Dominic Moan evades a challenge during a second half attack.
For more photos from the match please click here.
Following hot on the heels of Thursday’s win at AFC Killingworth, Sunderland RCA went into this afternoon's home friendly match with Billingham Synthonia looking for a fourth victory in five pre-season matches played.
RCA took the lead in the tenth minute when O'Neill made progress down the inside right channel before squaring the ball to Callen, who, from just inside the Synners’ penalty area, finished well, high into the corner with a curling, right foot strike. 15 minutes later and RCA doubled the lead and again it was O'Neill who was the provider on the right, this time squaring the ball low to Davison who finished low into the corner from just inside the penalty area. Five minutes later and Synners were awarded a penalty after Page tripped Weatherald as he advanced at pace into the penalty area. Weatherald himself slotted home the penalty.
Half-time: Sunderland RCA 2 Billingham Synthonia 1
20 minutes into the second half and RCA restored their two-goal advantage as a McGuinness corner was half cleared and the ball was whipped back into the danger area by McGuinness and Davison headed home at the far post. Ten minutes later and Synners were back in the match after a ball was played in from the right and Pollock fired in a terrific effort from the edge of the RCA penalty area that flew into the roof of the net. Three minutes later and RCA got a fourth from the penalty spot after Moan was tripped. Like Weatherald in the first half had done, Moan picked himself up to score. In the final minutes, both sides created further openings without troubling the scorers.
A highly entertaining and competitive match that, at times, threatened to boil over.
Well worth two quid of anyone's money!
Next up for RCA is a friendly match at Perth Green - home of Northern League Division Two side Jarrow, where - last pre-season - RCA won a tight match 2-0 with a brace from Colin Larkin. Jarrow were embarking on their first ever season in the Northern League last year and finished in a very respectable and comfortable 12th place in the table, so another competitive match can be expected.
Tuesday, 24 July, kick-off 7:30pm.