‘HURT’ SWALES WILL TARGET TOP FOUR SPOT
Sunderland RCA manager Martin Swales admitted to mixed emotions after his side secured a home win against West Auckland Town.
A Jamie Cobain own-goal and a Mark Davison strike were enough to help RCA to a 2-0 win as they completed the league double over Gary Forrest’s side.
There was a measure of revenge for Swales and his players, with the win coming only two weeks after West progressed into the last 16 of the FA Vase with a dramatic late win at Meadow Park.
The emotions of that defeat are still “raw” for Swales, but he urged his side to move on from their Vase exit as they look to secure a top four place in the Northern League’s top-tier.
“There were massive mix of emotions after the game,” explained the RCA boss.
“I was talking to one of their supporters after the game and I said to him that I would gladly swap the Durham Challenge Cup win and the six league points we have taken from them for their Vase win over us.
“It still hurts, it’s still raw but it’s time to put it behind us.
“They are a great side and we have done the double over them in the last two seasons.
“We played them off the park and we now have to kick on and try and finish in the top four of the league.
“We have dominated the game and we deserved the win.
“The lads played really well, every player did their job and won their battles.
“We are in the mix for a top four place and we have some winnable fixtures coming up.
“It won’t be easy because there is a bit of a gap, but it’s down to us to focus on ourselves and get going.”
Penrith won for the first time this season as Shaun Gardner and Martyn Coleman scored in their 2-0 win at Penirth, and Mark Robinson and Mason McNeill were on target as Guisborough Town saw off North Shields by the same scoreline.
Stockton Town came from behind to take all three points in their game at Whickham.
Andrew Bulford put the hosts ahead just after the half-hour mark, but goals from Peter Bulmer and Kevin Hayes ensured that the Lang Jacks were left empty-handed.