RCA had arranged two friendlies ahead of their Durham Challenge Cup match against Chester-le-Street United on the 13th April 2021.
The first was tonight's away friendly against Horden Community Welfare.
RCA fielded a strong team as the management team assessed the fitness of the players.
Horden had 22 players to choose from.
The home team were under pressure for most of the opening 20 minutes with Davison, Dorward, Larkin and Milburn all spurning chances to open the scoring.
However, turning back the years, Larkin produced a mesmerising spell of football in the 24th minute, when he outpaced the Horden defence before slotting past the keeper. Then two minutes later a trademark body swerve sent the keeper the wrong way to put the visitors 2 - 0 up.
So it stayed up to half time.
Horden made a number of changes at half time and in the opening 10 minutes of the half they had two fantastic opportunities to get on the score sheet, the first from a mistake in the RCA defence saw Horden's striker with an open goal and on the edge of the six yard box but he somehow managed to squirm his shot wide. The second was well held by Keaton.
It took until the 75th minute for RCA to increase thier lead, Davison picking up a squared ball and smashing home from the edge of the box. In replication of Larkin's first half feat Davison smashed home a second goal in the 77th minute to make it 4 - 0.
Larkin, not to be outdone, completed the scoring in the 86th minute with another dribble and side-footed effort into the net.
Horden worked hard throughout the night but it was RCA who had the finishing power.
Next up is a home friendley against Jarrow FC on Tuesday, 6th April 2021, kick off 7.00pm.