RCA 1-2 Park View – Match Report

Sunderland RCA fell to a defeat in a fiercely competitive game against Park View at Meadow Park.

Owen Imeson opened the scoring after 23 minutes to give RCA a deserved lead before an uncharacteristic Zach Wilkinson mistake allowed Alexander Clark to equalise.

Nathan Conroy’s close-range finish just before the hour proved to be decisive, although both sides had several chances before the game’s conclusion.

Lewis Dodds and his management team made just one change from last week’s win over FC Hartlepool. Chris Trewick returned to the side in place of Jack Patterson who completed a move to Division One side Shildon during the week.

RCA’s first opening came inside the first 30 seconds as Imeson latched on to a knock down before his shot dragged just wide.

Imeson was involved again five minutes in as his driving run forced a foul on the edge of the area. John Anderson’s resulting free-kick was too strong though and the ball flew over.

Park View grew into the game and found their first chance after 18 minutes. Good play on the left set Charlie Loveday away and Wilkinson needed strong hands to keep the forward’s effort out.

An excellent ball over the top by Trewick set Kyle Fryatt away moments later. Fryatt managed to control the ball before laying back to Imeson who made no mistake for his sixth goal of the season.

There was work to be done at the other end when Ben Gallaher let fly, but Tom Howard did well to get in the way and force a corner.

Park View thought they’d found the equaliser on 35 minutes as Jacob Mallinson found the net. Luckily for RCA the assistant’s flag was raised.

There was no such luck three minutes later as a deep cross was spilled by Wilkinson and Clark was on hand to tap into an empty net.

Archie Dodds won a 50/50 challenge on halfway three minutes before the break and set Fryatt away down the left. The winger cut inside and aimed for goal, but it was a comfortable save for Trystan Hounsell.

A frantic start to the second half saw Loveday denied once again by Wilkinson before Trewick made a crucial goal saving tackle on the rebound.

Another Loveday run saw Gallagher played in behind. His initial effort hit the post, but Conroy was on hand to complete the turnaround on 58 minutes.

Imeson almost found a spectacular equaliser two minutes later with an effort from distance after escaping multiple challenges with the ball. It looked destined for the top corner, but Hounsell produced a brilliant save.

Park View were keen to put the game to bed and hit the woodwork twice in the space of a minute through a Niall Armstrong lob and a Loveday effort across goal.

Despite the onslaught, RCA almost levelled the scores when John Anderson headed over James McGeorge’s cross on 68 minutes.

The hosts went close again with nine to play as James Spark’s cross found Tom Howard at the back post. Hounsell was there again to make the save and keep his side ahead.

RCA pushed for the remainder, but they couldn’t find the goal to rescue a point. We return to Meadow Park next Saturday as we host Prudhoe.

Sunderland RCA: Wilkinson, Anderson, Howard, Bennett (Spark 75), Moan, Trewick, Docherty, Dodds, Atkinson (McGeorge 57), Imeson, Fryatt (Leader 85).

Park View: Hounsell, Grimaud, Anderson (Dryden 78), F. Young, Clark, Robson, Mallinson, Gallagher, Conroy (B. Young 78), Armstrong, Loveday.