'Brilliant' Sunderland youngster earns praise after spectacular debut for loan club Hebburn Town
A Sunderland youngster scored two goals in five minutes during his debut for his new loan club.
Sunderland youngster Jake Waters enjoyed a spectacular debut for loan club Hebburn Town just hours after agreeing to spend the rest of the season with the Black Cats’ non-league neighbours.
Waters agreed to a second loan spell of the season on Tuesday after he spent time with National League North side Spennymoor Town earlier in the campaign and was immediately named in the Hornets squad for their home game with Northern Premier League Premier Division rivals Stocksbridge Park Steels.
After being named as a substitute, Waters was introduced into the action inside the final ten minutes with his side leading through a goal from top scorer Gary Martin. Within five minutes of his arrival, the Black Cats striker grabbed his first goal for his new club before doubling his tally and securing all three points in a 3-0 win in the second minute of injury-time.
Moore was delighted with Waters’ impact and he revealed the young forward could have an important role to play as he side push for a first ever promotion into the National League North.
He said: “We nearly had Jake in January but he went to Spennymoor and it’s a higher level so it’s understandable he wanted to go there. We thought we had the deal done but it was an opportunity to play at a higher level and it just didn’t quite work out for him. He’s had a horrible time with injuries since turning professional but he’s a quiet, unassuming kid that just wants to play football.
“For him to come on last night for 15 minutes and get a couple of goals was absolutely brilliant and we’ve been looking for that out and out centre forward to support Gary Martin because we might have to go with two strikers towards the end of the season. He’s a big lad, he can run and it was nice to see a striker in that area. He scored with his second touch, he got a shot away quickly and it was nice to see that thought process from a young lad that wants to score goals.”
Commanding
Waters was not the only Black Cats youngster that enjoyed an immediate impression for Hebburn after goalkeeper Isaac Allan kept a clean sheet just hours after agreeing to spend the rest of the season at the Trustmark Group Stadium. The move came after Sunderland recalled Dan Cameron from his loan stint with Hebburn and he has now joined National League side Boston United on a deal lasting until the end of the season. After producing a solid and commanding display on his Hornets debut, Allan received strong praise from Moore for his performance as he showcased a number of qualities that his new manager appreciates.
“For him to come in, and credit to our lads in front of him as well because we’ve been great defensively, and show he has a good voice, show he’s good on the ball and that he is commanding is a real positive. The solid defence helped Dan when he was here and I am sure it will help Isaac too. He’s got real presence and that’s what I like from a goalkeeper.”
Development
The loss of Cameron was a major blow to the Hornets after the Black Cats stopper made a major impact during two separate loan spells with the club. He will now test his unquestionable ability and promise at a higher level as he spends the remainder of the season on loan with National League club Boston United - and Moore is delighted with the role Hebburn have played in helping the young keeper during the early years of his professional career.
“I didn’t know but Dan made 42 appearances for us and it’s a really strong number for a young goalkeeper to play in senior football,” he explained. “I’ve always said if we can help a young player in his development and go on to bigger and better things we will. Getting a good move to a strong level is brilliant and I think they wanted him at a higher level after he did really well for us so we wish him all of the best.”
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Identify
After making promising starts to their time with Hebburn, Allan and Waters will hope to continue impressing when their new side host Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday afternoon. Moore believes the quickfire deals that were struck earlier this week is a sign of the ‘great relationship’ that has been fostered between the two clubs in recent seasons as the Black Cats continue to place their trust in their non-league neighbours.
He said: “It’s a relationship that has been built over a number of years now. I was watching Sunderland’s Under-21s the week before last and chatting with some of the staff when I was watching a few players. I think they trust me and Hebburn now and they know it’s not just about getting a loan player, which some clubs do. I try and identify players, I go out and watch them in academy football and see how they are doing. Sunderland will appreciate that and know we will look after them when they are with us. We have a great relationship that is good for them and it’s obviously good for us because we get young professionals that have a great attitude and want to do well in the game.”
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