20 October 2009
Durham Challenge Cup Competition
Sunderland RCA FC went out of the Durham Challenge Cup competition beaten 3-0 by Ryton FC. RCA’s manager Neil Hixon was forced through injury, suspensions and work commitments to make several changes to the team and he gave first team debuts to five youngsters, Graeme Pickering started in goal with Liam Dunn, and Jonathan Davis starting the match. He then brought on substitutes Ryan Mather and Peter Deary to end the match with 5 players under the age of 18.
The game started in in typical cup fashion with both teams pressing for an early advantage, but with both defences looking solid there were no chances until the 18th minute when a shot from Taylor was well saved by the keeper and when Taylor crossed the ball into the box from the rebound there were no RCA players to take advantage.
With the RCA youngsters showing great enthusiasm the Ryton team were unable to get the ball moving forward with any effect. Benjamin did have a shot which was easily saved by Pickering and Innes fired wide.
In the 32nd minute one stray pass led to the opening goal when Innes pounced on a loose defensive ball and fired goalward, the ball took a wicked deflection of a defender and sent Pickering the wrong way.
Stewart had a chance to level the score, but fired wide.
The second half saw RCA pressing for the equaliser and both Taylor and Stewart had chances but both fired wide.
Benjamin forced a save from Pickering before and Dunn made a great tackle on Innes to deny the striker a shot on goal.
A long ball out of defence caught Ryton napping and the quickness of Stewart had him clear of the defence, unfortunately at the vital moment he slipped and the chance was gone.
Benjamin scored the second Ryton goal when he received a long ball from Young and fired home.The same player put the game beyond doubt when he fired home from 25 yards.
This was a good opportunity to see the progress made by the youngsters of RCA and none of them let the team down.
