Heaton Stannington 13 Sunderland RCA 0

Dylan Garvey competes for the ball with Heaton Stannington's Dan Stephenson.

RCA, for the second time this week, travelled north through the Tyne Tunnel, this time heading to Grounsell Park the home of Heaton Stannington. This will be another tough test for the young squad.

The persistent rain had made the pitch very heavy and not ideal for attractive passing football.

Once again the management team made wholesale changes to the team that was beaten by Newcastle Benfield in mid week. Into the starting eleven came Lennox, Henderson and Jonson at the expense of Turns, Grainger and Evans.

 The teams lined up as follows:

Heaton Stannington: Purvis, Evans, J Turnbull, Stephenson, Walker, M Turnbull, Shepherd, Hopper, Slaughter ©, Lamb, Bisset,Lashley. Subs: Proctor, Flynn, Cowburn, Lamb, Taylor.

Sunderland RCA: Chappell, Tait, Goundry, Paul, Bowmaker ©, Lennox, Richardson, Hubbard, Henderson, Robinson, Johnson. Subs; Langley, Turns, Garvey, Martin, Grainger.

A disastrous start for RCA who were 2-0 down inside nine minutes, a long ball forward from M Turnbull looked easy for the RCA defence but a poor clearance, from a back pass, by Chappell fell straight to Lashley who stroked the ball into an empty net from inside the penalty area.

RCA’s only response came through Johnson who broke down the left and appeared to be fouled inside the box but the referee waved play on which is exactly what the home side did with the ball passed forward to Hopper who evaded a number of challenges before forcing a save from Chappell the rebound came back out to him and he made no mistake with the second effort.

Worse was to follow for the Wearsider’s as they were forced to defend deep as Heaton Stannington continued to press forward.

A freekick on the edge of the box after a rash challenge by Paul saw Lamb smash the ball straight through the wall but Chappell was able to make a comfortable save.

Within minutes Lamb had another opportunity as the RCA defence was exposed by a straight forward through ball which the striker took in his stride but Chappell was again equal to the shot.

The third goal came after another poor effort from Lamb rebounded to J Turnbull who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Three minutes later and it was 4-0. A corner on the right was drilled into the box where it was flicked on by Hopper and M Turnbull was quickest to react stabbing the ball home from close range.

With RCA in total disarray the home side took full advantage and a minute later a slick move down the right, Bisset dribbled his way into the box before squaring it to Lamb who smashed his shot against the woodwork and unluckily for RCA the ball fall to Hopper who fired into an empty net.

The visitors eventually got some organization into their play and a good move on the right saw Richardson and Robinson combine to play the ball forward to Henderson who turned his marker but his shot was blocked by Walker.

In fact RCA were actually looking dangerous on the counter attack but seemed unable to find the cutting edge pass in the final third.

However despite this lull in the home sides attacking it was another ball over the top which outdid the defence with the ball falling to Lamb and this time the striker made no mistake smashing the ball past Chappell.

RCA were continually getting caught out by a ball over the top and in the 43rd minute another ball over the RCA defensive line by Slaughter fell to the unmarked Hopper who completed his hat trick taking the ball around the keeper before sliding the ball into the net.

The scoring still hadn’t finished and in the final minute of the half a cross into the box by Slaughter was chested down by Bissett into the path of Lamb who made no mistake from 12 yards out.

The second half started with the home side making two half time substitutions with Burn and Cassidy entering the game.

The game continued in much the same vein as the first half with RCA defending for most of the time and Heaton Stannington attacking at will.

It wasn’t long before the ninth goal came, again slaughter was the instigator picking the ball up midway inside the visitors half he played the ball through to Hopper who smashed home his fourth of the game.

Another double substitution followed while RCA also making changes in an effort to refresh the team.

After all the changes it was the home team who benefitted the most as Watson and Slaughter combined through the centre to set up Lamb for his hat trick placing the ball beyond Chappell.

In the 64th minute a break down the left by Watson who cut inside before send in a dipping shot which Chappell save magnificently tipping the ball over the bar for a corner.

The corner was cleared but only as far as Watson who, from 25 yards out, hit a screamer of a shot which was still rising as it almost took the net into outer space.

A good run down the right wing by Langley had the home defence back peddling, his cross was met by Grainger but he couldn’t control the ball and it was cleared up field.

Turns on the left then made a good darting run; playing a one-two with Garvey before crossing into the box but Walker was able to get their first.

The home team made it a dozen goals in the 71st minute when a slick passing move inside the penalty area ended with Bisset helping himself to the loose ball and stroking it home.

The youngsters of RCA continued to push forward and in the 76th minute they were rewarded with their first shot on target. Again a good run down the right by Langley who whipped the ball into the box for Grainger but the 16 year old stabbed at the ball and Purvis was able to make his first save of the game to deny RCA a consolation goal.

To add salt into the wounds Heaton Stannington made it 13 a minute later when Hooper outpaced the RCA defence crossed the ball into the box for Lamb who completely missed it and the ball fell kindly to Proctor who dispatched the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

With 12 minutes to go this completed the scoring although RCA did have another great chance in the final minute when Lennox played the ball to Langley and the RCA winger cut inside the box before unleashing a low shot which Purvis did well to collect at the near post.

Three games in a week was obviously too much for the RCA team as the pace and Strength of the opposition told its own story.

When the club needed them they stepped up so fair play to each and every one of them.

We move on to play Northallerton Town away on Wednesday, 22 February 2023. Kick off 7.30pm