RACA 2 BILLINGHAM TOWN 1

RACA left it late to comeback from a goal down to grab all three points against Billingham Town with late goals from Abu Salim on 82 minutes & Dale Burrell on 88 minutes to move up to third place in the table.

It was the visitors who started the brighter in the game & really should have been ahead on 6 minutes when Harry Close outpaced his two markers but managed to screw his shot wide with only keeper Brogan Colquhoun to beat. Close & John Stephenson in particular were livewires for Town in the first half, although the next chance of note fell to Albion when following good work on the right wing from Joe Groves-Forbes resulted in Matthew Harrison forcing a good save out of Blues keeper Paul Roddam. It was the visitors who were to go interval ahead courtesy of a 32nd minute goal from Stephenson following a quick break forward, Alfie Turnbull providing the crucial through ball to the number 9 who slotted home for a deserved 1-0 half time lead.

RACA were far more potent after the interval & asserted more as the game wore on, Declan Bissett striking the woodwork on 67 minutes following a period of sustained pressure on the Teessiders’ goal. The equaliser did come in 82 minutes following a corner, when Harrison head flicked the ball into the crowded six yard box & substitute Abu Salim headed home. This spurred the home side on and should have taken the lead on 85 minutes when Dale Burrell beat two defenders & played a low ball across the box where Harrison only had to tap into an empty net but to Billingham’s relief, he got his legs in a tangle & the defence were able to clear the ball. However the respite was only brief as Ryton snatched a late winner in the 88th minute, Harrison flicking the ball on to Burrell who volleyed home from close range to trigger jubilant scenes among the home support.

FT RACA 2 BILLINGHAM TOWN 1 Attendance 210

Two wins out of two at home & up to third place with another home game on Saturday

RACA– Colquhoun, Groves-Forbes (Symons 85), Ledger, Grieveson, Burrell, Errington (capt) Walker (Skivington 65), Luke (Lawson 74), Harrison, Bisset (Adotey 80), Todd (Salim 58).

ENL Pos: 3rd