Albion extended their fine unbeaten run to ten league and cup games with a 1-1 draw away to previously draw-less Chester-le-Street United. Matty Hayton scored his second goal in as many games to put RACA a goal up on 17 minutes but United levelled the scoring through Dan Robinson just seven minutes later.

These two sides faces each other both in fine form & Ryton made their intentions clear straight from the kick off as Louis Calvert had the ball in United’s net within the first minute, only for it to be ruled as offside. Stags keeper James Hughes was called into action in the 10th minute when Matty Hayton picked up Hughes’ poor clearance & fired a low shot which the Chester le Street keeper managed to push away but only to Josh Skivington’s head, but the RACA defender could only head tamely over the bar. However Hughes only kept the visitors at bat until the 17th minute when Scott Oldfield launched a ball forward from well inside the Ryton half which the United defence were unable to deal with. Hayton nipped between two defenders & fired home past Hughes to open the scoring & take his personal tally to two goals in two games for RACA. Chester game close to levelling on 20 minutes when Dan Robinson looped a shot towards the Albion goal from the touchline, forcing back-pedalling keeper Brogan Colquhoun to tip the ball over the bar. Robinson was to equalise four minutes later when a Chester corner bounced of Steven Siyanbola’s head back-over to Robinson who blasted a pearler past Colquhoun to level the scores at 1-1. Colquhoun had to be at his best on 36 minutes when a Stags corner was headed back into the box by Dylan Wilkinson onto the head of Siyanbola whose close range header was pushed away by the Ryton keeper. Just before the interval RACA had the ball in the back of the United net again this time Jack Errington scoring from a Josh Skivington free kick, but again it was disallowed for off-side

HT Chester-le-Street United 1 RACA 1

Albion created the first half chance of the second half when in the 53rd minute, Hayton squared the ball to Skivington across the Chester box, but the RACA number 4 could only fire narrowly wide. On the hour mark Siyanbola went on a solo run & fired in a shot which Colquhoun gathered comfortably, though the shot was from a difficult angle. Both sides were limited to half chances , Siyanbola firing another shot at Colquhoun on the edge of the box on 79 minutes, while a minute later Ryton substitute Matthew Harrison picked up a loose ball in the Chester box but his shot was smothered by Hughes. The closing stages saw RACA throw everything at their hosts but United’s defence held out & both sides had to settle for a point. Albion go to ten games unbeaten & the Stags, with their first draw of the campaign, go six unbeaten in the league

FT CHESTER-LE-STREET UNITED 1 RACA 1 Attendance 57

RACA- Colquhoun, Groves-Forbes, Ledger, Skivington (Grieveson 75), Errington, Oldfield, Lynch, Lawson (Bisset 75), Calvert, Dart (Harrison 65), Hayton.

ENL Pos: 4th.

Albion revisit the venue of their 3-1 win over Sunderland West End on Saturday as they take on Chester-le-Street United in the Ebac Northern League Division 2. United are relative newcomers to the Northern League, this being their third season at Step 6 & RACA have yet to lose to The Stags, drawing both games in 2022/23 (including a 0-0 at Kingsley Park, the last time we were involved in a goalless draw, a full 95 league games ago) & winning both games last season. For now United are playing their home games at the Ford Hub instead of the Riverside so if you are attending on Saturday make sure you go to Keelmans Lane, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR4 0HB.

Ryton can go ten games unbeaten if avoiding defeat while Chester have won their last five league games so something has to give although if Saturday’s game is a draw it will be United’s first of the season having won eight & lost eight of their league games so far. They’ve only scored 15 & conceded 18 league goals in their 16 league games, so defences have generally been on top in their games, though RACA have netted 28 times in the current unbeaten run so it could be an interesting clash of styles at the Hub. Kick of is at 3pm so hope to see plenty of black & blue clad fans there.

RACA came from behind at Sunderland West End with new boys Matty Hayton and Morgan Dart announcing their arrival by bagging all three of Albion’s goals & in doing so extended the remarkable run of nine games unbeaten, eight of those being victories.

 Albion made the first of two consecutive trips to the Ford Hub to face the regular hosts Sunderland West End with both new signings in the squad, Matty Hayton as no11 & Morgan Dart on the bench. With RACA in scintillating form of late it came as a slight surprise when West End opened the scoring on 18 minutes. Luke Page made a poweful run forward then laid the ball wide to Lewis Charlton whose cross into the box was met by Craig Linsell who wrong footed his marker & fired home to score his fifth goal of the season. It was another Linsell, Adam in the Sunderland goal who was made to work in the 29^th minute tipping a dangerous dipping free kick from Declan Bissett over his bar. Daniel Craggs called the West End stopper into action on 36 minutes firing in a shot from distance, but in fairness, Linsell gathered comfortably, despite the shot seemingly taking a slight deflection off a defender. The Wearsiders weren’t too far away from making it 2-0 when awarded a free kick on the edge of the Ryton box in the 43^rd minute. Tom Goundry struck the ball low and hard, it fizzing just the wrong side of the post from his perspective, although keeper Brogan Colquhoun didn’t look to concerned that the shot was goalbound. Colquhoun was forced into a save just before the interval when another Page run forward culminated in him laying off a good pass to Linsell whose attempted lob over the stopper was pushed out for a corner.

