Sunderland RCA exited the FA Vase in the first qualifying round following a heavy defeat at fellow Northern League Division Two side Ryton & Crawcrook Albion.
Jack Elliott’s seventh minute opener set the tone for a first half home onslaught which saw them 3-0 ahead thanks to a close range Aaron Costello finish and a Charlie Grieveson header from a corner.
A glimmer of hope presented itself as Dom Moan pulled one back for RCA, heading into the break, but it didn’t take Ryton long to reestablish their authority after the restart as Elliott found his second soon after kick-off.
Zach Wilkinson in the RCA goal made a string of impressive saves to try and limit the score throughout the game, but he was powerless to stop Joseph Groves-Forbes converting a simple chance to round off the scoring.
This was RCA’s first game under an interim management team led by Lewis Dodds following Mark Forrest’s resignation on Thursday. Dodds, Paul Wilkinson, Clayton Davis, and Neal Atkinson made two changes from the midweek loss to Alnwick Town. James McGeorge and Jack Patterson returned to the XI to replace Callum Guy and Lewis Lukeman.
The second significant loss at The Old Haulage stadium in two weeks began much the same as the first. A set-piece early in the game wasn’t met by a yellow shirt, or any shirt for that matter, as Elliott’s inswinging free-kick from the right evaded everyone and found the far corner.
It looked certain that Louis Anderson would make it two on 25 minutes when he received a cut-back six yards from goal, but Wilkinson’s outstretched hand denied the forward.
Ryton wouldn’t have to wait long for the second as nine minutes before half-time Nathan Beesley’s deflected cross found Rhys Hutchinson in space. He squared for Costello who had the simple task of prodding home.
Misery was compiled for RCA soon after as another set-piece caused problems. This time Elliott’s corner was met at the back post by Charlie Grieveson who powered home a header.
RCA showed their attacking set-piece prowess moments later as Moan rose highest to head in off the bar from Archie Dodds’ floated delivery.
Despite this temporary respite, it was just that, temporary. Inside the first four minutes of the second half Elliott had his second. A long-range pass found the forward in acres on the right and he squeezed his first-time effort beyond Wilkinson at the near post.
The visitors tried to rally as substitutes brought energy and fight, but the quality and cohesion required still didn’t materialise. David Ojo was a particularly bright addition in the second half as he won plenty of challenges from left-back and looked to drive RCA up the pitch on several occasions.
Still, the majority of opportunities went the home side’s way. Jack Patterson made an excellent goal line block while Wilkinson was continuing to make impressive saves.
Ryton would go one better than their last meeting with RCA as Louis Calvert burst down the line before squaring for Groves-Forbes who couldn’t miss.
Guy forced Ryton keeper Callum Corkhill into a good save from a free-kick in one of the final actions of a dismal day in the FA Vase for RCA.
The interim management team now have a much-needed full week to prepare for the trip to Seaton Carew in the Northern League next Saturday.
Ryton & Crawcrook Albion: Corkhill, Beesley, Grieveson, Atkinson, Caygiill, Plunkett (Hayton 65), Hutchinson, Groves-Forbes (Bailey 72), Anderson (Bell 66), Elliott (Lynch 66), Costello (Calvert 44).
Sunderland RCA: Wilkinson, Bennett, Thompson (Ojo 46), Moan, Fowler, Charlton (Imeson 55), Patterson, Dodds, Wright (Richards 68), McGeorge, Fryatt (Guy 68).