Sunderland RCA exited the Durham Challenge Cup on Tuesday night against Northern League Division 1 side Shildon despite a spirited performance at Meadow Park.
Shildon took the lead on the half hour mark through Jon Weirs after some brilliant football in and around the RCA area and doubled the lead just before the break via a Jake Fowler own goal.
Jackson Ward gave RCA hope late on with an excellent finish from the edge of the box, but Shildon secured their place in the next round with a stoppage time goal from Nathan Greenwood.
Mark Forrest made three changes from Friday night’s outing at Durham United. Jack Patterson was awarded a first start after a cameo appearance at the weekend, while Simmi Tchounga returned to the squad alongside Dom Moan.
The visitors arrived in Ryhope in sparkling form, winning six of their last seven in league and cup.
Despite their stature, they struggled to fashion a real opening in the early goings.
At the other end, RCA showcased some confident play with Aiden Stanton and Calllum Guy combining well up top during the first quarter of the game.
Guy almost found an opener on 27 minutes with the game’s best chance up to that point.
The ever-lively forward advanced down the right before exchanging passes with Chris Thompson and taking aim from inside the area. His shot going just wide of the far post.
However, on the half hour mark, Shildon showed their quality with an exceptional goal.
An intricate passing move on the edge of the RCA area involving Greenwood, Adam Lennox and Weirs cut the hosts open and the latter finished calmly past Karl Dryden in goal.
RCA weren’t deterred, though. Two minutes later Sam Taylor got down well to save a well-struck Archie Dodds effort from 18 yards.
There was almost an equaliser before half time as Guy worked well with Lewis Lukeman to find Stanton in the box, but his flicked attempt took a deflection to send it wide.
As with the first goal, the Railwaymen punished RCA shortly afterwards.
Dryden could only palm away a Shildon corner back into the area, and when Fowler tried to clear, he miscued and the ball looped into the top corner to send the visitors two up going into the break.
Again Forrest’s side responded with their heads up. Four minutes after the restart Stanton’s excellent pressure allowed him to pick out Guy in the area, but Taylor was on top form to save a shot that looked destined for the top corner.
Shildon still offered a threat at the other end with Greenwood being denied by Dryden after a marauding run from Ciaran Banks.
Pressure continued to build as RCA searched for a way back into the cup tie. Patterson saw a dangerous cross diverted over by Thomas Price shortly before Lukeman’s fierce strike whistled just wide.
The goal RCA desperately deserved finally came on 86 minutes. Dryden’s long kick forward was flicked on by Stanton to unleash Ward. The substitute’s first-time effort flew into the top corner and there was a glimmer of hope.
RCA pushed for the equaliser, but were left stretched. Billy Greulich-Smith’s delicate flick set in fellow sub Luke Spalding who squared for a chance Greenwood couldn’t miss.
Six defeats on the bounce now for RCA, but a much improved performance will give players, staff and supporters alike some much-needed encouragement going into the weekend.
We return to league action on Saturday 11th October as we welcome Grangetown Boys Club to Meadow Park for a 3:00pm kick-off.
Sunderland RCA: Dryden, Dodds, Patterson, Fowler (Dumba 78), Bexton, Tchounga (Richardson 82), Lukeman, Moan, Stanton, Thompson, Guy (Ward 66).
Shildon AFC: Taylor, Allen, Banks, Houlahan (Greulich-Smith), Marriott, Price, Harris, Weirs (Hodgson 57), Lennox (Reay 66), Greenwood, Smith (Spalding 70).
Attendance: 86