How it played out as Sunderland U21s are beaten by Middlesbrough U21s in TWELVE -goal contest

The second half was more reminiscent of a basketball match as the young Black Cats were regularly stretched at the back in the Premier League 2, Division 2, contest.

After taking a 3-0 lead in the first half, Boro always appeared in control, with Matthew Hoppe, Pharrell Willis and Sonny Finch scoring for the Teessiders.

And while the match finished with just a two-goal margin, that was only because of two late goals from Caden Kelly, who scored twice after coming off Sunderland’s bench, and Ellis Taylor.

Michael Spellman and Ethan Moore were also on target for the hosts, while Hoppe and Finch both added another goal for Boro, with Joe Gibson and Jack Stott also getting on the scoresheet.

The opening goal came after just five minutes when Sunderland defender Ben Crompton conceded possession, presenting Hoppe with an early chance which the striker converted at the second attempt.

Boro went close again when Jack Stott hit the crossbar, yet Sunderland made a contest of the match and almost drew level as goalkeeper Liam Roberts made two sharp saves to first deny Spellman and then keep out Chris Rigg’s long-range effort.

Those moments proved decisive as Boro scored twice in the final eight minutes of the half, with Willis and Finch converting after runs down the visitors’ left.

Boro’s first-team defender Marc Bola was also forced off with an injury before the interval, yet Boro’s pressure continued at the start of the second half, with substitute Gibson beating Nathan Newall in the box and converting past Jacob Carney at the keeper’s near post.

Spellman pulled one back immediately before the match descended into chaos as both sides lost their shape.

Sunderland will now prepare for Friday’s league fixture against Norwich.

Sunderland U21s XI: Carney, Wilson, Crompton, Pye (Bainbridge, 58), Newall, Sonha, Rigg (Burke, 75), Middlemas (Kelly, 58), Spellman, Taylor, Gardiner (Moore, 46)

Subs not used: Richardson

Goals: Spellman (48), Kelly (70, 90+2), Moore (76), Taylor (90)

Middlesbrough U21s XI: Roberts, Gitau, Lindo, Bilongo, Bola (Gibson, 36), Willis, Stott, Boyd-Munce, John (Woolston, 64), Finch, Hoppe

Subs not used: Sivi, Simpson, Metcalfe

Goals: Hoppe (5, 67), Willis (40), Finch (45, 75), Gibson (47), Stott (88)