Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match
In their second pre-season friendly RCA travelled to North Shields to face a strong Robins side.
RCA were without keeper Gary Hoggeth and new signing Gavin Barton. For the kick off the away team lined up with new keeper Kyle Donaldson and a back four of James Oates, Carl Beasley, Leon Carling and Luke Olabode, Midfield was Brian Close and Andrew Cuthbertson, who was ruled out through injury from last week's Team Northumbria game, with Gary Shields and Harrison Davies providing the width. New signing David Wells partnered Matty Tymon in attack.
Manager Neil Hixon was more than a little frustrated by the first half performance, which was disjointed for much of the period and included some uncharacteristic defensive errors. Still some cobwebs to dust down on the training ground!
The second half was a marked improvement. Returning strikers Andy Jennings and Mark Davidson led the attack with Lee Owens and Joe Walton on the wings. AJ scored early on in the half. The Robins will have seen the goal as soft.
Andy Cuthbertson, easing himself to fitness, looks a very good signing, as does Brian Close, who brings skill and steel to midfield. With marauding wingers and attacking strength, we should be quite a force this season.
Well done to keeper Kyle Donaldson who played a solid game, handling everything North Shields threw at him.
Finally, thanks to North Shields for their hospitality. They are a good club with friendly people.
RCA are away to Crook Town on Tuesday to continue their build up for the new season. See you there.