Sunderland trio handed rare starts against National League opposition before key transfer window
Sunderland U21s face Halifax Town needing a win to keep their National League Cup hopes alive at The Shay
Graeme Murty has named his Sunderland U21s side to face Halifax Town in the National League Cup – handing starts to fringe first-team players Abdoullah Ba, Joe Anderson and Jay Matete.
Murty also named Harrison Jones in his starting XI, with Adam Richardson getting the nod in goal. Jenson Jones, Ben Kindon, Anderson and Archie Lightfoot started in defence, with Matete, Ben Middlemas and Harrison Jones in midfield. Jake Waters got the nod up front with Ba and Ethan Moore on the wings. Anderson, Ba and Matete have all been told they can leave Sunderland this winter, while Harrison Jones is a candidate to depart on loan during the upcoming January transfer window.
The Black Cats’ bench included hotshot striker Finn Geragusian and goalkeeper Ben Metcalf alongside outfield players Finlay Holcroft, Rhys Walsh, Jaydon Jones and Liam Hunt as Murty’s men look to qualify from the group with a win against National League side Halifax Town on Tuesday night away from home.
Sunderland U21s head into the final round of Group D fixtures facing a straightforward equation. Victory is essential if they are to progress, after taking four points from their opening three matches in the competition. Murty’s team opened their campaign with a dramatic win over Scunthorpe through Jack Whittaker’s last-minute strike, before suffering defeat at Boston United and drawing away at Gateshead. Those results leave the young Black Cats fourth in the group and in need of a positive result to stay in the competition.
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Halifax Town provide the opposition and arrive in strong spirits after a much-needed boost at the weekend. The Shaymen ended a run of four straight defeats by beating Solihull Moors 3-0, helped by a hat-trick from former Sunderland forward Will Harris. They currently sit 10th in the National League table with 28 points from 20 matches under manager Adam Lakeland, who replaced Chris Millington during the summer following previous spells in charge of Curzon Ashton and King’s Lynn.
Lakeland’s side have also enjoyed a solid National League Cup campaign. Halifax are second in Group D after beating Middlesbrough and Leeds United in their opening two fixtures and remain firmly in contention to qualify. With only the group winners guaranteed to progress, and with Boston United sitting top on nine points, both teams have plenty riding on the outcome of tonight’s match.
The wider competition remains in its second season after its introduction to provide U21 teams with regular exposure to senior football environments and National League-level physicality. Leeds United are the current holders following their 2-1 win over Sutton United in last season’s final.