RACA’s next match is a league fixture at Sunderland RCA having not played against the Wearsiders in a competitive fixture in 14 seasons, although we have had two recent pre-season friendlies against them. RCA had an absolutely awful 2023/24 season, finishing rock bottom in division one with a paltry five points, & after just five games into 2024/25 they have already surpassed that total thanks to two home victories over Boldon CA on the opening day of the campaign & against Redcar Town on Saturday. In between those two wins came defeats against the two Billingham sides & Chester le Street United. Oddly enough, this fixture will be Sunderland’s fifth home game in their first six fixtures, & the last time we played at their place, excluding friendlies, being in the 2010/11 season in the Durham Challenge Cup when we were trounced 0-6. That said we have won every league game at Meadow Park (four to date) plus an FA Cup Preliminary Round tie there in 2009, though older fans will remember them as Kennek Ryhope up until 2006

Back to the present & RCA currently sit in 14th place having scored seven goals with Callum Hughes leading the way with two goals. Meanwhile the RACA Golden Boot is off to a muddling start with six players all tied on one goal!

If you fancy heading to Wearside to cheer on Albion, the address is Meadow Park, 22 Beechbrooke, Ryhope, Sunderland SR2 0NZ, kick off on Tuesday being at 7:30pm