Sunderland RCA FC grassroots football

Saturday, 7 August 2010

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 1

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.

RCA started their Northern League Division 1 campaign at Newcastle Benfield with a largely new team - only four of the starting 11 had figured in RCA's promotion winning side last season - and a tough ask against 2009-10 Division 1 fifth-placed finishers Newcastle Benfield.

RCA kicked off their run of friendly matches with a workout at North Shields, coming away with a 2 - 1 win, with goals from new boys Gav Parkin and Michael Hepplewhite. Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.

We were on the losing side against a lively Team Northumbria, who won 2 - 0 with a goal in each half. The match photos are here.

There was a further defeat away to Crook Town. RCA played plenty of football and created chances, but were two down to a well-organised and strong home side before an Australian trialist pulled a goal back for RCA with a quality strike from outside the area that sailed into the top left of the Crook net.

RCA rounded off their pre-season with a home match against Silksworth in the Bob Gurney Trophy, winning 4 - 0. The goals were scored by Jimmy Farrell, Tony Coe, with a brace, and Gav Parkin. RCA had lots of chances and all credit to the Silksworth keeper.

Manager Neil Hixon says:

"The pre-season has been a good work out, but we still need to gel as a team. Within a month we will have a settled side.

"I'm looking forward to Saturday, when we are away to Newcastle Benfield in the first league match of the season. We'll be missing David Duke, but I hope to have John Butler available for selection after his hamstring injury.

"There's good news on David Anderson, who has been given the go ahead to resume full training."

There have been more than a few changes in the squad over the summer. Check out the new pen pictures here.

The result, a win for Sunderland RCA over Silksworth FC by 4-0, was secondary to the money raised on the day.

A sum of £130 was raised for the Charity MIND.

The committees of both teams would like to thank all of those Supporters, Players and Officials who contributed to a very worthy cause.

Sunderland RCA have organised a music event at Sunderland’s Independent nightclub on Friday 6th August 2010. The aim of the event is to promote the football club throughout the city to an audience who previously may have been unaware of the club's existence.

The friendly match between Hebburn Town and Sunderland RCA tonight has been cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.

Next friendly will be Team Northumbria on Saturday.