WELCOME TO RACA

Report

FT: Durham United 0 RACA 3
Durham Challenge Cup – Preliminary Round

Albion progressed in the Durham Challenge Cup with a comfortable, if unspectacular, victory over Durham United, inflicting a second 3-0 defeat of the season on the Scholars. Nathan Beesley and Kyle Atkinson struck in the first half before debutant Evann Jardine added a spectacular free-kick with the final kick of the game. The night also marked a milestone for RACA stalwart Glenn Caygill, who made his 100th competitive start for the club.

Match Report

Albion travelled to Maiden Castle for their Durham Challenge Cup preliminary-round tie looking to book a place in the next round and build some momentum ahead of Saturday’s FA Vase clash with Billingham Town.

The sides had already met once this season, with RACA running out 3-0 winners at The Oldhaulage, and Ryton were hoping for a repeat against the Scholars.

It was also a significant evening for Glenn Caygill, who lined up for his 100th competitive start in Albion colours.

RACA wasted little time in taking control and were ahead after just six minutes. A corner initially caused problems for the Durham defence before Louis Calvert kept the attack alive inside the area. Ethan Bewley saw a goalbound effort blocked by Noah Melville, but the loose ball dropped invitingly for Nathan Beesley, who finished well to put Albion 1-0 up.

The early breakthrough settled Ryton and they immediately went looking for another.

Danny Craggs won possession cleverly in midfield before driving down the right and delivering an excellent ball towards Bewley, whose header sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

Albion’s second eventually arrived after 36 minutes following a foul on Calvert just outside the Durham penalty area. Craggs delivered the resulting free-kick towards the back post, where the ball was headed back across goal for Kyle Atkinson to apply the finishing touch with his head.

At 2-0, RACA appeared firmly in control, although the hosts offered a reminder of their threat just before the interval.

George Killick tried his luck from distance in the 44th minute and his effort looked destined for goal until Callum Corkhill produced an excellent save to tip the ball over the crossbar.

It ensured Albion’s two-goal cushion remained intact at the break.

HT: Durham United 0 RACA 2

Ryton continued to create the better opportunities after the restart and came within inches of adding a third in the 57th minute.

Another Craggs free-kick found Beesley, whose effort came back off the post as Durham survived.

Albion thought they had finally put the tie beyond doubt soon afterwards. A corner was cleared only as far as Albe Fletcher, who sent an inviting ball back into the penalty area for Calvert. The striker produced a tidy finish, but celebrations were quickly halted by an offside flag and the score remained 2-0.

Durham continued to plug away in search of a route back into the contest and created one of their better second-half openings after winning possession in midfield through Roberts. The Scholars looked to break through the Ryton defence, but Corkhill read the danger well and reacted quickly to gather before they could capitalise.

With Albion holding a comfortable advantage, the closing stages appeared set to pass without further incident.

Then, with virtually the final kick of the night, debutant Evann Jardine provided the moment of the match.

RACA were awarded a free-kick and Jardine stepped up with an ambitious sight of goal. The substitute produced a magnificent strike which flew into the top corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance and marking his Albion debut with a goal to remember.

The referee’s final whistle followed immediately afterwards.

FT: Durham United 0 RACA 3

It was another professional victory over Durham and another clean sheet for Corkhill and the Albion defence, with RACA restricting the Scholars to relatively few clear opportunities across the 90 minutes.

First-half goals from Beesley and Atkinson had put Ryton firmly in control before Jardine’s stunning late strike added some gloss to the scoreline and provided a memorable conclusion to his debut.

Cup progression secured and Caygill’s 100th competitive start celebrated with a victory, attention now turns to another knockout fixture – and a considerably sterner test – as Billingham Town visit The Oldhaulage on Saturday in the FA Vase.

RACA: Corkhill, Beesley, Gascoigne (Oldfield 54), Craggs (Basham 70), Caygill, Hayton, Atkinson, Fletcher, Calvert (Ajavon 82), Groves-Forbes (Jardine 54), Bewley (Bell 59). Subs: All used.

Attendance: 53