RACA moved back into the final play-off berth with a 4-1 victory over Sunderland RCA at the Oldhaulage Stadium tonight. Goals from Morgan Dart, Louis Calvert, Glenn Caygill and Fergus Lynch earned the victory with Jackson Ward getting Sunderland’s goal. The only downside was another red card for a Ryton player, this time for Luke McCabe on his home debut, Albion’s third dismissal in the last four games, but it’s 10 points from the last 12 available and a great start to 2025.
MATCH SUMMARY
Sunderland RCA made their first visit to Ryton since the 2010/11 season in a Division One fixture which they won 4-0. Times have changed since then & Albion were looking to achieve the double over the Wearsiders having won 3-2 at Meadow Park earlier in the season, knowing the win would move them back into a play-off place.
Albion stated their intent in the first 90 seconds when after some midfield head tennis, Louis Calvert sprayed the ball out to the wing where Morgan Dart cut inside & his shot looked certain to go in having beaten Sunderland keeper Philip Mills, but a fine goal-line clearance from Keigan Turns prevented the early opening goal. The hosts should have gone ahead in the fourth minute when a quick move forward culminated in Josh Skivington crossing to Dart who could only strike his shot off the bar from five yards, before the ball was scrambled clear. Dart was to redeem himself in the 14th minute when he broke the deadlock. Matt Hayton advanced down the right wing, cut in and fired in a low shot which Mills got a hand to, but the ball ran to Dart who slotted home from close range despite the attentions of two defenders. Three minutes later and Ryton doubled the advantage following a clearance that was lumped forward. Calvert took full advantage of his marker Adam Cocks losing his footing, cutting in and sliding the ball past Mills to take his tally for the season to 18. RCA were beginning to get more of the ball following the second goal & on 33 minutes pulled a goal back. Sam Spenceley’s cross was parried out by Colquhoun, but it was Sunderland forward Jackson Ward who was first to the ball & he tucked the ball into the corner of the net to make it 2-1. However Albion restored the two goal advantage in the 41st minute when the RCA defence made a complete Horlicks of clearing Fergus Lynch’s corner, a mis-directed header falling to Glenn Caygill wo stabbed the ball home from three yards.
HT RACA 3 Sunderland RCA 1
The second half started off with RACA searching for a fourth goal within seconds of the kick off with Calvert breaking down the left flank, lobbing Mills in the Sunderland goal, but also clearing the bar. Only a minute later & a dipping shot from the ‘Real Reds’ number 10 Daniel Maw from outside the box, forced Colquhoun to tip the ball over his bar, shortly followed by a Chris Thompson shot that the Albion keeper had to smother as Ryton went through a sloppy spell. The hosts tightened up again and on 70 minutes put the game beyond the Wearsiders with a gem of a goal from Fergus Lynch who managed to curl the ball in the top corner of Mills’ goal almost from the touchline giving the RCA stopper no chance at all. If that was intended, it was one of the best goals witnessed at Kingsley Park for many a year. Ironically Lynch was instantly substituted for Roman Sparks, the recent Prudhoe signing to make his Albion debut. Another substitute, Matty Todd could have made it 5-1 on 73 minutes, breaking clear of the RCA defenders only to strike the ball into the side netting with just Mills to beat. Sunderland were given the faintest glimmer of hope of salvaging something from the game when in the 82nd minute RACA were reduced to ten men. Luke McCabe was given a straight red card after a lunge on Alberto Dumba who in fairness got straight up from the tackle, but referee Mr Marriner wasted little time in dismissing McCabe to the astonishment of the home fans. However the visitors were unable to make any inroads to the deficit, Callum Hughes’ shot from distance over the bar on 84 minutes being the closest scare for Ryton. Louis Calvert was much closer to scoring in the 87th minute striking the RCA post from a free kick, but there were to be no further goals & Albion ran out comfortable winners in the end.
The three points propel us up two places into 5th, leapfrogging both Thornaby and Chester-le-Street United and back into a play-off berth.
FT RACA 4 SUNDERLAND RCA 1 Attendance 180
RACA- Colquhoun, Skivington, Oldfield, McCabe (s/o), Caygill, Errington, Lynch (Sparks 71), Page (Todd 72), Calvert, Dart (Baxter 61), Hayton (Hoggins 65)