HT Sunderland West End 1 RACA 0

 In an early portent of things to come, Louis Calvert had the ball in the West End net after a minute of the second half but it was rightly chalked off for off-side, but just three minutes later he was on-side when Dylan Lawson took advantage of some dithering in the Sunderland defence & poked the ball forward to Calvert, but he shot wide with just Linsell to beat albeit from an awkward angle. Linsell had more to do on 51 minutes, pushing away a useful Craggs free kick out for a corner. Albion did get on level terms on 55 minutes when Linsell could only parry a Lawson  shot to the feet of debutant Matty Hayton who blasted home from close range to open his account for Ryton. There were strong calls for a Sunderland penalty and a red card when Colquhoun brought down Craig Linsell on the edge of the box, but the RACA keeper was fortunate only to be given a yellow & West End had to make do with a free kick. On the hour mark, Albion should have taken the lead when Matty Todd found the unmarked Declan Bissett, but the RACA number 10 could only sky his shot over the bar. Hayton tested Adam Linsell again with a fine strike following good work down the right wing from Joe Groves-Forbes, the keeper diving to push the ball out for another Albion corner. Another Lawson-Hayton combo saw the latter fire narrowly wide in the 78^th minute & two minutes later Linsell had to smother a Lawson shot from close range. Morgan Dart was brought on for his debut & made an almost instant impact scoring on 84 minutes having been set up by Calvert to put RACA 2-1 up after finding himself in space inside the box. Sunderland’s best effort for an equaliser a trundling shot from distance from Taylor Ford which while on target, was an easy gather for Colquhoun. Dart wasn’t finished with his contribution and got his double top in the 89th minute, taking advantage of slack defending to slot home Matty Harrison’s head flick to keep the successful run going. If he can keep this ratio of goals to minutes played up, we’re on to a good thing! Albion stay in 4th place despite the win.

FT SUNDERLAND WEST END 1 RACA 3 Attendance 60

RACA- Colquhoun, Groves-Forbes, Ledger, Burrell (Lawson 36), Errington capt (Caygill 90), Oldfield, Lynch, Craggs, Calvert (Harrison 86), Bissett (Dart 81), Hayton (Todd 76).

ENL Pos: 4th.

Albion have signed Bedlington Terriers’ top scorer forward Matty Hayton. Hayton led the scoring charts at the Dr Pitt with six goals this season & was also top scorer last season with 23 goals (22 in the league). He’s sure to be an exciting addition to an already potent RACA front line. Welcome aboard the good ship RACA Matty.

Midfielder Josh Walker has left RACA and joined fellow Division 2 side Alnwick Town. Josh, who we signed from Heaton Stannington, made six starts & seven substitute appearances for Albion this season & we wish him well in his new venture at St James’ Park. Meanwhile Owen Mitchell has signed for 1st Division West Allotment. A late August signing from Blue Star, Owen didn’t feature in any starting line ups for Nathan Beckham in his time at the Oldhaulage Stadium but did make six appearances as a substitute. Again best wishes to Owen in jumping up a division.

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion is today pleased to announce 22 Law as the new sponsor for the Main Stand at The Oldhaulage Stadium.

The Whickham-based solicitors have signed a 3-year sponsorship deal with the Club.

The agreement will see the Main Stand rebranded as the 22 Law Main Stand with immediate effect, with the company’s branding displayed across the top.

The Main Stand was decked out in the 22 Law branding for Albion’s FA Vase win over Garstang on Saturday.

22 Law Managing Director Andrew Daverson, pictured with Ryton Manager Nathan Beckham, said: “22 Law are excited to be involved with Ryton and Crawcrook Albion – a local family orientated community football club who are clearly on the up and going places and share our ethos at 22 Law of supporting the local community.”

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion Chairman Richard Hands said: “This is another fantastic commercial deal for the Club.

“I’d like to personally thank Andrew and his team at 22 Law for their support and look forward to working with them over the 3 years.”

22 Law was established in 1976 and specialises in commercial and residential conveyancing as well as wills and probate services. Visit www.22law.co.uk for more details.

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The crazy run of home draws in the cup competitions continued with our 8th consecutive tie to be played at the Oldhaulage Stadium, and like in the last round of the FA Vase we’ve been drawn against North West Counties League opponents. This time it’s against Premier League opposition (the same as last season’s victors Cheadle Town) in the form of Barnoldswick Town about whom we’ll feature more about nearer the fixture which is set to be played on October 19th. As it stands ‘Barlick’ are in 13th place in the division but have up to six games in hand of everyone else in the table so a tough task awaits the Albion next month.

