Albion Make Sure the Stars Don’t Shine

RACA put in a solid defensive display to come away from Denton Road with a 2-0 victory in the first game of the Easter double header with Newcastle Blue Star. Aaron Costello scored his 30th goal of the season after just 9 minutes, taking advantage of a defensive mix up to slot home. Both sides had goals ruled out for offside before Lucas Hildreth scored a superb solo goal running rings round two Star defenders before firing the ball in the back of the net to ensure Albion took a two goal lead into the interval.

The second half saw Blue Star camped in the RACA half as they pressed to reduce the deficit but Albion held firm repelling the home side’s attempts to score despite having Costello sin binned for the final few minutes of the match. That’s four unbeaten for Ryton whose next game is the reverse fixture with Blue Star on Easter Monday

FT NEWCASTLE BLUE STAR 0 RACA 2 Attendance 198

Night With the Stars on Tuesday

After the disappointment of Saturday’s late postponement at Bedlington, Albion make the relatively short trip to second placed Newcastle Blue Star for our first game of a quick double header against them. This was originally the Boxing Day fixture that was called off & is now being played at Scotswood, Denton Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 7HB kick off at 7:30pm if you fancy cheering on the Black & Blue.

Terriers match postponed

This afternoon’s Ebac Northern League fixture at Bedlington Terriers was postponed due to unsafe playing areas at Welfare Park.

With no official inspection organised, the decision was made just an hour before kick off by the match official.

A new date will be announced in due course.

Tough Task for Albion on Saturday

Next up for RACA is a trip to the Dr Pitt to face second placed Bedlington Terriers who have already comfortably beaten us at HQ with a 3-1 victory back in October, a game in which Alfa Djalo got our goal. The Terriers have won their last four league games without conceding a goal so we have our work cut out.

If you’re wanting to head up to Bedlington to see if RACA can build on Tuesday night’s win over Washington, the address is Doctor Pit Park, Park Rd, Bedlington NE22 5DP

RACA Make Heavy Weather of it at The Hub

Albion ended their run of winless games with a hard fought victory over Washington at the Ford Hub. It looked as if it would be a breeze for RACA as they raced into a 2-0 lead after just five minutes with Aaron Costello scoring both goals to take his season’s tally to twenty-nine. But instead of increasing the goal tally, Albion allowed Washington to steadily back into the game, keeper Brogan Colquhoun forced into a great save on 34 minutes as the Mechanics tried pushed for a breakthrough. Although Albion held on to the 2-0 lead at half time, the advantage was halved just three minutes into the second half when Nathan Nkunku scored his fourth goal of the season for Washington. As the home side increased the pressure on RACA, they got a deserved equaliser just before the hour mark when Matthew Dawson netted his first of the season. The Albion fans that made the trip were fearing the worst, but Fergus Lynch was on hand to restore RACA’s lead on 84 minutes. That seemed to take the wind out of Washington’s sails & Ryton held on for their first win in six games and move up one place to 11th

FT WASHINGTON 2 RACA 3 Attendance 85

RACA Visit the Mechanics Next

Albion’s next game is away to Washington on Tuesday night but please note this game is at the Ford Hub, not at The Mechanics’ usual home at the Northern Playing Fields. We’ve not met Washington yet this season with the home fixture to be played in April but our opponents aren’t in the best of form having lost ten of their last twelve games and they currently sit second bottom of the table.

If you’re planning on heading down to watch the lads the post code of the Ford Hub is Keelmans Lane, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR4 0HB

Another Draw For Albion in a Game of Two Halves

RACA played out a second 1-1 draw against Billingham opposition in five days, this time a home draw against Synthonia in an eventful game of two halves. Synners who had seen their sixteen match unbeaten run ended last Saturday deservedly led 1-0 at half time against a disjointed Albion who sat very deep throughout the 45 minutes. Declan Brown was the scorer of Billingham’s goal in the 25th minute, and the Albion rearguard had a busy time with Brogan Colquhoun pulling off several saves & Oli Symons heading a goalbound effort off the line. The second half saw Ryton play much more aggressively & levelled when awarded a penalty in the 48th minute following a foul by Sam Taylor, the newly signed goalkeeper on loan from York City. Aaron Costello duly converted the spot kick to notch his personal goals total to 27 this season. It was Taylor who was the busier keeper throughout the second period but RACA were unable to score a second goal and the points were shared. Synners scorer Brown had a bitter-sweet day as he was somewhat controversially dismissed in stoppage time, but it was too late in the day for Albion to capitalise on the numerical advantage.

Albion’s blip continues with no wins in five games now.

Synners Travel North on Saturday

After last night’s draw at Billingham Town, Albion face the green half of Billingham at Kingsley Park on Saturday. Synthonia had their 16 match unbeaten run ended by Easington Colliery on Saturday & will be looking to get back on track against RACA. They’ll also be looking to avenge the heavy home defeat we inflicted on them at Broughton Road in October. We won 5-2 that afternoon with two goals from Richie Hoggins and a goal each from Noah Adotey, Daniel Craggs and Aaron Costello. Carl Williams, now at Redcar Town got both goals for the Synners who at time of writing sit in sixth place just outside the play offs while Albion have now gone four games without winning.

Get down to HQ on Saturday to cheer on the boys in black & blue, kick off is the usual 3pm. Hope to see you there.

Albion held on Teesside

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion were left to rue missed chances after being held to a 1-1 draw by Billingham Town on Tuesday night.

Michael Baxter, who had earlier struck the bar with a lovely effort from the edge of the box, scored the opener on the half-hour mark after closing down and dispossessing goalkeeper Matthew Pattison to slot home.

But, after a sloppy start to the second period from the visitors, Billingham found an equaliser on the hour mark through a super half volley from Harry Close from 20-yards.

Albion produced a strong first half performance but faded in the second. Among the number of clear cut chances, they had a shot cleared off the line and were denied three times in quick succession by the home ’keeper after a goalmouth scramble.

Nathan Beckham’s side will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they host Billingham Synthonia.

FT BILLINGHAM TOWN 1-1 RACA Attendance 103