Match reports

RCA's Simon Jakab fends off a West Allotment second half attack.

Our first home game of the season and we took on West Allotment Celtic at Sunderland LGV Park in this re-arranged match due to pitch problems at their East Palmerville Sports Pavillion pitch. As always a warm welcome was extended to the Committee, Players and supporters.

After the dramatic equaliser at Carlisle last weekend the team showed a resilience that has become a trademark of Steve Riley’s management style, they never gave up.

Long term injuries ruled Lavery, Tait and Winn out while Hawkins, Morris and Marrs were unavailable due to holidays. The management team brought Antony Lowerson on a dual contract to cover for Marrs in goal.

The teams lined up as follows:

Sunderland RCA: Lowerson, Nelson, Charlton ©, Allen, Jakab, Lawrence, Charmey, Patton, Davison, Johnson, Richardson. Subs:  Moan, Annang-Colquhoun, Ene, Bell, Richards.

West Allotment Celtic: Scott, Baltazar, Parkinson, Forster, Scott ©, Errington, Baxter, Kanda, Larmouth, Thompson, Higgins. Subs: Donaghey, Devine, Lowery-Matondo, Carr, Brady.

Having lost on penalties last week RCA returned to Esh Winning to play Pools Youth FC in the 3rd / 4th place play-off.

Pools Youth took advantage of the slope in the first half, but it was RCA who created the first chance of the game.  A smart through ball from Charlton found Morris but he miscued his effort and the ball went wide of the target.

RCA took the lead in the 11th minute when Lawrence won the ball in midfield before playing it into the path of Charlton who controlled the ball before lashing it into the bottom corner.

Pools Youth were level six minutes later when a long hopeful ball over the top from the keeper saw the number six muscle his way past the RCA defence before drilling the ball past Marrs.

Almost from the kick off RCA Charlton broke on the left before crossing into the box where Morris sent a looping header beyond the Pools youth keeper.

Andrew Johnson has a second half shot blocked.

RCA were drawn against the hosts Esh Winning in the Alderson Building Services Trophy. Prior to our match West Auckland Town played Hartlepool Pools Youth, comfortably going through to the final next week with a 7 - 1 win. 

RCA's manager was looking to get minutes of playing time into the players legs after a slight set back in preparations during the week.

Esh had the advantage of the slope in the first half but it was RCA who had majority of possession in the opening period, however with almost their first attacking move Esh took the lead, a long range thunderbolt of a shot was brilliantly saved by Marrs but the ball rebounded to Esh's number 8 who smashed the ball into the net from 10 yards out.

Whilst RCA threatened their only real effort on goal came in the 37th minute when a Charlton corner was met by Jakab but his header was cleared off the line and scrambled away.

A long journey south for the RCA faithful to play Redcar Athletic at their BM Bi-Fold ground. This was our first visit to the newly promoted Steelmen’s ground and a very impressive set up it is too and very friendly people.

The hosts have had a reasonably good first season, but RCA would be looking reverse the 4-3 defeat suffered at the hands of the “Steelmen” back in October last year.

The RCA management team was forced to make one change to the team who beat West Auckland Town last week with the injured Ben Errington unable to play due to a knee problem sustained in that match. He was replaced by Callum Patton with a slightly reshuffled back line.

The teams lined up as follows:

Redcar Athletic: Bean, McGuckin, Farrington, Woodhouse ©, Krakue, Brown, Clarkson, Young, Martin, Rivis, Walker. Subs: Jackson, Williams, Mitchell, Eglington.

Sunderland RCA: Marrs, Allen, Charlton, Jakob, Hawkins ©, Lawrence, Hennis, Patton, Davison, Annang-Colquhoun, Carr. Subs:  Johnson, Richardson, Mitchell, Bell, Herdman.