Swales bemoans an absent quartet as Crook beat RCA
Sunderland RCA manager Martin Swales bemoaned the absence of four key players as his side suffered a 2-0 home defeat against Crook Town in Northern League Division One.
RCA went into the game looking to build on the dramatic win they claimed at Tow Law Town last time out, but were robbed of the services of experienced quartet Stephen Callen, Andrew Brown, Greg Swansbury and Chris Trewick.
A slow start was punished by the visitors as Kai Hewitson’s brace put them in control and ultimately gave them all three points, despite a vastly-improved second-half display from Swales’ side.
After the game, the RCA manager told The Echo: “We were very disappointed because we conceded two goals with individual mistakes.
“In the second-half, we pressed them in their own half and had a great chance when Ryan Leonard had a one-on-one but missed the target.
"We huffed and puffed but when you take four big players like Chris Trewick, Greg Swansbury, Stephen Callen and Andy Brown out of your side you’re not going to boss games.”
Ashington moved level on points with leaders Newton Aycliffe after Dan Magu
ire, Darren Lough and Lee Mason were all on target in their 3-0 win at Redcar Athletic.
A Danni Lay brace and a goal apiece from Marcus Giles and James Fairley gave Bishop Auckland a hardearned 4-2 win at struggling
Thronaby, and top-five contenders Whitley Bay and Guisborough Town battled to a goalless draw at the KGV Stadium.
Whickham made light of playing with 10 men for over 70 minutes in their 4-1 home win against Pickering
Town.
Kaleb Young was dismissed for a poor challenge during the first-half but a Shay Richardson brace, a Dan Turner opener and a debut goal from Tom Romano helped the Lang Jacks to all three points.
Heaton Stannington left it late to see off Northallerton Town at Grounsell Park. Luke Hogan fired the visitors in front but Declan Bisset grabbed an equaliser with 10 minutes left before Leighton Hopper clinched the points for the Stan.