RACA’s first ever game against Grangetown saw that never say die attitude return as they came from a 0-1 half time deficit to win 2-1. Aaron Bell put the hosts ahead on 8 minutes, but a 74th minute Abu Salim penalty & a goal from the returning Dale Burrell on 81 minutes ensured Ryton got their fifth win of the season (all by a solitary goal), leaving the Teessiders still seeking their first win in the Northern League.

Despite a bright start for RACA, it was Grangetown who took the lead on 8 minutes when a quick free kick was taken & Matty Jenkinson ran forward and found Aaron Bell who blasted home from inside the box. In the 18th minute, Ryton’s Abu Salim on the left flank beat two defenders, then tried to lob ‘Boysie’ keeper Michael Duff from a very tight angle but the stopper prevented the ball from going over his head. There were a few half chances here & there in the remainder of the half but the sides went into the interval with the Teessiders having a one goal lead.

The early part of the second half was a scrappy affair with chances at a premium although Louis Calvert’s 65th minute strike from distance wasn’t too far wide of the Grangetown goal. The turning point in the game came on 73 minutes when Duff upended Calvert in the box & Albion were awarded a penalty which Abu Salim fired in to Duff’s left to make it 1-1. The winner was scored in the 81st minute when Dale Burrell received the ball at the edge of the box, beat his marker and slotted home his second goal of the season. The wind picked up & the rain began to fall but the conditions didn’t dampen the mood in the RACA camp as another three points were picked up on the road & they move up one place in the table to 7th position.

FT GRANGETOWN BOYS CLUB 1 RACA 0 Attendance 270

RACA- Colquhoun, Skivington, Oldfield, Burrell, Harrison, Errington (capt) Lawson, Walker, Calvert (Cairns 88), Bisset (Todd 62), Salim (Armstrong 82).

ENL Pos: 7th