Match reports

Aristote Guerin-Lokonga heads home RCA's only goal in the 1 - 5 home defeat.

Saturday, 15 December 2012

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: RCA Guerin-Lokonga:  Bishop Auckland  Johnson 3 Megran, Jardine

Please click here for photos from the match

This hastily arranged League match against a high flying Bishops turned into a disaster both on and off the pitch, 76 turned up to watch the match, probably only 50 of them paying for the privilege and the Officials were from Scarborough and Redcar by far the most expensive this season.

On the pitch the woeful display by the home team was nothing short of disgraceful, there was no passion or endeavour, it looked and felt like a Sunday morning match. Everything that was good about the team last season and at the beginning of this season was missing. We are now embroiled in a relegation battle and need to pick up points quickly.

There were two notable performances, Rivers and Guerin-Lokonga did put some effort into the match, but produced little in the way of end product. Contrast this with Johnson and ex-RCA player Jardine who harassed RCA's defence all afternoon and got their reward in abundance.

11 December 2012

EBAC Northern League Division 1

The ground staff worked wonders to get the pitch in order for this match to go ahead, unfortunately their efforts were in vain as RCA recorded yet another home defeat.

With RCA giving debuts to no fewer than four players it was always going too be tough against a well organised Bedlington outfit, but to record no shots on target, other than McGuinness' goal which was ruled out for offside, was disappointing to say the least.

Saturday, 24 November 2012

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Please click here for Stev48's photos from the match, including a terrific photo of our George with two Synthonia fans.

RCA welcomed into the team two old faces and one new with the return of Adam McGuinness and Lee Owens and the introduction of ex-Synners favorite James Magowan.

RCA keeper Neal Atkinson catches the last of the winter sun as he clears down field in the first half of the match.

Saturday, 17 November 2012

FA Vase 2nd Round

Please click here for photos from the match.

Sunderland RCA failed in their bid to progress to the next round of the FA Vase when they were defeated by a very well organised Ashington team.

Although the result and the match itself was a lot tighter than the preceeding fixture a week ago when Ashington thumped RCA 6-0, the writing was on the wall as early as the 11th minute when a freekick from Johnson struck Close and flew into the top corner of the net.

Ashington followed this up in 36th minute when an innocuous looking corner was allowed to travel to the back post where Grieve side footed home.

RCA fans had to wait until the 80th minute for any joy when Southern converted a penalty.

On balance RCA maybe could have forced a draw, but they could so easily have been three or four down at half time.

Tuesday, 13 November 2012

League Cup Second Round 

The Merry Go round of changes to the team was in evidence again in this League Cup second round match at a bitterly cold Tow Law.

RCA made six changes to the team so comprehensively beaten at the week end. In came Gilbert, Forster, Halliday, Shields (G), Close and Guerin-Lokonga. Out went Henderson, Beasley, Davis, Marshall, Cutts and Southern.

Sunday, 11 November 2012

Total Sport Challenge Trophy

RCA Florists progressed to the next round of the Total Sport Challenge Trophy with a hard fought, but well deserved, 3-1 victory over a very well organised and spirited Sandills FC.

In perfect conditions the game started with both sides in confident mood and RCA Florists should have taken the lead after 5mins when Gaz Hill outmuscled a defender and from the edge of the box tried to lob the advancing keeper, only to put it straight into his hands. Sandhills however were playing their part and opened the scoring after 10mins when RCA Florists lost the ball cheaply in midfield and Scott Mallaburn was played in over the top and he calmly advanced, rounded the keeper and slotted home. RCA Florists responded positively with Martin Metcalfe producing good service from the right wing and it was from him that the ball was played across the six yard line to find George McCain unmarked at the far post whose first effort was blocked but he stroked home left footed to bring the scores level. The rest of the first half was fairly even with both sides playing some good football, but the score remained 1-1.

New signing Jordan Marshall tries to find a way past the Ashington skipper in the first half of the match.

10 November 2012

Ebac Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA : None.        Ashington FC: Walton, Taylor (2), O'Dea, Antony, Johnson.

Please cick here for photos from the match.

In this prelude to the FA Vase match next week RCA were forced into making five changes to the team that played so well agaist Spennymoor on Tuesday.

Jamie Fryatt was getting married and in attendance was Forster, Gilbert was missing, also attending a wedding, Richards suspended and Gibson injured were also unavailable , so in came Henderson, Beasley, Davis, Marshall and Southern.

RCA suffered their worst defeat under manager Neil Hixon at Meadow Park this afternoon, it was also in Neil's opinion the worst performance from an RCA team in five years. If it hadn't been for Atkinson then it could so easily have been double figures.

Ashington dominated from start to finish and RCA could not match their passing and movement.