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Report

FT: RACA 3 Durham United 0

A lightning start saw Albion race into a 3-0 lead inside the opening 14 minutes as goals from Kyle Atkinson, Jack Elliott and Charlie Grieveson put Durham United to the sword. With memories of last season’s 8-1 drubbing still fresh, the home support might have been anticipating another landslide, but United steadied the ship and gave almost as good as they got for the remainder of an entertaining contest featuring plenty of goalmouth action at both ends.

Match Report

RACA’s sixth league fixture of the season brought Durham United to The Oldhaulage for a Wednesday evening encounter, with Albion looking to build on Saturday’s emphatic FA Vase victory over Sunderland RCA.

They could hardly have made a better start.

Just seven minutes had been played when Kyle Atkinson opened the scoring. A dangerous cross into the Durham penalty area eventually dropped to the RACA number four, who kept his composure and tucked a neat finish into the bottom corner beyond goalkeeper Dixon.

Albion immediately went looking for more and, just three minutes later, doubled their advantage. Jack Elliott connected sweetly with a half-volley inside the box, sending his effort beyond Dixon and into the top corner to make it 2-0.

Durham barely had time to regroup before Ryton struck again.

With just 14 minutes on the clock, an inviting Albion corner found Charlie Grieveson, who rose above the visiting defence and powered a commanding header into the net for RACA’s third.

Three goals inside the opening quarter of an hour inevitably brought back memories of last season’s 8-1 victory over the same opposition, and at that stage another long evening for Durham appeared to be on the cards.

United, to their credit, refused to buckle. They gradually worked their way into the game and began to find more space as the half progressed, while at the other end Louis Anderson continued his search for a first goal of the campaign. The RACA forward had opportunities to add a fourth, but some strong goalkeeping from Dixon kept Albion’s advantage at three.

After a blistering opening half-hour, Ryton’s intensity dropped slightly towards the interval and Durham began to pose more of a threat, but the visitors were unable to make their improved spell count.

HT: RACA 3 Durham United 0

With a comfortable cushion established, Albion emerged for the second half in confident mood, although it was Durham who increasingly showed their determination to find a route back into the contest.

The game became a much more even affair, with chances at both ends but neither side able to add to the scoreline.

RACA came close to a fourth in the 65th minute when Rhys Hutchinson unleashed a fierce effort towards Dixon’s left. The Durham goalkeeper was equal to it, producing an excellent diving save to parry the shot away and once again frustrate the hosts.

Despite the scoreline, United continued to push forward rather than simply accept defeat, while Albion still carried a threat on the break as the game became increasingly stretched.

Durham had one final opportunity to claim a consolation in the closing stages when Phil Kay struck a powerful effort towards goal, but Callum Corkhill stood firm, beating the shot away before reacting quickly to smother the loose ball and preserve his clean sheet.

The final whistle confirmed a second successive victory for Albion and another three points at The Oldhaulage.

FT: RACA 3 Durham United 0

Ultimately, the damage had been done during a devastating opening 14 minutes in which Ryton were clinical enough to put the game firmly in their control. Durham deserve credit for the way they responded, refusing to fold and making the remainder of the contest far more competitive than the early scoreline had suggested.

While the second half was considerably quieter in terms of goals, there were still opportunities at both ends, with Albion’s early ruthlessness proving the difference.

RACA now turn their attention to Saturday’s home league fixture against Chester-le-Street Town, when they will look to make it three wins on the bounce and collect another three points at The Oldhaulage.

RACA: Corkhill, Beesley, Grieveson, Atkinson, Caygill (Fletcher 66), Plunkett, Hutchinson, Groves-Forbes (Hayton 61), Anderson (Bell 72), Elliott (Oldfield 55), Calvert. Substitute not used: Costello.

Attendance: 103