Fixture pile-up catches up with young Black Cats in U18 defeat to Middlesbrough
It seemed as if the recent fixture pile-up had taken its toll on the young Black Cats.
Boro started well and Sunderland keeper Jack Newman had to make a good, early save. The Teessiders all but sealed the win with two goals in 10 minutes before the half hour was up.
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Hide AdAfter 17 minutes, a Boro corner was delivered to edge of the box and defender Nathan Guru smashed the ball through a crowd of players into the net.
They doubled the lead on 26 minutes when Boro broke quickly,following a Sunderland corner. The ball was switched from the right to the back post where Hayden Hackney came in to half-volley past Newman.
Sunderland sub Robbie Dunne forced a great save after coming on for the second half, but it was an isolated effort, despite an improved performance on the restart.
Despondent Sunderland coach Mark Atkinson said: ”This was overall a tired performance. We had a few half-chances in a better second period but still looked rather leggy.”
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Hide AdSunderland’s final game is at home to West Brom this coming Saturday.
Middlesbrough U18s: Brynn, Guru, Hood, Gale, Wood-Gorden, Brahimi (Walker 56), Hackney, Wearne, Fletcher (McGill 73), Sinior (Watts 76), O’Neill. Subs not used: Flatters, Robinson.
Sunderland U18s: Newman, Derbali, Edmundsson, Howard, Evans, Greenwood, Hesson, Neill, Leonard (Slack 45), Trialist (Dunne 50), Kokolo (Devine 66). Subs not used: Patterson, Lilley.