SUNDERLAND RCA v RYHOPE CW

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Qualifying Round

In a parallel universe the score of this game was 8-4. The version played at Meadow Park didn’t quite live up to that score line, but it wasn’t far short in terms of great, entertaining cup footie.

As an all-Ebac Northern League Cup tie it looked the tie of the round involving our clubs (and had even enticed BT Sport to cover it).  It didn’t disappoint.

RCA took an early lead. In the third minute a cross by Colin Larkin set Stephen Callen up for a shot that was well saved by Ryhope keeper Jonathan Ball only for the ball to fall to Mark Davison who rifled it home.  It was then difficult to keep track of all the chances the hosts created.  First up was a Luke Page shot saved by Ball, Larkin then couldn’t get his effort on target when he got on the end of a partial clearance.

Ryhope we’re struggling to get into the game and it wasn’t until the 13th minute before James Ellis had their first shot. A minute later Larkin had another shot that hit the post. It rebounded out to Michael Charlton but his shot was off target.  Seconds later a Davison header across the box set Page up only for his shot to go wide.

You started to wonder if RCA would rue the way they were squandering all of their chances.

RCA we’re running Ryhope ragged.

They finally managed to grab a second in the 17th minute when Dylan Elliott found Charlton with a well-placed pass on the edge of the box, with the RCA No 7 managing to find the net.

Despite all of their chances, Ryhope gave themselves hope and some much-needed confidence in the 26th minute when Ellis sent in a free kick from the left, with it going in off defender Greg Swansbury. 2-1 and Ryhope had found a way into the game.  The visitors started to play much better and making more of a game of it.  The two sides then started to trade scoring opportunities:

– A Davison header wide

– A curling shot by Robbie Bird acrobatically saved by RCA keeper Scott Pocklington

– A Ben Riding header, but just over by the Ryhope skipper

– Ball just managing to save a Page effort

– Davison unselfishly pulling the ball back to Larkin when he could have had a shot himself, only for a Ryhope defender to clear it

– Ryhope’s Michael Rae knocking it across to Josh Home-Jackson only for Ross Preston to get ahead of the Ryhope No 10 within inches of the line at the far post.

The teams had packed more into 45 minutes than you see in 90 minutes at other games…..

Seconds out, second half:

Callen with a blocked shot and Page’s follow-up shot deflected over.

Then RCA extended their lead when Davison rose above the Ryhope defence and his header made it 3-1 (if I was keeping track successfully).  The game was effectively put out of Ryhope’s reach in the 66th minute when Larkin latched on to a long kick out by Pocklington.  The Ryhope defence appealed for offside but the RCA No 10 had just beaten the offside trap, timing his run perfectly, leaving the defenders trailing in his wake. His first shot was well saved by Ball but Larkin was given a second chance when the blocked shot fell back to him and this time he put it away.

Four minutes later Ryhope gave themselves a bit of hope when Ellis squeezed past a couple of defenders.  He put the ball across the six yard box and it went in off RCA sub Craig Hodgson.

The tie was put to bed in the 78th minute when Larkin rode a tackle, stayed on his feet and planted it past Ball with the outside of his right foot.  Ryhope kept plugging away but didn’t seriously threaten the RCA goal again.

But we still weren’t finished. Two minutes into added time Riding and Callen were sent off after a confrontation between them following a robust tackle by the Ryhope captain. They had to be kept apart by team mates before seeing red.  Initially I thought the double red cards had slightly tarnished an otherwise excellent game. After a bit more consideration, it just added to the drama.

A terrific game.

Sunderland RCA 5 Ryhope CW 2.

Mike Snowdon