Month: August 2018

Match Preview: Ryhope CW vs Shildon AFC

Colliery Welfare face Shildon AFC in the Ebac Northern League tonight, in their second home match of the season.

Looking to put the disappointment of the weekend’s FA Cup exit behind them, Ryhope will hope for better luck against Shildon than they had in their games last season.

Last season’s games against Shildon came within two days of each other due to postponements. The home tie was a 3-1 loss for RCW. James Ellis put Colliery Welfare in the lead after 16 minutes, but Shildon responded with three before the break and the sides played out a goalless second-half.

The away tie was another Shildon win, Stephen Ramsey scoring two for Ryhope as we slipped to a 3-2 defeat. It was an entertaining late season encounter that saw Jonny Ball have a cameo appearance up front. He put himself about a bit to be fair.

We currently sit on three points in Division One of the Northern League, an opening day victory over Newton Aycliffe followed up by a 1-3 home loss to West Auckland.

Our opponents have had an unbeaten start, drawing 1-1 at home to Stockton on opening day before beating Guisborough 4-1 away in midweek.

Northern League Division One

Venue: Ryhope Recreation Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0AB

Date: Tuesday, August 14

Kick-Off: 7:30PM

The opposition

Daniel Moore’s men finished 3rd in Division One last season, the closest challengers to the rampant Marske and Morpeth. They finished on 80 points, 17 back on Morpeth Town in 2nd.

Our opponents boast a young squad, the average age of registered players coming in at around 26 years-old.

Among them is former Hartlepool and Carlisle man Matty Robson, who scored in the fixture at Dean Street last season, young defender Dominic Curl who won the club’s player of the season award and Billy Greulich-Smith, a hard-working forward who caused us problems in both fixtures last season and is a former Northern League player of the year.

They also strengthened a fair bit in the summer, including the signing of Marske United’s Danny Earl who scored over 30 goals last season.

 

FA Cup preview: Sunderland RCA vs Ryhope CW

“Only now do you realise how much it means to the lower level league clubs like ourselves and C.A.”

Those are the words of our manager Gary Pearson, as we prepare for the first Ryhope Derby of the season, in the FA Cup extra preliminary round.

Waiting for the winners of the derby is an away day at Clitheroe F.C., of the Evo-Stik League Division One West, in the preliminary round on the 25th of August.

Colliery Welfare have had bad luck in games against neighbours RCA, availability issues hitting us in both games last season as RCA did the double over us, beating us 3-1 at Recreation Park and 4-1 at Meadow Park.

The lads will hope for a little bit of the magic of the FA Cup as they look to end a run of four winless Ryhope derbies since promotion to Division One of the Northern League.

FA Cup extra preliminary round

Venue: Meadow Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NZ

Date: Saturday, August 11

Kick-Off: 3:00pm

Speaking ahead of the derby, Pearson said: “Growing up I didn’t realise the FA Cup started at this level. I’ve had a taste of the magic on numerous occasions at various levels as a player, all very enjoyable (apart from the defeats).”

“But only now as a non-league manager do you realise how much it means to the lower level league clubs like ourselves and the C.A.”

On the importance of the FA Cup to our season, Pearson added: “The progressive prize funding can really make a difference to the rest of your season, helping the financial burden on owners/chairmen/committee/fans etc.”

“All the best to all involved, enjoy the game and may the best team win (hopefully us),” the gaffer finished.

The opposition:

RCA took a narrow away defeat to Newcastle Benfield in their opening game of the season.

However, they followed that up with a midweek win over Whickham to get their first 3 points of the season, and in emphatic fashion with a 3-0 overhaul of the newly-promoted side.

Mixed signs from a side that had a very good campaign last time out where they finished 4th in Division One on 79 points.

Despite the lack of competitive Ryhope derbies, there’s plenty of history between the two sides.

RCA are managed by Martin Swales, who had a long spell in charge of Colliery Welfare, while their captain Greg Swansbury also had a successful spell with us.

Other former CW players on the books at the C.A. include forward Nathan O’Neill and midfielders Clayton and Jonathan Davis.

Meanwhile our squad also boasts former RCA players in Joey Melvin, Danni Lay and Josh Home-Jackson.

Views from the lads:

Captain Ben Riding is relishing the chance to play in the FA Cup, saying: “It’s a massive privilege to be involved in a massive competition like the FA Cup.”

“As a kid growing up watching the competition, to be playing in it is kind of a dream come true.”

“Let’s just hope we can have a good little run this year as it’s massive for the club as well as the players.”

Goalkeeper Jonny Ball is also looking forward to the competition, particularly with the added incentive of the Ryhope Derby: “There’s something special about playing in the FA Cup”

“It’s a great derby to be involved in, and even more so as it’s the FA Cup.”