The training exercise at the Brewery Field saw Sunderland name two entirely different line-ups for each half as the club took to the field for the first time since they returned to training earlier this week.
Lee Johnson named a senior side for the first half, with Aiden O’Brien’s close-range finish putting the Black Cats ahead at the break.
But Spennymoor Town quickly raced into a 2-1 lead after the interval, in which Sunderland introduced their under-23 and academy talents.
Ellis Taylor levelled the scores midway through the half though, as the game ended 2-2.
It will no doubt have been a beneficial afternoon for both squads during the early weeks of pre-season, but which of the club’s players took their opportunity to shine?
Here, Phil Smith looks at how every player fared in the club’s first outing of pre-season...
But Spennymoor Town quickly raced into a 2-1 lead after the interval, in which Sunderland introduced their under-23 and academy talents.
![Has a good turn of pace and showed that increasingly over the course of the half. Clearly an attack-minded full back.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjUyMTY3ZmJkLTgyMDItNDAzMC1iYjI4LTkxN2FjNTQ0MDY4NTo5YWU5YWI5ZS1iNTQzLTQzYjgtYTQ2My1jNTM4ZmVkMGQ2MDg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
13. Ethan Kachosa
Has a good turn of pace and showed that increasingly over the course of the half. Clearly an attack-minded full back. Photo: Pete Norton
![Sunderland’s defence looked overwhelmed in the initial stages of the half but recovered well and Almond led them, good in the air and making some good challenges.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjYxNTE0NzNiLTc1MTUtNDhkYy1iNjUzLWIyYjczM2ZmNWRiMzpiMmJjNjg1MC1kN2ZiLTQ0YTUtYWUwNy05OWViMzAyMjE4OTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
14. Patrick Almond
Sunderland’s defence looked overwhelmed in the initial stages of the half but recovered well and Almond led them, good in the air and making some good challenges. Photo: Frank Reid
![Grew in confidence over the half and showed some good touches. Made one outstanding recovery run and block to deny Taylor.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjgyMDlkMjI5LWRiZWMtNDk0NS1iNWFiLTgwNmFhZDQzNzIyMjo3YmJkYjNlZC00MDgwLTQ1NDYtOWY2MC0zMzYyZWVkODQ1Y2Q=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
15. Cameron Jessup
Grew in confidence over the half and showed some good touches. Made one outstanding recovery run and block to deny Taylor. Photo: Clive Brunskill
![Recovered from a very difficult start to the half, showing his willingness and capacity to get forward.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmQyOWU0ZWIxLWQzMTYtNDc3Ni1hOTg2LWQ4MDQzZDRjYTZkYzo1NjIwZTVlOS1lOGE5LTQ1OGUtYTIwYi02MzBjMGEyNTkxMzE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
16. Tyrese Dyce
Recovered from a very difficult start to the half, showing his willingness and capacity to get forward. Photo: Pete Norton