Ryhope chief disappointed after derby-day draw with RCA
Ryhope CW joint-manager Chris McCabe has admitted that he was disappointed that his side only took a point from their derby with Sunderland RCA.
The local rivals got their season underway with a hardfought clash at Sunderland LGV Park and it was Ryhope that struck first when Brad Hird put them in front with 13 minutes gone.
Boosted by their opener, Ryhope continued to press as Ben Riding, Kyle Davis and Robbie Bird all came close to doubling their lead.
Their inability to find a second goal was to cost them as Dylan Elliott got RCA back on level-terms nine minutes into the second-half when he rounded off a quick counterattack with a stunning finish.
Both sides had chances to claim all three points in a frantic finale to the contest, but they had to settle for a share of the spoils – something that left McCabe slightly underwhelmed.
“We are a little bit disappointed that we didn’t come away with all three points if we are honest,” explained McCabe.
“I think we were the much better side in the first-half, RCA came into it a little bit in the second-half.
“We had four or five really good chances and their keeper has made some outstanding saves and we hit the post twice.“It’s the first game of the season, it’s a derby and you don’t want to lose.
“It’s a p o i nt away f ro m home, but we are disappointed we didn’t get all three.”
However, McCabe’s opposite number Martin Swales insisted that the draw was a fair result and revealed that he was always confident that his side would get an equaliser
He said: “It was a tough game but that’s what you want from a derby isn’t it?
“Full credit to them, they started very well, and I don’t think we got to grips with the system.
“But I thought we’d get a goal and we did; it was a great strike by Dylan.
“I think we were the better side second half but if I’m being perfectly honest, hand on heart, I think a draw was a fair result and everybody in the ground would probably
say the same.”
Seaham Red Star were unable to get their league season underway with a win as they battled to a goalless draw with Whickham at the Ferguson Motor Repairs Stadium.
Shildon made a blistering start to their push for promot.ion as they romped to a 5-0 home win against West Auckland Town.
The Railwaymen held a three-goal advantage by the half-time whistle had been b l ow n a s B i l l y G reu l ic hSmith, Aidan Heywood and Chay Liddle all found the net.
And a dominant display was rounded off in the last ten minutes when Ben Trotter and Zak Atkinson added their name to the score-sheet.
Stockton Town had to battle for a point in their Teesside derby against Guisborough
Town.
The Anchors took the lead on the half-hour when Mikey Roberts found the net against his former club – but two second-half goals from Louis Goldsack and Sonni Coleman looked to have put the visitors on their way to a win.
But the spoils were shared when Stockton centre-back Tom Coulthard found a late equaliser for his side.