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Report

FT: RACA 1 Stokesley SC 0

A late goal from substitute Tristan Ajavon, in just his second appearance for the club, earned Albion a fifth successive victory after a frustrating afternoon in which the hosts struggled to make their dominance count at The Oldhaulage. Ajavon’s superb header finally broke Stokesley’s resistance and secured another valuable three points, lifting RACA one place to sixth in the table while the visitors slipped to 18th.

Match Report

Four days after their hard-fought victory at Seaham Red Star, RACA were back in action at The Oldhaulage looking to continue an impressive run of form against Stokesley SC.

Albion came into the contest chasing a fifth consecutive victory, while the visitors were looking to build on Thursday’s draw against Sunderland RCA.

The opening quarter of an hour was a cagey affair, with neither side able to create anything of note in the final third.

The first real opportunity arrived from an Albion corner after 17 minutes. Nathan Beesley whipped an inviting delivery into the box and Charlie Grieveson met it with his head, only to see his effort come back off the crossbar as Stokesley survived.

At the other end, Rhys Hutchinson produced an excellent sliding block to thwart Drazdamskas as the visitors threatened, putting his body on the line to prevent a clear sight of Callum Corkhill’s goal.

Albion continued to probe without finding the required final ball and went close again shortly before the interval. A delivery from the left found Louis Anderson in a promising position, but his effort drifted narrowly wide of the post.

It had been a competitive rather than spectacular opening 45 minutes. Ryton had perhaps shaded proceedings and come closest through Grieveson’s header, but a lack of quality at the crucial moment meant the deadlock remained intact.

HT: RACA 0 Stokesley SC 0

Albion made changes at the interval as they looked to find the breakthrough, with Ajavon and Albe Fletcher introduced, while Dylan Lawson also entered the action before an injury forced him to make way for Ethan Bewley just two minutes later.

The second half gradually opened up, with Ryton beginning to enjoy more of the attacking play but still finding a stubborn Stokesley defence difficult to break down.

Beesley provided another excellent delivery in the 70th minute, picking out Louis Calvert inside the area. The striker looked to steer the ball home, but Stokesley goalkeeper Beeforth reacted well to deny him.

Five minutes later another set-piece offered Albion an opportunity. This time Calvert delivered a corner towards Jordan Plunkett at the back post, but his effort narrowly missed the target as the hosts’ frustrations continued.

For all Ryton’s pressure, Stokesley remained a threat and almost snatched the lead themselves with fewer than ten minutes remaining. James Shield found space outside the penalty area and drove an effort towards goal, forcing Corkhill into an excellent save to keep the scores level.

It proved an important intervention because, moments later, Albion finally found the breakthrough.

Substitute Oliver Bell drove forward before sending a superb cross into the Stokesley penalty area. Ajavon timed his movement perfectly, splitting the visiting defenders before directing an excellent header beyond Beeforth and into the net.

In only his second appearance for the club, Tristan Ajavon had produced the match-winning moment when Albion needed it most.

The goal inevitably brought a nervy conclusion as Stokesley refused to accept defeat, but the RACA defence once again stood firm.

Albion might even have doubled their advantage before the finish. Calvert produced a clever drop of the shoulder to create room for a cross and picked out Anderson, whose effort was tipped over the crossbar by Beeforth.

There was no time for another opportunity and the final whistle confirmed a third successive 1-0 home league victory and, more importantly, a fifth consecutive win in all competitions for Albion.

FT: RACA 1 Stokesley SC 0

It had taken patience, but the combination of Bell and Ajavon eventually provided the moment of quality required to settle a tight contest.

After a relatively subdued first half, Ryton increasingly took control after the interval and, although Stokesley offered the occasional reminder of their threat, another determined defensive display ensured Corkhill and his back line recorded a third clean sheet in four league games.

Ajavon’s late intervention means Albion’s remarkable turnaround continues. Five successive victories have lifted RACA to sixth in the table after their difficult start to the campaign.

Next up is Wednesday evening’s rearranged fixture against Billingham Synthonia, when Albion will look to keep the momentum going and make it six wins on the bounce.

RACA: Corkhill, Hayton, Beesley, Grieveson (Ajavon 45), Caygill, Plunkett, Atkinson (Fletcher 45), Hutchinson (Lawson 45, Bewley 47), Anderson, Calvert, Groves-Forbes (Bell 68). Subs: All used.

Attendance: 185