Sunderland RCA halt the Railwaymen to clinch win
Sunderland RCA claimed a notable pre-season scalp on Saturday as a brace from Andrew Johnson and a Mark Davison goal helped them to a win by the odd goal in five against Shildon.
The Railway men arrived at Sunderland LGV Park as part of their preparations for a first ever season in the Northern Premier League.
Daniel Moore’s side showed their higher-levelcredentials as they fought back to lead after Johnson’s opener with goals from Billy Greulich Smith and Dean Thexton.
But John son’ s second of the day and a Davison striker was enough to ensure RCA came out on top in an entertaining pre-season contest.
Brad Hird’s late goal was not enough to prevent Ryhope CW falling to a 2-1 defeat at step four club Duns to NUTS as Callum Elliott and Lee Mason netted for the hosts at the UTS Stadium.
First-half goals from Mark Robinson, Joe Kerridge and Thibault Charmey laid the foundations for Seaham Red Star in their 4-1 win against Colney Heath and Kyle Middleton and Dan Maddison both scored twice in Ea sing ton Colliery’ s 6-0 win over Po lt on AFC.
South Shields came out on top in the CEFO CFS Challenge Trophy game at Blyth Spartans.
The Mariners took a two goal lead as Darius O se is co red either side of half-time and they held on for the win despite Connor Byrne halving the deficit with his third goal in as many pre-season games.
Second-half goals from Tom Devitt, Olly Martin and Brian Johnson helped H ebb urn Town come from behind to claim the JR Cleator Cup with a 3-1 win at former Northern League rivals West Auckland Town and Aid en King and Brandon Alderson were on target as Sunderland West End claimed a 2-1 win against Burradon New Fordley.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Dean Briggs’ fine pre-season form continued with both goals in Ashington’s 2-0 win at Heaton Stannington and H or den CW’ s preparations for their first season back in the Northern League were rounded off with a 3-3 draw against Winlaton Vulcans.
Lewis Scorgie hit a brace and Paul Brayson was also on target as Newcastle Benfield claimed a 5-2 win against a determinedPercy Main side and new signings Colin L ark in and Charlie Exley netted in Consett’s 2-1 win against Workington at Belle View.