By Connor Lamb

Sunderland RCA climb to 10th with impressive win at Seaham

Sunderland RCA claimed a second league win of the season with a 5-0 victory at Seaham Red Star on Tuesday night.

In a game marred by an awful pre-match incident, RCA were always on top and goals from Nathan O’Neill (x2), Dominic Moan, James Armstrong and Jonny Davis gave RCA an impressive win.

Seaham didn’t create much throughout, and RCA were good value for their win which lifts them to 10th in Northern League Division One.

The pre-match incident meant kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes, but once underway, RCA asserted their dominance from the off.

A couple of early Seaham efforts were blocked, but it only took RCA nine minutes to break the deadlock. Luke Page’s superb lofted ball caused all sorts of trouble for Jordan Harkess, and O’Neill beat the Seaham ‘keeper in the air to head home.

A good chance fell the way of Moan soon after for the visitors, but Harkess was equal to his effort.

In the 21st minute, RCA’s lead was doubled. A deep cross found O’Neill at the back post, and his header from a tight angle looped over Harkess and into the net.

As the first half wore on, RCA continued to look threatening. And, in the 39th minute, they added a third. A perfectly weighted through ball played Moan in, and the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man slotted home.

Seaham had a big chance to regain a bit of hope just before the break. A cross found Vinny Gash in the penalty area, but his volley darted narrowly over the crossbar.

Five minutes after the break, Seaham had another chance to give RCA something to worry about. David Palmer had possession on the penalty spot. Despite having spotted Gash in a good position to his left, Palmer went alone and his effort was blocked.

Soon after, RCA’s fourth wrapped the game up. Fine football from the visitors worked the ball around the park, and Armstrong’s inch perfect chip found the net to make it 0-4.

O’Neill headed narrowly wide for RCA on the hour mark, before a good save prevented Moan.

At the other end, Ross Toward had a chance for the Red Star. His initial effort was blocked, and his rebound was drilled wide.

Liam Haley had an effort save for Seaham in the 70th minute, but the rest of the game was all RCA.

A couple of further RCA chances came, before they added a fifth from the penalty spot in the 76th minute. An inswinging corner caused all sorts of havoc, with several shots being blocked. Eventually, a foul on Armstrong meant the referee awarded a penalty. Davis took responsibility, and he tucked the ball into the corner.

A few good saves from Harkess prevented RCA of a sixth late on, but it counted for little with the game long gone.

Full-time: Seaham Red Star 0-5 Sunderland RCA

Next up for me is Tow Law Town vs Easington Colliery on Saturday.

Seaham Red Star: Harkess, Toward, Weirs, Hutchinson, Myers, Howe (Haley, 69′), Palmer, Gardner, Gash, Steele (Hodgson, 46′), Jewitt (Hetherington, 57′)

Unused subs: Donnelly, Collingwood

Sunderland RCA: Pocklington (Kokoska, 46′), Armstrong (Richardson, 79′), Watson, Lilley, Hodgson, Davis, Charlton (Limbo, 73’), Page, Moan, O’Neill, Jury

Unused subs: Callen, Davison

Admission: £6 adults, £3 concessions

Programme: £1

Attendance: About 150

Referee: Christopher Keightley