Goals from Freddie Marr and Collins Unuareokpa had the YC on course for their first win since November, until RCA’s Jackson Ward pulled one back and Liam Appleby equalised in the final minutes.
The home team came into the game looking to get back on track with their fight for a playoff place, following a winless period of seven matches in the league. As for the Sunderland side, the team hoped to carry on recent momentum after gathering 4 points from the last two games.
The YC’s first chance of the match came in the 7th minute when Unuareokpa latched onto Harry Marr’s teasing through ball, however RCA keeper Preston Leech came out well to stop the winger’s effort.
At 27 minutes, after an attempted clearance from a YC corner, the referee signalled to the spot for handball, giving the home side a golden chance to take the lead. Prudhoe did just this as Marr coolly sent the keeper the wrong way with a slot into the bottom right corner.
There was almost instant response from the visitors at the half hour mark, as Appleby held the ball well and laid in Ward down the left side. Luckily for the YC, Sam Wilson made himself big with a strong save.
Moments before half time, Ryan Ndiweni did brilliantly to win the ball back in RCA’s penalty area and get a shot off early, resulting in a low save from Leech.
In the second half, the away team were nearly gifted a foothold back in the game. Prudhoe's Riley Boertien failed to get enough purchase on his backpass to Wilson, causing a scramble with Callum Hughes who eventually couldn’t get enough power on his effort towards the open net.
That said, the away side’s pressure throughout the second period seemed to have gone to waste by the 69th minute, as Unuareokpa made it three goals in as many games. An inch perfect trivela through ball from Brad Rogers released the winger, who emphatically fired home.
Prudhoe’s breathing space didn’t last long as the visitors halved the deficit minutes later through Ward. RCA’s men were lining up around the YC box, with the number eight’s initial strike blocked before rifling home on the rebound.
From here, the away side ramped up the pressure with four corners in the final 15 minutes of the game.
Just before the end of normal time, Liam Appleby’s strike earned RCA a deserved point. Thomas Bexton’s initial header from Adam Cocks’ corner rattled the cross bar, before the number nine smashed home on the half volley.
This proved to be the last opportunity of the game, as the sides settled for a draw.
Next up for Prudhoe is Grangetown Boys Club at Essity Park in midweek.