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Sunderland RCA 1 Stockton Town 4

Submitted by Simon Mears on Wednesday, 13 September 2017
Tuesday, 12 September 2017 - 7:30pm
Northern League 1

Colin Larkin chases a through ball as RCA try to get back into the match.

For more photos from the match please click here.

Goal scorers - Sunderland RCA: O'Neill. Stockton Town: Coleman; Woodhouse; Craggs; Carter.

Sunderland RCA were back in Northern League action at Meadow Park tonight against another newly-promoted side, Stockton Town.

Stockton have had a real baptism of fire since being promoted to Division One and are yet to record a point after all eight matches in the league so far this season ended in defeat. But this is a club that has become accustomed to winning - their last five seasons have seen them crowned as champions: in the Wearside League, Stockton won the league on four consecutive occasions, each season finishing with over one hundred points. They finally took promotion after ground grading issues were resolved and were promoted to the Northern League second division where they were again crowned champions last season at the first attempt.

Stockton did give RCA a very close match last season in the FA Vase, when an extra-time penalty from Colin Larkin was all that separated the sides.

RCA are currently in a rich vein of form - unbeaten in seven matches, winning six of them, and, as a result, making tremendous progress in the FA Cup as well as holding a top eight position in the Division One table.

Presumably with one eye on Saturday’s big FA Cup match at Scarborough, and guarding against further injury, RCA made six changes to the side that beat Billingham Synthonia at the weekend. Out were Neal Bussey, Adam McGuinness, Greg Swansbury, Dylan Elliott, Michael Charlton and Colin Larkin. In came Jack Patton (to make his debut for RCA), Jak Ashton, Luke Richardson, James Cassidy, Jonathan Davis and John Butler.

The two sides lined up as follows:

RCA: Patton; Noble; Ashton; Preston (c); Richardson; Page; Cassidy; J. Davis; Butler; O'Neill; Callen.

Stockton Town: Arthur; Garbutt; Ward; N. Mulligan; Poole; D. Mulligan; Woodhouse; Craggs; Coleman; Carter; Hayes.

Billingham Synthonia 1 Sunderland RCA 4

Submitted by Simon Mears on Sunday, 10 September 2017
Saturday, 9 September 2017 - 3:00pm
Northern League 1

Stephen Callen competes for the ball with Synners' Christopher Salmon.

For more photos from the match please click here.

Goal scorers - Billingham Synthonia: Hassan. RCA: O'Neill; Elliott; Larkin (2).

Sunderland RCA were back in Northern League action today with a trip to newly-promoted Billingham Synthonia. After spending two seasons in Division Two, it is fair to say that Synners have had a tough start back in Division One, losing an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie on the opening day of the season and the following five league matches without even scoring a goal. However, their last two league matches have brought away draws at Washington and Jarrow Roofing which will bring hope that a corner has been turned.

RCA, meanwhile, have had a terrific start to the season with some impressive victories, none more so than the fabulous 4-0 win in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round replay at Liversedge on Tuesday.

RCA made one change from the side that started the match at Liversedge on Tuesday - Craig Hodgson, injured during the match, was ruled out and back into the starting line-up came Dylan Elliott.

The two sides lined up as follows:

Synners: Gibbs; Edwards; Gavin; Nelson; Tunstall; Ramage; Hillerby; Seaton (c); Hassan; Scaife-Wheatley; Salmon.

RCA: Bussey; Noble; Swansbury (c); McGuinness; Preston; Elliott; Charlton; Page; O'Neill; Larkin; Callen.

Liversedge 0 Sunderland RCA 4

Submitted by Simon Mears on Wednesday, 6 September 2017
Tuesday, 5 September 2017 - 7:45pm
FA Cup

Dylan Elliott capped a terrific second half performance with another cracking goal.

For more photos from the match please click here.

Goal scorers - RCA: O'Neill (2); Elliott; O.G.

Following Saturday’s goalless Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round match at Meadow Park, Sunderland RCA made the trip to West Yorkshire for the replay with Liversedge. Prior to kick-off, both sides were aware that the winners would face a trip to Northern Premier League Division One North side Scarborough Athletic in the Second Qualifying Round on Saturday, 16 September.

There was good news on the injury front for RCA as both Stephen Callen and Colin Larkin were fit again and in the starting line-up. Callen started on the left wing in place of James Cassidy, and Larkin started up front, with Ross Preston moving back to centre half and Craig Hodgson switching to central midfield.

The two sides lined up as follows:

Liversedge: Waggett; Fell; Brook; Elliott; Walker; Jackson (c); Kennyon; Kane; Morton; Fogarty; Wales.

RCA: Bussey; Noble; Hodgson; McGuinness; Swansbury (c); Preston; Charlton; Page; O'Neill; Larkin; Callen.

