Ryton & Crawcrook Albion 1-0 RCA – Match Report

Sunderland RCA’s winning league run came to an end at Kingsley Park as Ryon & Crawcrook Albion edged a tight contest that was short on chances.

Morgan Dart’s finish on the rebound midway through the first half proved to be decisive in a game that barely resembled the nine-goal thriller the two sides recently played out in the League Cup.

RCA fashioned good opportunities in the second half, with Max Monaghan and Dom Moan going closest to finding an equaliser.

The defeat leaves RCA in 12th place after the run of straight league wins helped the lads climb up the league table.

Mark Forrest and his coaching staff made just one change from the side that beat Seaham Red Star last time out as Callum Guy returned to the side, replacing the injured Jackson Ward.

Conditions weren’t favourable for free-flowing football, but RCA fashioned the first clear chance of the game on eight minutes.

An excellent defence-splitting pass from Guy found Jack Patterson at the back post, but the wing-back couldn’t keep his close-range effort under the bar when striking first-time.

Over the next 10 minutes the visitors were forced into early changes on both flanks. Both Patterson and Chris Thompson had to leave the pitch with injuries, being replaced by young defenders Monaghan and Luke Richards.

Albion began to gain more territory further up the pitch and almost took the lead on 17 minutes when first Callum Johnston was denied by Karl Dryden before Albe Fletcher’s follow-up went over the bar.

They were sure not to waste their next opportunity, however. Dryden pushed Johnston’s free-kick onto the post, but Morgan Dart was on hand to finish from the rebound on 25 minutes.

Moments later, Ryton thought they had doubled their lead when Johnston tapped in from no more than two yards after Josh Skivington’s initial effort struck the post, but the assistant’s flag was raised for offside.

RCA were much improved after half-time, commanding much more of the play and asking questions of Albion’s backline.

Despite the improved performance, a real chance of note didn’t appear until the 66th minute when Archie Dodds’ deep free-kick was helped on by Aiden Stanton for Moan who acrobatically volleyed just wide.

Just two minutes later RCA’s best chance of the game arrived.

The ball reached Monaghan at the back-post via a few deflections following Richards’ cross, but the young full-back could only hook wide of the far post.

RCA were working the ball into positive areas, but great last-ditch defending from the hosts meant clear attempts on goal were few and far between.

Stanton and Jamie Harwood both went close from Dodds corners, but nothing troubled Callum Corkhill in the Albion goal.

As the game went on, RCA committed more men forward and Ryton had opportunities on the break.

Dryden made an excellent double stop to deny Nathan Beesley and Dart on the break.

RCA continued to push, but Ryton were resilient and saw the game out to claim victory.

A disappointing result, but attentions must turn to the next game as RCA welcome league leaders Redcar Town to Meadow Park next Saturday 22nd November for a 3:00pm kick-off.

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion: Corkhill, Beesley, Oldfield, Hyde, Hayton, Dodds, Emmerson (Parker 39, Whittaker 84), Skivington, Johnston (Lawson 79), Dart, Fletcher (Driver 76).

Sunderland RCA: Dryden, Thompson (Richards 15), Charlton, Moan, Fowler, Harwood, Patterson (Monaghan 10), Dodds, Stanton, Lukeman, Guy.

Attendance: 247