Match Report | Sunderland RCA (A)
Updated: Oct 5
The trip to Sunderland had more on the line than your usual '6-pointer' due to the starts both sides have had in their seasons thus far.
Town welcomed back Riley Mouat to the squad who was joined by new signing Alfie Conway in the starting lineup.
First Half
Town were quick out of the box and almost took the lead with less than a minute on the clock. Dale Hopson fired towards the top right corner and James Hopkinson in the RCA goal made an unconvincing save against his own upright before clearing.
Town would have the lion's share of possession and much of the game's attacking intent however, the hosts would take the lead...
Alberto Serra challenged Max McGuckin for the ball in what looked to be a foul to all but the official and the forward charged through on goal and tucked away.
Things would get temporarily worse for Town as RCA found another goal to give them an advantage after 14 minutes. Following a corner the ball found its way out to Ryan Gooch on the edge of the area and his sweetly struck effort nestled into the bottom left.
Town were quick to respond with the returning Riley Mouat key to the team's opening goal. The Spennymoor loanee received the ball inside the area and turned his man with a great piece of skill and was hacked down. Penalty awarded and then dispatched by the ever-reliable Dale Hopson.
Town were the team in the ascendancy with all the pressure on the home defence - however, Town would have to be patient before finally getting the leveller.
It was more brilliant forward play, the lively McKenzie Dicicco brought the ball inside from the left before backheeling the ball into the path of debutant, Alfie Conway who guided a side-footed effort into the bottom corner.
Town would push as the half came to a close to go ahead before the break with Dicicco coming close after Ali Banks had crossed the ball across the 6-yard box but unfortunately, they couldn't find that goal.
HT - Sunderland RCA 2 - 2 Northallerton Town
Second Half
It wouldn't take Town long to finally take their deserved lead. Callum Luck released McKenzie Dicicco with a fantastic ball from deep and the striker was clumsily bundled over by Charles Smith of RCA resulting in the second penalty of the afternoon. Dale Hopson dispatched the spot kick once more.
A couple of changes for Town came and went with Moan, and Hogan entering the fray before Town would give themselves a 2-goal cushion of their own.
McKenzie Dicicco would find himself on the scoresheet this time around after pressurising Alberto Dumba into an error, the forward picked up the ball and fired home for his second goal in 3 games since returning from Newton Aycliffe.
Cam Thomson would then enter the action, and it was less than 5 minutes before he was on the scoresheet.
Dicicco would again be the creator as he broke down the right after good play from Dale Hopson and his low cross was converted by Cam Thomson also registering his second goal in the last 3 games.
Further subs for Town introduced Dan Jones and Leon Scott to replace Hopson and Dicicco and it would be Scott who would add the flourish to the performance.
Fellow sub, Dom Moan saw his drive from distance well blocked and the ball found its way to Leon Scott who took a touch and curled his effort into the bottom corner for his first goal for the club.
FT - Sunderland RCA 2 - 6 Northallerton Town
Sunderland RCA
Hopkinson, Dumba, O James, Lama, Smith, Irwin, Chanayire, Gooch, Ogidan, Serra (Crosby 75'), Ward
Subs not used: Wilkinson, E James
Goals: Serra (7'), Gooch (14')
Northallerton
Fairless, McGuckin, Cocks, Connor (Moan 50'), Luck, Flounders, Mouat (Thomson 76'), Conway, Dicicco (Jones 87'), Hopson (Scott 84'), Banks (Hogan 62')
Goals: Hopson (17' pen, 49' pen), Conway (33'), Dicicco (69'), Thomson (82'), Scott (90')