but that was the only consoltaion. Nobody's going to thank me for these match pictures. As for Neil's and George's comments: they are probably not repeatable here!

Alan Thompson Memorial Cup

Thursday, 24 July 2008

Keith Graydon (RCA captain), Lisa Thompson, Maureen Thompson, Robert Dixon (Ryhope CW captain)and Mark Thompson with the Alan Thompson Memorial Cup

Rain and a water-logged pitch had led to the postponement of this year's Alan Thompson memoriual cup match between local rivals Sunderland RCA and Ryhope Colliery Welfare. Last night's match lit up the sea fret gloom as both sides provided a competitive match with entertaining football.

After a goalless first half of few clear opportunities for either side, RCA took the lead early in the second period through a fine Adam McGuiness shot from the edge of the area. This goal was quickly followed by a double from new signing Paul Taylor.

The CW replied with a goal from Mark Turnbull.

This was another good work out for RCA, as new formations are tried and new players get used to each other. With three more friendlies to play - two against First Division Ryton and Dunston Fed - RCA will hope to be firing on all cylinders by the time we kick off the Northern League season on 9 Agust, away to Prudhoe.

Pre-season friendly

Saturday, 26 July 2008

Granted: Ryton's ground has hardly made for happy hunting for RCA of late and this is no weather for football, but this was a dispiriting performance that needs getting out of our systems ASAP. All credit though to Ryton who looked good during many parts of this match. It looks like they will more than hold their own in their first season in Division 1.

Ill-fortune saw us concede early on as the ball deflected off Wayne Henderson's shoulder to loop over stranded keeper Craig Shields, but as Ryton went 3 - 0 up with 30 minutes they dominated with slick and incisive passing and running.

Things tightened up after half-time, but there was little incisiveness in our attack. All credit to Jon Newton for some strong running, but he'll be kicking himself for not finishing off two of his chances.

Although it was good to see Paul Sammons come on for his first action of the season, we're also more than a bit concerned by early season knocks to Andy Jennings and Gary Shields, who did not play on Saturday.

Match photos

Jon Newton rounds the Ryton keeper, but does not find the net

Strong tackling from RCA's right back

An effective clearance

This Ryton effort hit the bar

Pre-season friendly

Thursday, 31 July 2008

Jolly Potter FC, from the Wearside Combination League Premier Division were last night's guests at Meadow Park. The hosts were mean and the visitors generous as the difference in status was clear across the park and throughout the match. That said, the Jolly Potters were a great set of lads who got on with their football in a good competitive spirit with no moaning. All credit to them and best wishes for the season. There was a particularly good performance from ex-RCA Under -18, Lloyd Conlin, playing number seven in midfield.

Gary Shields opened the scoring on three minutes - it should have been earlier - and made it two on 10 minutes by converting a cross from the left. On 26 minutes Gary completed his hat trick, heading in from a left wing cross, which had followed a nice set of midfield passes. Four minutes into the second half and he scored his fourth, receiving the ball in the six-yard box, taking a few showboat steps and passing the ball into the net from virtually the goal line. By this time RCA were five - nil up, the Jolly Potter having conceded an own goal on nine minutes from a right-wing Andy Middleton cross.

Manager Neil Hixon used the match to give many players a run out. This was Paul Sammons first full start of the pre-season, playing alongside Keith Graydon in central midfield, alongside Andy Middleton and Adam McGuiness out wide. It was good to see Paul come through the match feeling good. Glenn Moan at right back always looked cool, classy and in control. Ash Davis was back from his holidays and showed off his pace and power before cramp set in. Sean Davies played well at centre half.

On seventy five minutes new signing Anth Holmes made it six - nil and three minutes later up popped Dean Goodwin to volley home powerfully to make it seven up. After injury, this was Dean's first run out and it was good to see his powerful midfield drive on show again at Meadow Park.