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Report

FT: RACA 4 Sunderland RCA 1

Albion claimed their first victory of the season at the fourth attempt and, in doing so, condemned Sunderland RCA to a fourth successive defeat. Charlie Grieveson, a late replacement for Glenn Caygill, gave RACA the perfect start before Callum Guy’s deft lob brought the visitors level. Louis Calvert headed Ryton back in front before the interval, with second-half goals from Joe Groves-Forbes and debutant Kyle Atkinson sealing an emphatic 4-1 victory.

Match Report

Just three days after the disappointing home defeat to Newcastle University, Albion were back in action at The Oldhaulage as Sunderland RCA made the short trip to Ryton.

Still searching for their first win of the campaign, RACA were looking for a response after a frustrating start to the season in which encouraging spells of football had too often gone unrewarded. This time, however, Albion found the clinical edge that had been missing.

They needed just four minutes to make the breakthrough. Louis Calvert was brought down by a Sunderland defender and, from the resulting free-kick, picked himself up to deliver an inviting ball into the penalty area. Charlie Grieveson, a late addition to the starting XI in place of Glenn Caygill, rose highest and guided his header beyond Lewis Charlton to give Ryton the perfect start.

Rather than sit on their early advantage, Albion continued to push forward, although Sunderland gradually worked their way into the contest with an energetic pressing game that gave the home side little time on the ball.

The visitors were rewarded with an equaliser after 22 minutes. A misplaced pass from Callum Corkhill intended for Grieveson was seized upon by Callum Guy and, spotting the Albion goalkeeper stranded away from his goal, the Sunderland man produced a clever lob to make it 1-1.

The mistake could easily have knocked Ryton out of their stride, but the response was positive and they regained the lead before the half-hour mark.

Jack Elliott raced onto a through-ball down the flank before battling his way into position to deliver a cross into the Sunderland penalty area. Calvert met it superbly, directing a header into the top corner beyond Charlton to restore Albion’s advantage.

It was Calvert’s third goal in four league games and ensured RACA went into the interval ahead after an entertaining opening 45 minutes.

HT: RACA 2 Sunderland RCA 1

Despite the warm conditions, both sides maintained a good tempo after the restart, with Ryton looking for the third goal that would give them some breathing space.

It arrived on the hour mark. A dangerous cross into the Sunderland area caused problems for Charlton and Joe Groves-Forbes, introduced only moments earlier, was on hand to head home and give Albion a two-goal cushion.

With Sunderland now needing something special to rescue the contest, RACA were able to play with increasing confidence as they looked to put the result beyond doubt.

The fourth arrived with around ten minutes remaining. Albion were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and Aaron Costello’s effort struck the Sunderland wall before dropping invitingly for debutant Kyle Atkinson, who reacted sharply to fire home and mark his first RACA appearance with a goal.

At 4-1, the points were safe and Albion comfortably negotiated the remaining minutes to finally get their first victory of the campaign on the board.

It was a much more clinical display from Ryton, who made the most of their opportunities to record an emphatic and thoroughly welcome victory in front of a crowd of 195 at The Oldhaulage.

There is little time to celebrate, however, with Albion travelling to Billingham Town on Tuesday evening looking to build on the result. Sunderland RCA then return to The Oldhaulage next Saturday when the sides meet again, this time in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Vase.

FT: RACA 4 Sunderland RCA 1

Attendance: 195

RACA: Corkhill, Beesley, Fletcher, Lynch (Bailey 79), Grieveson, Plunkett, Elliott (Bell 62), Lawson, Anderson (Costello 62), Calvert (Groves-Forbes 58), Atkinson. Subs: All used.