RCA captain Greg Swansbury competes for the ball with Washington goal scorer Vincent Gash.
For more photos from the match please click here.
Goal scorers - Washington: Gash. RCA: Larkin.
Sunderland RCA made the short trip to Washington for this afternoon's Northern League match.
RCA made three changes to the side that was beaten by Morpeth Town last Saturday - into the team came Ross Preston, Jack Vaulks and Dylan Elliott replacing Adam McGuinness, Jonathan Davis and Luke Page.
The two sides lined up as follows:
Washington: Gladstone; Barnes; Gardiner; Chimbonda; White (c); Wood; Gash; Hanson; Brown; Dent; Pickford.
RCA: Finch; Hodgson; Preston; Swansbury (c); Vaulks; Elliott; Clayton Davis; Noble; Callen; Larkin; Cassidy.
RCA got the match off to a positive start, and, in the first minute, a long ball was played up to Callen who fired in a shot from the edge of the penalty area that was beaten away by Gladstone and the loose ball was cleared. Two minutes later and Larkin played a good through ball up to Elliott whose shot was again saved by Gladstone. In the 8th minute, the home side won a corner which was swung to the far post, where Brown had two attempts at close range saved by Finch. Eight minutes later and Larkin made a good run down the left but his looping cross was claimed by Gladstone.
In the 28th minute, White made a good run through central midfield before firing a shot high over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area. Four minutes later and Washington took the lead - Dent was put through in on goal, and, although his shot was well saved by Finch, the loose ball was picked up by Dent, who played the ball to Gash, who slotted under Finch and into the net. In first half stoppage time, RCA had a couple of good chances to equalise as first a corner bobbled around in the six-yard area before Callen’s shot was saved by Gladstone, and then Larkin fired a good effort over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.
Half-time: Washington 1 Sunderland RCA 0
Three minutes into the second half and Larkin fired a shot over the crossbar. In the 56th minute, Washington won a corner which was headed back into the danger area by White at the far post and Gash headed the ball towards goal but straight at Finch. Four minutes later and a good ball was played up to Gash who raced to the edge of the penalty area before dragging a low shot wide of the post. In the 61st minute, RCA had the ball in the net, as Davis finished well from a corner but the flag was raised for offside. One minute later, though, and RCA were level - Gladstone received the ball and attempted to skip a challenge but Larkin closed the ball down and was able to roll it into the net from close range. Three minutes later and again Larkin was in the action, making a good run down the inside right channel before lobbing the ball up and over Gladstone but narrowly wide of the far post.
Midway through the second half and Craig Hodgson was replaced by Dale Milburn, making his RCA debut on loan from Darlington. One minute later and Callen turned well in central midfield before driving forward and firing in a shot from 20 yards that was saved by Gladstone. As the match entered the final ten minutes Washington had a good chance to retake the lead as a ball was played up to Gash who fired a shot narrowly wide. And then in stoppage time, RCA had a great chance of a late winner as Callen did well down the left before delivering a good cross to the far post where Davis, at full stretch, could only stab the ball narrowly wide.
This afternoon's RCA man of the match was chosen by Luke Donkin, who picked Dylan Elliott, saying Dylan was “influential in midfield and a quality player”. Well played, Dylan!
Next up for RCA is a home match on Tuesday evening, with Marske United - fresh from their excellent FA Vase Fourth Round victory over Hinckley - the visitors to Meadow Park. Kick-off is at 7:30pm.