After the intensity of games of late, RACA have the luxury of a free midweek before Saturday’s trip to the Ford Hub to play Sunderland West End. On this terrific run of picking up sixteen out of eighteen available points, Albion might well fancy their chances against West End especially having won the corresponding fixture last season 5-0. The Wearsiders have had an in & out season so far, losing five of their first six, then winning their next three league games before embarking on a mixed bag of results that sees them sitting in 15th place. In the cups they also have a mixed record having narrowly lost to Jarrow in the FA Vase but beating neighbours Sunderland RCA in the Durham Challenge Cup. If by Saturday after this mega break you’re itching for RACA action, the address of the Ford Hub is- Keelmans Lane, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR4 0HB

Albion have signed experienced winger Morgan Dart from North Shields. He brings a wealth of Northern League experience having played for Ashington, Blyth Spartans, Seaham Red Star and Ryhope CW. Welcome aboard Morgan.

RACA made it through to the 1st Round of the FA Vase with a 5-2 win over Garstang at the Oldhaulage Stadium. A Louis Calvert treble plus a goal each from Abu Salim and Matty Todd put Albion into the hat for Monday’s draw at the expense of the North West Counties League outfit

Garstang made the 250 mile round trip to Crawcrook in the hope of ending RACA’s fine run of results despite their own inauspicious start to the season. Traditionally, Ryton’s Vase games against North West Counties League have brought goals, at least four in each game with every team scoring in the six previous ties & this was to prove no different.

 Albion were the dominant side in the opening period penning Garstang into their own half as the visitors struggled to clear their lines effectively & it came as no surprise when Louis Calvert opened the scoring on 19 minutes with a beautiful free kick that sailed past Garstang keeper Joshua Lucas & into the top corner of the net. RACA doubled the lead on 26 minutes when Abu Salim scored his 11^th goal of the season across three different competitions with a well struck shot from the edge of the box. Calvert had the hosts seemingly with one foot in the next round on 34 minutes when his gentle flick past Lucas just had the momentum to cross the line & thwart the Garstang defenders’ attempts to reach the ball in time. So RACA went into the interval with a comfortable lead & surely destined reach the 1^st Round proper for the first time in 15 seasons

HT RACA 3 Garstang 0

But what a difference a break makes. The Lancastrians’ manager, former Blackpool player Guy Heffernan, presumably had some choice words to say to his side as they started the second half with much more gusto & shocked the home fans when Andrew Murphy pulled a goal back within a minute of the restart. Then in the 52^nd minute came a key decision that could well have changed the destiny of the game. Garstang again had the ball in the Ryton net following a corner, but just as the men in red were congratulating each other, they noticed the stand side linesman’s flag up as the ball from the corner was deemed to have gone out of play before swinging back into the box. Who knows how Albion would have reacted to having their lead cut to one goal within seven minutes of the restart, but as it happens Calvert restored the two goal cushion with a fine shot from the edge of the box & in the process scored a first hattrick of the season for a Ryton player. This seemed to settle the home side’s nerves & deflate Garstang who were making a decent fist of getting back on level terms. Calvert wasn’t far off getting a fourth goal on 61 minutes with another decent effort from distance that whistled past Lucas’ post. Rhys McLeod rattled said post with his 73^rd minute effort to almost make the game safe, but just two minutes later, Garstang substitute Owen Pye launched a cross cum shot from wide on the right wing that sailed over Albion keeper Brogan Colquhoun & into the net, which if intended as a shot would have been a goal of the season, though Pye’s reserved celebration in contrast to his team mates suggested it was intended as a cross. Whether shot or cross it was a goal to make it 4-2 and it was game on again, & the visitors sensing some hope of salvaging something pressed forward in more numbers. Unfortunately for Garstang, that left them short at the back & RACA sub Matty Todd took full advantage of some ponderous defending, dispossessing his opponent & firing home to make it 5-2 on 80 minutes. Todd could have made it 6-2 in the 82^nd minute, but his goal-bound effort was well saved by Lucas. To Garstang’s credit they still pressed forward despite their ship having sailed & Murphy gave Colquhoun something to think about in the 88^th minute, beating two defenders then striking his shot on target although this was comfortably smothered by the Ryton stopper.

 So Albion make it seven wins and a draw from the last eight games & eagerly await the opposition in the next round being drawn on Monday lunchtime. An all round good day for the club the only negative being the slightly disappointing attendance of 125.

Best wishes to Garstang in their NWCL campaign & we trust they enjoyed their trip to the Tyne Valley despite the result.

FT RACA 5 GARSTANG 2 Attendance 125

RACA- Colquhoun, Skivington, Ledger, Lynch (Lawson 65), Oldfield, Errington, Craggs (Walker 65), McLeod, Calvert (Grieveson 70), Salim (Harrison 77), Groves-Forbes (Todd 70)