Sunderland U21s 1 Newcastle U21s 1: Highlights as Alex Bass scores dramatic equaliser after Joe White goal
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Four first-team players were named in a strong Sunderland side, as Bass, Niall Huggins, Abdoullah Ba and Jay Matete all started.
Jewison Bennette also came off the bench, yet it was Newcastle who took the lead courtesy of Joe White’s first-half strike.
The hosts were also reduced to 10 men in the closing stages as Jay Turner-Cooke was sent off, before Bass scored from a corner at the death.
Here’s how the game played out:
RECAP: Newcastle U21s 1 (White, 32) Sunderland U21s 1 (Bass, 90+4)
Key Events
- Sunderland XI: Bass, Huggins, Johnson, Crompton, Newall, Ba (Bennette, 45), Matete (Burke, 64), Spellman (Kachosa, 89), Taylor, Gardiner, Thompson
- Subs: Richardson, Jessup, Kachosa, Bennette, Burke
- Newcastle XI: Smith, Barclay, Bondswell, Miley (Hutley, 75), Brookwell, Murphy, Scott (Diallo, 70), Turner-Cooke, Westendorf (Ndiweni, 84), White, Stephenson
- Subs: Wiggett, Brown, Huntley, Diallo, Ndiweni
Good Evening!
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Sunderland’s U21s fixture against Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Several first-team players are expected to start for the young Black Cats, with Graeme Murty’s side looking to make it back to back wins in Premier League 2, Division 2.
We’ll have all the build-up ahead of the match, as well as in-game analysis and reaction.
Stick around and refresh the page for live updates.
Team news
We’ll start with the Sunderland team news.
Full-back Niall Huggins is set to play 90 minutes tonight as he continues his return from a long-term injury setback.
The 21-year-old has played 45 and 67 minutes in Sunderland’s last two under-21s fixtures respectively.
Other first-team players who didn’t play at Luton could also start, including the likes of Jewison Bennette and Abdoullah Ba.
Winger Michael Spellman and striker Max Thompson are available again following suspensions.
Murty on Newcastle
Graeme Murty has now overseen three matches in charge of Sunderland’s under-21s side.
The young Black Cats beat Stoke U21s 3-2 last time out, with Harry Gardiner scoring twice and Edouard Michut getting the third.
On tonight’s match against Newcastle, Murty said: “They’re all big games for the players, and Newcastle will be a special atmosphere. I’m really looking forward to it, as are the players, and it’s another test for them in a new environment.
“They might be nervous, but that’s great – they’ll have to deal with that in their careers. And we’re looking to build that resilience into the players whereby they can channel that anxiety in the right way out on the pitch.”
What to make of that side
So there are four first-team players starting for Sunderland, including Bass, Huggins, Matete and Ba.
Bennette has also been named on the bench, with the feeling he could be needed for Wednesday’s trip to Huddersfield while Jack Clarke is suspended.
Ellis Taylor has also been named in the starting XI after spending the first few months of the season on loan at Hartlepool.
Spellman and Max Thompson are also available again following suspensions.