Goal scorers - Penrith: Coleman. RCA: O’Neill; Page.
Sunderland RCA made the trip over the Pennines to Cumbria and to Penrith for tonight's rearranged Northern League match.
RCA made three changes to the side that was narrowly beaten by Marske United the previous Tuesday - Ross McNab replaced Adam McGuinness at left back, Luke Page returned after serving a two-match suspension in place of James Cassidy, and Nathan O'Neill started up front in place of Colin Larkin.
The two sides lined up as follows:
Penrith: Dixon; James; Holliday; Moynan; Davidson (c); Bowman; Gardner; Main; Coleman; Murray-Jones; Robertson.
RCA: Finch; Noble; McNab; Preston; Swansbury (c); Hodgson; Charlton; Elliott; Page; O'Neill; Callen.
Here is a very brief summary of the match:
Penrith got the match off to a positive start, with Murray-Jones firing a shot wide of the post, before Robertson first forced a save from Finch and then fired a subsequent effort wide of the post. In the 19th minute, the home side's early pressure told as Finch wasn't able to hold a shot from Robertson, and Coleman (who has a knack of scoring against RCA every time he faces us) was left with a simple tap-in from close range.
Just after the half hour and two goals in quick succession swung the match in RCA's favour - first O'Neill finished off a Page cross for his 20th goal of the season. Great to see Nathan back on the score sheet. Then, one minute later, Page went past his man and finished well into the corner of the net. Penrith then had a couple of attacks as Murray-Jones played in Gardner whose shot was blocked and then Coleman had a shot saved by Finch to give RCA a half-time lead. The second half failed to produce any further goals, giving RCA an excellent win and our first of 2018.
Tonight's RCA man of the match was chosen by Graham English. Graham picked Craig Hodgson for “great work protecting the centre halves (who were also excellent), strong in the challenge and a great all round display “. Well played, Craig!
Next up for RCA is the shortest away trip of the season as we head up the road for the Ryhope Derby with Ryhope Colliery Welfare this Saturday, 27 January. Kick-off is at 3pm.