By Ben Potts
As we continue to take an in-depth look at Morpeth’s opponents for the upcoming Northern League season, we turn out attention to Sunderland RCA.
Club: Sunderland RCA
Nickname: The CA
Founded: 1963 (as Ryhope Youth Club)
Ground: Meadow Park, Beechbrooke, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NZ
Craik Park to Sunderland: 31.4 miles
Last Season: 11th
Twitter: @SunderlandRCA
Morpeth’s second away trip of the season will take place on Saturday, 19 August as the Highwaymen travel to Meadow Park to face Dave Lee’s Sunderland RCA.
Morpeth co-managers Nick Gray and Dave Malone will know it’ll be a difficult game after two very close encounters with the Wearsiders last term.
Goals from Keith Graydon and Paul Robinson earned the Highwayman a point at Meadow Park last August, while skipper Graydon, Joe Walton and Denver Morris scored in a tight 3-2 victory at Craik Park in March.
Prolific goal-scorer Colin Larkin has gave the RCA supporters a lift by agreeing a fresh two-year contract at the club as a player-coach to continue his work both on and off the field.
The overall record between the two sides since RCA’s promotion to Division One for the 2013-14 season in league and cup competitions stands at five Morpeth wins three draws and one RCA victory.
