Cowan takes the positives from Sunderlan d RCA’s gutsy defeat to title chasers

Sunderland RCA assistant manager Mark Cowan insisted that his side can take positives from their narrow defeat at title-chasing Hebburn Town.
Action from Sunderland RCA's narrow defeat to Hebburn Town.Action from Sunderland RCA's narrow defeat to Hebburn Town.
Action from Sunderland RCA's narrow defeat to Hebburn Town.

Goals from Stephen Callen and Dylan Elliott were not enough to help RCA end a run of five consecutive defeats at the Green Energy Sports Ground.

A Cedwyn Scott brace and a goal from Michael Richardson helped the table-topping Hornets to victory and leave Martin Swales’ side searching for a first win since a 4-0 home triumph against Penrith in late September.

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However, Cowan stressed that RCA must go into Wednesday night’s visit to Thornaby in a more positive frame of mind. He told The Echo: “I spoke to Kevin Bolam (Hebburn Town manager) at half-time and he said he knew we would be dogged and make life difficult for them.

Sunderland RCA pushed high flying Hebburn Town all the way.Sunderland RCA pushed high flying Hebburn Town all the way.
Sunderland RCA pushed high flying Hebburn Town all the way.

“We asked for a reaction after the Benfield game and we expected them to have a lot of the ball. But I thought we coped really well and at times, we got on top in spells of the game. We just ran out of steam a bit.

“If I look at the last three or four games, it’s not a case of playing badly, it’s been about individual mistakes. There are positives to take from Saturday and we will take them going forwards.”

Ryhope CW also fell to a defeat against a title-chasing side as Coleby Shepherd, Craig Spooner, Dan Wilson and Callum Smith all found the net in North Shields’ 4-0 win at the Recreation Ground.

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Ryhope joint-manager Chris McCabe believes that they made it easy for their in-form visitors. He said: “They got on top, then scored and we just rolled over for them to be honest. They’re a good side, a really good side and we were beaten by the better side.

Action from Sunderland RCA's defeat to Hebburn TownAction from Sunderland RCA's defeat to Hebburn Town
Action from Sunderland RCA's defeat to Hebburn Town

“We were just a little bit disappointed that we rolled over for them.”

Seaham Red Star are still looking for their second league win of the season after Thornaby claimed all three points at the Ferguson Motor Repairs Stadium.

Goals from Bobby Pye and Elliott Beddow put the visitors in control, and they secured a third consecutive league win, despite Lewis Suddick giving Red Star some hope with his maiden goal for the club.

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Veteran striker Paul Brayson scored five times in Newcastle Benfield’s impressive 6-0 home win against Guisborough Town.

Hebburn Town players celebrateHebburn Town players celebrate
Hebburn Town players celebrate

Jack Robson, Zak Atkinson and Declan Bisset all scored as Whickham moved into the top eight with 4-1 win against bottom of the table Bishop Auckland.

Adam Shanks scored a hat-trick in Whitley Bay’s 4-0 home win against Billingham Town and Ethan Wood and Adam Burnicle found the net as in-form Newton Aycliffe came from behind to secure a 2-1 win at West Auckland Town.

Shildon and Stockton Town failed to break the deadlock in their highly-anticipated clash at Dean Street and Jake Orrell’s late goal helped Consett to a 2-1 home win against Penrith.

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A Dan Cranston brace and a goal apiece from Max Cowburn and Jack Butler put Ashington on their way to a 4-1 win at Nelson in the FA Vase second qualifying round.

In Division Two, Durham City chairman Gary Hutchinson has hit out at the Citizens display in their 7-1 hammering at Billingham Synthonia.

Former City striker D’Andre Wainwright marked his Synners debut with a hat-trick against his old club and Ben Bielby scored twice as the hosts ran out comfortable winners at Norton Sports Complex. Ben Jackson and Stephen Morrison were also on target as City’s run without a league game was stretched into an eleventh game.

They turn their focus towards Tuesday night’s Durham Challenge Cup tie against Easington Colliery and Hutchinson is hopeful that new faces will provoke a reaction from the Citizens.

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Hutchinson said: “We knew it was going to be hard against a decent Synthonia team, but I felt some players were either not fit enough or good enough.

“As a club, we will bring in more players to get us out of the situation we have found ourselves in again, with no wins in the first 11 games.

“We are waiting on the FA and league but do hope to have a few new faces for Tuesday’s Durham Challenge Cup cup game. Everyone, including the players, knows that Saturday’s performance was poor, so we need to improve and quickly.”

Sunderland West End fell to a late defeat in their visit to Willington.

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Darren Liddle’s side looked to be heading for a point after newly-signed striker Dan Maddison saw his goal cancelled out by Willington frontman Ash Davis.

But there was a sting in the tail for West End as former Blyth Spartans midfielder Ryan Cummings grabbed a last-gasp winner for the hosts.

Easington Colliery remain in the fourth and final promotion place after a fine 3-2 win at Heaton Stannington.

The Colliers fell behind to a Dean Imray goal but took control at Grounsell Park with a goal from Connor Slack and a Josh Home-Jackson brace. Richie Hoggins reduced the arrears in injury-time.

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Chester-le-Street Town claimed a credible point at in-form Newcastle University as Jay Smith’s late equaliser helped the Cestrians battle back from falling behind to a Keith Douglas goal.

Washington were left empty-handed from their home game against West Allotment Celtic, despite taking a surprise lead against the promotion challengers.

Brad Chisholm put the Mechanics ahead but Allotment won 3-1 thanks to goals from Michael Baxter, Jacob Forster and Matty Hayton.

Lee Kerr, Peter Jones, Kris Allen and Adam Lennon were all on target in Jarrow’s 4-1 home win against Ryton and Crawcrook Albion and Jack Honour’s brace put Birtley Town on their way to a 3-1 win at Esh Winning.