FT DURHAM UNITED 0 RACA 3 Attendance 53
Albion progressed in the Durham Challenge Cup with a comfortable if not spectacular win over Durham United, inflicting another 3-0 defeat this season on the Scholars with Glenn Caygill making his 100th start for the club. First half goals from Nathan Beesley & Kyle Atkinson had RACA looking safe but debutant Evann Jardine scored a wonderful free kick with the last kick of the game to give the result a more convincing look.
MATCH REPORT
In yesterday’s preliminary round of the Durham FA cup, the Albion visited Maiden Castle desperate to claim victory and see through to the next round of the cup. The sides have clashed once already this season in their league game in which Ryton dominated in their 3-0 win. RACA therefore began quick, hoping to settle their nerves and find their rhythm once again, as well as another victory in a tie that saw Albion stalwart Glenn Caygill start his 100th competitive game for the club
Only 6 minutes in, a lovely cross was whipped in from a RACA corner but denied by the hosts defence. Louis Calvert calmly kept possession within the box until he found space for an effort which was blocked by the hosts. Moments later, Nathan Beesley found the shot after the ball fell to his feet. A well-taken finish by the RACA no.2 after a goalbound attempt from Bewley was blocked by defender Noah Melville placed the Albion 1-0 up in only the 6th minute. Ryton bounced back from their lead, desperate for another. Danny Craggs cleverly won the ball within the midfield and drove down the right wing determined to catch the hosts on the break. He executed an excellent long ball for the head of Bewley yet his effort just glided beyond the cross-bar. In the 36th minute, after a foul on Louis Calvert which fell just outside of the box, the opportunity saw Craggs on the end of a free kick. His strike aimed for the back post before it was headed back across goal for Kyle Atkinson to finish. His header doubled RACA’s advantage following the challenge on Calvert. Only minutes from the whistle, the Albion remained desperate for another to claim early victory before the break. United almost pulled a goal back in the 44th minute when George Killick unleashed a shot from distance which Callum Corkhill did well to tip over the bar & Albion’s two goal cushion remained intact.
Ryton finished the half 2-0 up after many thrilling opportunities were created. The hosts held on towards the end of the 45 as they began to lower in intensity and saw sight of glory fading. RACA, however, left the pitch eager for progression and they hoped to cause further trouble for Durham in the second half.
HT Durham United 0 RACA 2
The Albion saw the first major chance of the second half in the 57th minute from another Craggs free kick. His cross connected with Nathan Beesley whose chance ricocheted off the right post to deflect their third. Only minutes went by before Ryton could taste their third. From another well-taken corner which hit the penalty spot, the hosts defence made sure to get rid as they grasped onto the 2 goals which they already lacked. The ball rolled out to the feet of Fletcher who sent an inviting ball in towards Calvert, a lovely strike from the RACA forward hit the back of the net before it was quickly called offside. Despite a tidy finish from Calvert, their third was overruled and the scoreline remained unaltered from the first half. Durham’s first considerable chance of the second half called for a sharp reaction from Corkhill. After a ball was tidily won by Roberts in the midfield, the Students eagerly beat Ryton’s defence determined to gain their first of the night. Yet their efforts were quickly shut down by Corkhill’s quick collection which denied their chance. 90 minutes played, in the last kick of the game, a free kick was shown for RACA. With debutant Evann Jardine on the end of it, he ambitiously saw sight of goal. His mighty strike pierced the air and sharply smashed the top right netting, he secured their 3-0 win as the final whistle was blown.
FT DURHAM UNITED 0 RACA 3
The Albion celebrated as they successfully walked away victorious against this opposition once again. Durham’s chances were watched closely and Ryton’s defence made sure to keep their clean sheet throughout the whole 90 minutes. The visitors’ well-taken finishes allowed them through to the next round of the Durham Challenge Cup, ideal preparation as for Saturday as they host Billingham Town at the Oldhaulage in their FA Vase clash. Hope to see you there!
RACA– Corkhill, Beesley, Gascoigne (Oldfield 54), Craggs (Basham 70), Caygill, Hayton, Atkinson, Fletcher, Calvert (Ajavon 82), Groves-Forbes (Jardine 54), Bewley (Bell 59). Substitutes All Used