Hartlepool United 0 Sunderland U23 1: Checkatrade Trophy Match ratings

George Honeyman on the attack. Picture by FRANK REID

Mika: First start in Cats clobber and hardly extended. Took a Walker shot with comfort in the first half and intercepted a cross in the second. 6

Billy Jones: Back in action after being limited to a unused sub appearance to date. Got forward nicely and brought save out of Bartlett. 7

George Brady: Steady stuff at the back, didn't have a great deal to attend to. 6

Michael Ledger: See George Brady 6

Tommy Robson: Got forward well to support the attacking effort. Set up a 'goal' for Maja early in second half only for striker to be caught offside. 7

Tom Beadling: Ensured his back four did not have a great deal to do. Moved into the back four for the last half-hour. 6

Ethan Robson: Like Beadling alongside him, gave an assured display 6

Rees Greenwood: A real livewire, he proved one of Sunderland's attacking sparks on the right of midfield. 7

Donald Love: Played first three games of Premier season at right-back but played midfield here and played it nicely, took his goal with aplomb. 7

George Honeyman: Like Greenwood to Love's left, Honeyman was a lively character. Had a decent early chance saved by Bartlett. 6

Josh Maja: Not the happiest night for the striker who could have finished the tie with a hat-trick, but had to make do with an assist. Had two chalked off for offside and fluffed two open goals. 6

SUB:Carl Lawson (for Ledger 53) Came on in an advanced role and was bright, kept the ball well. 6Luke Molyneux (for Greenwood 85): Got a couple of touches N/A

Unused subs: Strysek, Casey, Pybus, Wright, J RobsonGoal: Love 63

Pools (4-3-3): Bartlett, Richards, Harrison, Pollock, Martin, Featherstone, Laurent (Green 69), Hawkins (Walker 7), Fewster (Orrell 24), Paynter, Heardman.Unused Subs: Dudzinski, Richardson, Deverdics, Blackford.Att: 1295 (away 420)