Sunderland RCA FC grassroots football

There have been more than a few changes in the first team squad recently, with comings and goings.

We welcome Phil Naisbett, Craig Tate, Joe Walton and Craig Wilkinson, welcome back Micky Coghlan from his spell down under and say goodbye, thanks and best wishes to Stuart Brightwell, Harrison Davies, Michael Hepplewhite, Richard Hodgson, Matty Hyson and Craig Shields.

The updated pen pictures are here - the photographer has not caught up yet.

Our home league fixture against South Shields, due to be played on Monday, 30 August, has been postponed because of South Shields' FA Cup replay.

RCA came away frustrated from their 1 - 1 draw with Consett on Saturday. The view of spectators was that they had witnessed a terrific match with exciting and attacking football on offer and a great effort from Joe Fairish giving RCA the lead.

Entertainment, excitement and value for money can all be found in the Northern League Division 1 with Sunderland RCA at Meadow Park with three more home matches on the trot:

Tuesday, 23 August, 7:30 PM KO
Sunderland RCA v Bishop Auckland

Friday, 27 August, 7:30 PM KO
Sunderland RCA v Tow Law Town

Monday, 30 August, 12:00 noon KO
Sunderland RCA v South Shields

£4:00 admission. Accompanied children free.

In an effort to reach a wider audience and keep better up to date with our existing fans Sunderland RCA are updating their match reports via twitter. We can be found at http://twitter.com/SunderlandRCA where we will be updating club news throughout the week ahead of kick off and goals, incidents and substitutions among other things during Northern League games.

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.