Bedale Town hosted their first pre-season friendly of the season this weekend at the new look R&R stadium , against Northern League team, Sunderland RCA.

With Players from the first team and reserves both missing, the game looked like it was going to be extremely tough for a weakened Bedale team.

As the sun pounded down on the newly named ground Bedale got the game under way. The game started at a fast and furious pace, and this was to be the norm for the remainder of the game. Opportunities came to both teams with both Steve Dawson and the reliable Adam Bramley both missing clear cut chances.

Bedale held their own in this exciting opener to the 07/08 campaign, but half time was a welcomed break by both teams.

Sunderland came out second half all guns blazing and really started to show why they are a quality outift. 65 minutes in Sunderland grabbed the opener. A neat move which resulted in the striker having an easy tap in. Similiar goals were conceded as Bedale made changes.

3-0 was the final score, but Bedale should be very proud of a gutsy pre season opener to a team in a much higher division.

Dave Mills - 'We should be very proud of ourselves, people were asking me on the sideline how many games we've played this season, and it made me feel good knowing that this was our first and that  we have only just scraped the surface of this very talented Bedale side.'