Sunderland RCA 0 Liversedge 0

Submitted by Simon Mears on Sunday, 3 September 2017
Saturday, 2 September 2017 - 3:00pm
FA Cup

RCA captain Greg Swansbury heads the ball clear during the first half of the match.

For more photos from the match please click here.

Sunderland RCA went into today's Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round match with Liversedge on the back of four wins in a row. Liversedge went into the match unbeaten so far this season.

RCA made one change to the side that had won - and defended - so impressively at Consett on Bank Holiday Monday - Clayton Davis returned in place of the injured Ross McNab.

The two sides lined up as follows:

RCA: Bussey; C Davis; Hodgson; McGuinness; Swansbury (c); Elliott; Charlton; Page; O'Neill; Preston; Cassidy.

Liversedge: Waggett; Fell; Brook; Kenny; Daniel; Jackson (c); Morton; Kane; Walton; Fogarty; Kennyon.

Consett 1 Sunderland RCA 2

Submitted by Simon Mears on Monday, 28 August 2017
Monday, 28 August 2017 - 1:00pm
Northern League 1

Michael Charlton competes for the ball during the first half of the match.

For more photos from the match please click here.

Goal scorers - Consett: Sweet. RCA: O'Neill (2).

Sunderland RCA made the Bank Holiday Monday trip to Consett for what was the home side's first Northern League match at the Belle View this season.

Both sides have had excellent starts to the season - each losing only one match so far - and will represent the Northern League in the FA Cup on Saturday when Consett travel to Ossett Town and RCA host Liversedge in the First Qualifying Round.

RCA were dealt a major injury setback when Stephen Callen - who has played every minute of RCA's seven matches so far this season - was ruled out with a fractured toe and could be out of action for up to two months. Ross Preston was picked to partner Nathan O'Neill up front. And Ross McNab returned from injury to make a first appearance of the season at right back in place of Clayton Davis.

The two sides lined up as follows:

Consett: Coombe; Convery; Lavery; Purewal; McKinnon; Ryder; Hawkins (c); Smith; Sweet; Mackay; Elliott.

RCA: Bussey; McNab; Hodgson; McGuinness; Swansbury (c); Elliott; Charlton; Page; O'Neill; Preston; Cassidy.

Sunderland RCA 4 Ryhope CW 1

Submitted by Simon Mears on Sunday, 27 August 2017
Saturday, 26 August 2017 - 3:00pm
Northern League 1

Nathan O'Neill - who scored for RCA against his former club - fires in a shot.

For more photos from the match please click here.

Goal scorers - RCA: O'Neill; Elliott (2); Page. RCW: Melvin.

A Ryhope derby between two sides in great form - after losing their opening match of the season by a single goal in the Emirates FA Cup at Ashington, Ryhope Colliery Welfare have been in superb form in the Northern League winning all three of their matches so far against North Shields, Stockton Town and Billingham Synthonia.

RCA have bounced back strongly from the defeat at Marske United with a terrific win against Ashington in the FA Cup last Saturday and a good Northern League victory over newly-promoted Team Northumbria on Tuesday night.

RCA made one change to the side that beat Team Northumbria on Tuesday - Clayton Davis returned to right full back, replacing Luke Richardson.

The two sides lined up as follows:

RCA: Bussey; C Davis; Hodgson; McGuinness; Swansbury (c); Elliott; Charlton; Page; O'Neill; Callen; Cassidy.

RCW: Ball; Turnbull; Cocks; Skidmore; Paxton; Woods; Trewick (c); Home-Jackson; Melvin; Weirs; Nicholson.

Sunderland RCA 3 Team Northumbria 1

Submitted by Simon Mears on Wednesday, 23 August 2017
Tuesday, 22 August 2017 - 7:30pm
Northern League 1

Dylan Elliott continued the recent trend of cracking goals at Meadow Park.

For more photos from the match please click here.

Goal scorers - RCA: O'Neill; Elliott; Callen. Team Northumbria: O.G.

Sunderland RCA’s second in another batch of three consecutive home matches was a Northern League fixture against newly-promoted Team Northumbria.

In the three seasons that Team Northumbria had been in Division Two, they have always been there or thereabouts for promotion - in the 2014-15 season they finished fourth, missing out on promotion by just two points. The following season they were even closer: again finishing fourth with 89 points and just a single point behind third-placed Chester-le-Street Town. Last season, however, despite finishing with the same number of points, 89, this was enough for a second-place finish and promotion to Division One. This season has seen one win and three defeats in their opening four matches.

For RCA, Saturday's fabulous victory and performance against Ashington in the FA Cup was the perfect way to get back on track following the disappointment of losing at Marske United last week after playing extremely well.

RCA made two changes to the side that won so impressively against Ashington on Saturday - Luke Richardson made a first start of the season, in place of Clayton Davis at right full back. And Colin Larkin was ruled out with a groin injury and replaced by James Cassidy.

