Match reports

​Greg Swansbury comes away with the ball during the first half of the epic 3 -3 encounter with Consett. Photograph by Simon Mears.

​More of Simon's photographs here.

Goal scorers: SRCA: Larkin (2), Robinson:  Consett: Nellis, Sullivan, Sweet

The RCA Management team made five changes to the team which played against Northallerton in the Brooks Mileson League Cup in midweek. Returning to the first eleven were C Davis, Hodgson, Butler and Larkin while Mark Robinson was selected in the strating eleven for the first time since he joined the club.

Fifth placed Consett came to Meadow Park on the back of and impressive run of seven unbeaten matches.

​James Armstrong goes past two Stockton defenders and the referee during the vase match at Meadow Park. Photograph by Simon Mears.

More of Simon's photographs are here.

Goalscorer: SRCA: Larkin,  Stockton: None.

The management team had massive defensive problems ahead of today's FA Vase match with Preston and McGuinness cup tied and Swansbury suspended. To add to the problem McNab failed a late fitness test on his back and so a reshuffle was made with central midfielder Hodgson moving to centre back alongside Larkin and C Davis was drafted in at right back. Armstrong was recalled to play in the centre of midfiled with Charlton and McBryde partnered Butler up front.

So it was a much changed team which took to the field for this important match against a team who had already knocked out Holker Old Boys, Whitley Bay and Eccleshill United in previous rounds.

Before the match there was a minute's silence which was impeccably observed by everyone in the ground.

​Kieran Martin finishes off a great run, smashing the ball into the net to give SRCA victory against Washington: Photograph by Simon Mears.

​More of Simon's photographs can be found here.

Goal scorers: SRCA: Larkin, Martin,  Washington: Kane

As the injury list shortens the team selection becomes more difficult. With Hodgson unavailable due to family matters and Davis unavailable due to work commitments, Armstrong and Callen were called into the starting eleven. The rest of the team had a very familiar look. There was also signs that Cassidy, McNab and Bussey would be fit in the near future.

The Washington team boasted no fewer than seven ex-SRCA players while the RCA team had six ex-Washington players in the squad. There was also the return to the club of ex-RCA manager Neil Hixon and his assistant Stephen "Buddy" Halliday. 

​Addsy on the attack during the match against Seaham Red Star. Photograph by Simon Mears.

More of Simon's photographs are here.

Goalscorers: SRCA: J Davis,  SRS: Bird.

The management team almost had a full squad to choose from for the match against near neighbours Seaham Red Star. Only McNab (back), Cassidy (Knee) and Bussey (Fractured Ankle) were on the injury list. The return of so many players made the task of selecting the team a little more difficult and following on from last weekend's fantastic performance against Newton Aycliffe the manager kept faith with the majority of that team, with the only change being the retuurn of captain Swansbury to replace Cassidy.