RCA boss Swales hails FA Cup victory against Durham City
Sunderland RCA manager Martin S wales hailed his side’s performance as they saw off a new look Durham City to reach the preliminary round of the FA Cup.
Former Celtic star Didier Agathe oversaw the first game as Citizens manager but saw his side fall to a 3-1 defeat at Sunderland LGV Park.
Dylan Elliott put the hosts ahead five minutes before half-time, but City restored parity with a goal from Loic Grondin less than 60 seconds later.
However, James Fairley edged RCA back in front three minutes after the interval and Nathan O’Neill sealed their progress and set up a preliminary round trip to Thornaby when he scored in the closing stages.
After the game, Swales told The Echo: “It was a great performance, the intensity they played with, we had to match that, and I was happy to see us do that.
“It was important to get through into the next round, no matter what the performance was like.
“We picked a side to go and play against them and we are delighted to be through to the next round.
“We wanted to get off to a good start, we didn’t want to be chasing our tails, and now it’s about kicking on.”
Ry hope CW saw their hopes of a cup run ended by FA Vase semi-finalists Consett after an entertaining tie at Belle View.
The two sides were level at the interval after Jack Walker cancelled out an early strike from Consett defender Darren Holden.
Carl Lawson’s second-half brace put the Steelmen on the verge of the next round and they held on for a win despite Robbie Bird giving Ryhope some brief hope when he found the net in injury-time.
Seaham Red Star also exited the competition at the first hurdle – but manager Mark Collingwood saw a number of positives from their penalty shoot-out defeat at Newcastle Benfield.
The Red Star boss fielded several new signings at Sam Smith’s Park and one of them wasted little time in making an impact.
With his new side trailing to a Lewis Scorgie goal just after half-time, former Hebburn Town striker Jason Blackburn grabbed his first goal for the club to force the tie to a shoot-out.
And despite watching his side go down to a 4-3 defeat on penalties, Collingwood was keen to stress the positives of their display.
He said: “It was a great cup tie and there were lots of positives for us.
“We are like a new team, and it will take us time to get used to each other.
“I was worried going into the game because pre-season has been a bit indifferent – but we went toe-to-toe with Benfield and gave it a good go.
“Penalties is the worst way to go out of a cup – but no team deserved to lose that game.”
Elsewhere on Tuesday night, Hebburn Town warmed up for their FA Vase semi-final at Corinthian with a 4-1 home win against Hemsworth MW.
Dale Hop son and Pete Bulmer grabbed the goals as Thornaby shocked Bridlington Town with a 2-0 win at Tees dale Park and Gee Baltazar scored twice as Billing ham Town won 4-1 at Northern League Division One rivals Northallerton.