The two sides lined up as follows:

RCA: Bussey; Richardson; Hodgson; McGuinness; Swansbury (c); Elliott; Charlton; Page; O'Neill; Callen; Cassidy.

Team Northumbria: Holden; Mitchell; Read; McNamara (c); Lowrie; Webster; Carr; Spence; Ardelean; Richardson; Jewitt.

Sunderland RCA 4 Ashington 0

Submitted by Simon Mears on Sunday, 20 August 2017
Saturday, 19 August 2017 - 3:00pm
FA Cup

Stephen Callen scored two cracking second half goals.

For more photos from the match please click here.

Goal scorers - RCA: O'Neill; Callen (2); Elliott.

Sunderland RCA were back in Emirates FA Cup action against Ashington today, just a fortnight after the excellent win over Garforth Town in the Extra Preliminary Round.

RCA made two changes the side that lost at Marske United on Tuesday, with Clayton Davis making a first start of the season and Nathan O'Neill starting up front - replacing Reece Noble and Ross Preston.

The two sides lined up as follows:

RCA: Bussey; Charlton; Hodgson; McGuinness; Swansbury (c); Elliott; C. Davis; Page; Larkin; O'Neill; Callen.

Ashington: Grant; Christensen; Hornsby; Antony; J. Harmison; Buchanan; Sampson; Downey; Pearson; B. Harmison (c); McAndrew.

Prior to the match there was an impeccably observed minute's silence to pay respects to 18-year-old Kieran Oliver, a young Northern League match official who was tragically killed in a car crash last week, and the recent attacks in Spain.

Marske United 2 Sunderland RCA 1

Submitted by Simon Mears on Wednesday, 16 August 2017
Tuesday, 15 August 2017 - 7:45pm
Northern League 1

Michael Charlton makes a driving run down the wing.

For more photos from the match please click here.

Goal scorers - Marske: Gott; Round. RCA: O'Neill.

Sunderland RCA’s first away match of the season was a trip to Marske United.

Marske, like RCA, are unbeaten this season. In the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, the original tie ended in an epic 4-4 draw at the GER Stadium in a match that swung back and forth. Marske were victorious in the replay, winning by a single Craig Gott strike. Their only Northern League match was at Seaham Red Star, where the visitors recovered from conceding an early goal to win the match 4-1.

RCA followed up wins in the FA Cup and Northern League with a 1-1 draw with Washington on Saturday. Last season Marske won all three of the matches between the sides - both Northern League fixtures and a League Cup Quarter Final at Meadow Park.

RCA reverted back to the side that beat Penrith the previous Tuesday, with Craig Hodgson returning in midfield and Nathan O'Neill taking a place on the bench.

The two sides lined up as follows:

Marske: Dean; Crossen; O’Sullivan; Rowbotham; Carling; Wheatley; Bulmer; Gott; Earl; Round; Kelly.

RCA: Bussey; Noble; McGuinness; Preston; Swansbury (c); Hodgson; Charlton; Elliott; Larkin; Page; Callen.

Sunderland RCA 1 Washington 1

Submitted by Simon Mears on Sunday, 13 August 2017
Saturday, 12 August 2017 - 3:00pm
Northern League 1

Dylan Elliott and Luke Richardson combine to set RCA up for an attack late in the match.

For more photos from the match please click here.

Goal scorers - RCA: O'Neill. Washington: Shaw.

Sunderland RCA’s third home match in a row saw the visit of Washington to Meadow Park for a Northern League fixture.

The very fact that the match was played is thanks to Washington being saved at the end of last season after resigning from the League for this current season. The club has since forged strong links with Washington AFC and continue to play their home matches at the Nissan Sports Complex. It’s great to see clubs like Washington and West Allotment Celtic not only surviving but also still playing at Northern League level.

RCA have had a cracking start to the season - after winning all five pre-season friendlies, the form has continued, winning both competitive matches against Garforth Town in the FA Cup, 3-1, and Penrith in the league, 2-1. Furthermore, it's good to see that the five goals in those two games have been scored by five different players.

Washington, meanwhile, have only played one competitive match so far and were knocked out of the FA Cup last Saturday after a 3-0 home defeat to Dunston UTS. Their scheduled midweek fixture against Whitley Bay was postponed due to Whitley Bay's FA Cup replay with Seaham Red Star.

RCA made one change to the side that beat Penrith in midweek - Craig Hodgson was ruled out with a knee injury and was replaced by Nathan O'Neill. Luke Page moved into midfield to allow O'Neill to play up front.

The two sides lined up as follows:

RCA: Bussey; Noble; McGuinness; Preston; Swansbury (c); Page; Charlton; Elliott; Larkin; O'Neill; Callen.

Washington: Gladstone; Evans; Parker; Gardner; Laws; White (c); Edwards; Shaw; Shanks; Pickard; Brown.

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