Ryton & Crawcrook Albion were defeated 1-0 by Horden CW at Kingsley Park on Saturday on the opening day of the Ebac Northern Football League Division Two season.

Liam Wright’s goal on the stroke of half time secured the visitors all three points after a slow start by Albion playing the first half against a strong wind.

The home side improved in the second half and despite creating chances, failed to find a way to break down Horden. Goalkeeper Adam Mooney went closest to an equaliser with his clearance striking the woodwork at the begining of the second period. RACA also had a strong penalty claim midway through the second half for a hand-ball turned down by the referee.

Nathan Beckham and Andrew Waugh’s side travel to Jarrow on Wednesday and newly-promoted FC Hartlepool next Saturday as they look to kick-start their season. Missing today – the likes of Aaron Costello, Scott Bamborough, Lee Waugh and Ryan Smith should be back in contention for the away double-header.

Attendance: 195.

RACA Man of the Match: Glenn Caygill.

RACA: Mooney, Hildreth (Symons 55), Senior (Lynch 60), Caygill, Sands, Esdaille, Lawson (Adotey 82), Skivington, Hoggins (Robertson 71), McLeod, Groves-Forbes.

Horden: Foster, K. Campbell, Hodgson, Simpson, Dobinson, Wallace, Fowler, T. Campbell, Wright, Middleton, Pounder.