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Report

FT: Darlington Town 0 RACA 2

Albion maintained their unbeaten record at the Eastbourne Sports Complex thanks to two late goals from Rhys Hutchinson and Charlie Grieveson. After twice having the ball in the net during the first half only to see both efforts ruled out, RACA finally made their superiority count when Hutchinson struck three minutes from time before Grieveson wrapped things up in stoppage time. The perfect response to Wednesday’s defeat moves Ryton to within a point and a place of the play-offs.

Match Report

RACA made only their third-ever visit to the Eastbourne Sports Complex to face mid-table Darlington Town, with Charlie Grieveson returning to the starting XI after serving his one-match suspension.

Albion enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, although some wayward finishing meant Tyler Smith in the Darlington goal was largely untroubled.

Ryton thought they had made the breakthrough after 19 minutes. Grieveson floated a cross into the area which both Louis Calvert and Smith challenged for, with the RACA number 11 winning the aerial duel and nodding the ball home. Celebrations were short-lived, however, as the assistant referee flagged for a foul on the goalkeeper.

The remainder of the half offered little in the way of goalmouth action, with the hosts struggling to make any impression on the Albion defence.

RACA did have the ball in the net for a second time just before the interval. Calvert’s 44th-minute cross was partially dealt with by Smith, who could only palm the ball into the path of Kyle Atkinson. He reacted quickest to beat Brandon Mallaburn to the loose ball and tap home, but once again the assistant’s flag intervened – this time for offside.

Despite Darlington barely laying a glove on Ryton during the opening 45 minutes, Albion had nothing to show for their superiority and the sides went into the break goalless.

HT: Darlington Town 0 RACA 0

Town finally created their first meaningful opportunity three minutes after the restart. Jim Wilson produced an excellent ball from defence to release Joel White down the right. White cut inside and fired towards goal, forcing Callum Corkhill to get a hand to his effort before the loose ball was eventually turned behind for a corner.

The hosts went closer still on the hour mark through recently introduced substitute Will Maddison. He embarked on an impressive run which took him beyond three Ryton defenders before firing the ball dangerously across the face of goal. Fortunately for Albion, there was no black-and-white shirt arriving to provide the finishing touch and the danger was eventually cleared for another corner.

Ryton responded after 67 minutes when a long Corkhill clearance released Calvert, who got the better of Jamie Harwood and spotted Smith advancing from his line. The striker attempted to lift the ball over the goalkeeper, but Smith managed to get a hand to it and divert the effort behind.

As the game entered its closing stages, it appeared increasingly likely that Albion would have to settle for a point despite having enjoyed the better of the contest.

Then, with just three minutes remaining, the breakthrough finally arrived.

Nathan Beesley delivered from the right and Rhys Hutchinson reacted quicker than the Darlington defence, getting to the ball first and tapping home to give RACA the lead with his second goal of the season.

After waiting 87 minutes for one that counted, Albion needed only a few more to find another.

A minute into stoppage time, a Ryton corner caused uncertainty inside the Darlington penalty area. Joe Groves-Forbes took full advantage of the hesitant defending and nudged the ball into the path of Grieveson, who had time to compose himself before picking his spot and firing home to make it 2-0.

Town continued to plug away during an extended period of stoppage time in search of a consolation, but Corkhill and the Albion defence remained largely untroubled as Ryton comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.

FT: Darlington Town 0 RACA 2

It was the perfect tonic after Wednesday night’s eight-goal madness against Billingham Synthonia. Albion responded to that defensive blip with a clean sheet and a deserved three points, maintaining their unbeaten record at Eastbourne in the process.

Hutchinson’s late breakthrough and Grieveson’s stoppage-time second leave RACA just one place and one point outside the play-off positions.

League matters can now be put to one side for a week, with two cup ties next on the agenda. Albion travel to Durham United in the County Cup on Wednesday before attention turns to the big one at The Oldhaulage on Saturday, when Billingham Town provide the opposition in the FA Vase.

RACA: Corkhill, Beesley, Grieveson, Plunkett (Groves-Forbes 76), Caygill, Hayton, Fletcher, Atkinson, Anderson (Gascoigne 90+8), Hutchinson (Craggs 87), Calvert (Bewley 80). Substitute not used: Ajavon.

Attendance: 68