Match reports

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Sunderland RCA welcomed Prescott Cables of the Northern Premier League to Sunderland LGV Park for this 1^st Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

This is the first time that the clubs have met and unfortunately the circumstances surrounding the playing of the game meant that we were not able to offer our usual standard of hospitality especially as our visitors had travelled over three hours to get here.

The RCA management team included Nathan O’Neill in the starting lineup after a number of weeks out through injury. James Fairley, nursing a slight injury was on the bench.

The teams lined up as follows:

Sunderland RCA: Dean, Forster, Callaghan, Preston, Swansbury ©, Hodgson, Leonard, Elliott, O’Neill, Watts, Hope;

 Subs: Best, Davis, Armstrong, Ward, Fairley, Bell

Prescot Cables: Allen, Edgerton, Johnstone, McCulloch, Cooper, Jackson, White, , Korie-Butler ,Monaghan, Hamilton ;

Subs: Van-Aston, Myler, Corness, McMilan, Fleming, Staunton.

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After a week full of uncertainty surrounding football at all levels and our specific injury problems off the pitch we were finally attending a much rejuvenated Teesdale Park for this FA Cup Preliminary round match against a much changed Thornaby team who have started a massive rebuilding exercise both on and off the park in the close season.

There was a crowd of 300 to watch the match and it was brilliant to see so many familiar RCA supporters at the ground with around 50 making the trip down the A19.

The ever growing injury list has been compounded by the withdrawal of loan players and work commitments which left 11 players unavailable for selection.

This meant that the side selected was one of, if not, the youngest team ever selected for RCA with an average age of 25. The management team brought Thomas Bell into the squad. Tom played in the under’17s team which won the league cup last week.

The teams lined up as follows:

Sunderland RCA: Dean, Carr, Callaghan, Forster, Swansbury ©,Hodgson, Dorward, Elliott, Leonard, Hope, Fairley; Subs: Watts, Ward, Bell, Armstrong.

Thornaby: Konstantopoulos, Roddam, Flounder, Drummond, Frazer, Taylor, Beddows, Kenny, Murphy, Hopson © Robinson; Subs: Hannah, Gardener, Foley, Rye, Carter, McGukin.

The teams took to the pitch on a gloriously sunny day to warm applause from both sets of supporters.

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The long wait is over as competitive football returns to Sunderland LGV Park after the longest close season in history.

The fact that it was an FA Cup Extra Preliminary match just added spice to the occasion.

We were delighted to welcome every one of the 170 spectators who made the effort to attend and thank them for their patience and compliance with theCOVID-19 restrictions which are in place.

Excellent work from the club's ground staff Dave and George meant that the pitch was in fantastic condition and thanks to the committee and volunteers who have worked so hard in the close season to get the ground ready the season ahead.

The teams lined up as follows:

Sunderland RCA: Dean, Forster, Callaghan, Preston, Swansbury ©, Hodgson, Davis, Elliott, Fairley, Hope, Callen; Subs: O’Neill, Best, Errington, Agnew, Larkin, Carr, Ward

Durham City: Vidot, Osei-Agyenmang, Afriyie, Ampadu, Pinas, Grondin©, Rojer, De Guigne, Persee, Van Veenendaal,Wahab;Subs: Finseca, Hunt, Wainwright, Whelan, Aitouarg.

Two friendlies took place this week. 

On Thursday we entertained Durham City at the Downhill complex.

It was a decent match against a very well organised Durham team.

A good goal by Mark Davison in the opening 10 minutes drilling in a low shot past the Durham keeper.

The game flowed from end to end with both teams playing some good football. As per usual anumber of changes from both teamns at half time.

The introduction of Colin Larkin for his first run out in a red and white shirt for over a season was a bonus.