Story of the night as Sunderland win at Lincoln to begin Papa John's Trophy title defence after Dan Neil and Stephen Wearne goals

Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Sunderland began the defence of their Papa John’s Trophy title with a 2-1 win at Lincoln.

Lee Johnson made ten changes to his starting XI following Saturday’s defeat at Portsmouth, with promotion from League One clearly the priority this season.

In a squad which had a mixture of first-team and under-23 players, Denver Hume made his first competitive start of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury, while Dan Neil captained the side.

Under-23s players Kenton Richardson, Oliver Younger, Ellis Taylor, Harrison Sonha and Will Harris got a chance to impress.

Dan Neil of Sunderland scores the first goal during the Papa John's EFL Trophy Group match between Lincoln City and Sunderland at Sincil Bank Stadium.

Goals from Neil and substitute Stephen Wearne saw the Cats claim all three points in Northern Group F, ahead of a meeting with Manchester United Under-21s at the Stadium of Light next week.

The only negative was that Sunderland midfielder Luke O’Nien was forced off with an injury in the second half.

Here’s how the game played out at the LNER Stadium:

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor

RECAP: Lincoln 1 (Montsma, 90+3) Sunderland 2 (Neil, 2) (Wearne, 72)

Key Events

Sunderland XI: Burge, Richardson, Alves, Younger, Hume, Neil, Sonha, Pritchard, O’Brien, Taylor (Wearne, 62), Harris (O’Nien, 74) (Embleton, 81).
Subs: Carirney, Almond, O’Nien, Newall, Kachosa, Wearne, Embleton
Lincoln XI: Long, Poole, Montsma, Sanders, Robson, Sorensen, Walsh (Eyoma, 46), Longdon (Bramall, 69), Adelakun, Maguire (Nlundulu, 69), Scully
Subs: Boylan, Bramall, Eyoma, Nlundulu

Tue, 05 Oct, 2021, 20:02 BST

Half-time change for Lincoln

TJ Eyoma replaces Joe Walsh at the break.

Tue, 05 Oct, 2021, 19:48 BSTUpdated 19:50 BST

Half-Time: Lincoln 0 Sunderland 1

Tue, 05 Oct, 2021, 19:44 BST

Stop him of you can

Tue, 05 Oct, 2021, 19:43 BSTUpdated 19:43 BST

43’ Off the post

Excellent pass from Sonha to find his team-mate on the left.

Tue, 05 Oct, 2021, 19:40 BST

40’ Lincoln pressure mounting

The hosts found more space on the right as Maguire was released.

The Lincoln forward had time to deliver a low cross into the box but no one was there to convert.

Tue, 05 Oct, 2021, 19:36 BST

34’ Two chances for Maguire

Just as Sunderland fans were admiring an excellent turn from Neil, who spun away from Sorensen before almost releasing O’Brien, Lincoln broke forward at the other end.

First, Longdon found space on the right before cutting inside and forcing Burge to make a save.

Moments later, Maguire’s effort was blocked by Alves and went behind for a corner, before the Lincoln attacker registered another shot which Burge parried away.

Tue, 05 Oct, 2021, 19:27 BST

27’ Lincoln wingers switch flanks

Maguire and Adelakun appear to have switched flanks, with the former now up against Hume.

There was a brief pause in play as Adelakun went down but the game has continued now.

Tue, 05 Oct, 2021, 19:24 BST

23’ Over from Maguire

A cheer from the away fans after Maguire cut in from the left and fired a shot over the bar.

The former Sunderland attacker has been quiet so far.

Tue, 05 Oct, 2021, 19:18 BST

The away fans

Tue, 05 Oct, 2021, 19:17 BST

17’ Important blocks from Younger

Lincoln are starting to find space on the right where Adelakun is looking dangerous.

The Imps winger cut in from the flank there but saw two efforts blocked by Younger who did well to anticipate the threat.