Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.
Ryhope Colliery Welfare deservedly regained the Allan Thompson Memorial Cup last night in a well-supported match at Ryhope Recreation Park. For RCA it was a match too far, following on Saturday’s game against Stockton and particularly the previous night’s visit to Pennywell for the opening match at the new Quarry Hill facilities. No excuses, though: Ryhope CW merited their victory. They are certainly on a winning streak: before the match RCA captain Wayne Henderson presented Phil Hall with a salver to congratulate RCW on their magnificent 2010-11 season.
Mrs Maureen Thompson had asked that all proceeds from the match went in aid of George Johnson, the 18 month old son of ex-Ryhope CW player Neil Johnson, who unfortunately has a very rare illness which means he has spent all but three weeks of his life in hospital and needs constant care. I understand from RCA Chairman Owen Haley that a £300 cheque will be going to the Team George Charity Appeal.
RCA’s play was riddled with defensive errors from the start and Ryhope CW took the lead, quickly doubling it from the penalty spot. In between these goals, RCA keeper Gary Hoggeth went down injured and after some treatment on the field limped off to be replaced by new signing Kyle Donaldson.
Later in the half, RCA’s best attacking threat, Mark Davison, jumped high to loop a header home to make the score 2 - 1 to the home side at the break.
Any hopes that RCA would turn the match around in the second half were dashed by two goals, both the products of defensive errors, in quick order for Ryhope CW. RCA continued to attack and the incisiveness of winger Lee Owens was rewarded by a goal to make it 4 - 2, but it was too little, too late for the visitors.
So, a first pre-season defeat to follow on the recent victories against two other Wearside League teams, Stockton Town and Sunderland West End. Stockton approached the match at Meadow Park with an enthusiasm not often met with in friendly games and RCA were too casual by far, particularly at the back; ‘play out of not in defence’ was manager Hixon’s key remark at half time. Class showed through, though, with goals from David Wells, Carl Beasley from a penalty, off the rebound from the keeper, after a foul on Gavin Barton, and a pile-driver of a shot from outside the box from Mark Davison. Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.
At Pennywell on Tuesday evening, Sunderland West End took the lead after keeper Donaldson conceded a penalty. Leon Carling lashed in an equalizer early on in the second half, Andy Cuthbertson made it 2 - 1 and David Wells rounded it off for RCA with a good goal on the left. By the way, all credit to the West End goal keeper, who played the first half, who pulled off at least four terrific saves.
Finally, a big welcome back to Adam McGuinness, who played against us at centre forward for Sunderland West End on Tuesday night and for us in his more familiar left back position against Ryhope CW.