Sunderland U21s continued their National League Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw, followed by a penalty shootout against Gateshead on Tuesday evening.
The Black Cats fielded a number of forgotten first team faces on Tyneside - with the likes of Timothee Pembele, Abdoullah Ba, and Jay Matete all featuring for Graeme Murty’s development side - and looked the better side in the early knockings, going close twice in a matter of seconds as Ethan Moore and Abdoullah Ba were both denied.
Sunderland almost took the lead again just before the interval when Moore saw a shot cannon back off the crossbar after some tenacious work from Ben Middlemas, but it was the home side who stole ahead in the 42nd minute when Matete was dispossessed and Dom Telford scampered onto a through ball to finish neatly.
The first chance of the second half fell to Jaydon Jones, but the young midfielder was smartly denied by Tiernan Brooks after an exquisite pass from Middlemas. Sunderland didn’t have to wait long to restore parity, however. A superb through ball from Jenson Jones found Moore in the box, and when the striker’s saved shot fell to Ba, the Frenchman could hardly miss from close range.
From there, the Black Cats looked them more likely, with Jaydon Jones again going close after meeting a sharp cutback from Pembele, and with the game edging towards a penalty shootout, the teenager came agonisingly close to deciding it in the visitors’ favour, only to see a curling shot cleared off the line. Gateshead would threaten at the death with a flurry of chances, but the deadlock remained intact as the final whistle blew.
A muted penalty shootout ensued, with Middlemas converting, before Jaydon Jones and Matete both had their spot kicks saved. Dan Cameron produced an outstanding stop to keep Sunderland’s hopes alive, however, as Moore netted his attempt and Heed clipped a panenka well over the bar. Ba also found the back of the net, but substitute Rhys Walsh was thwarted brilliantly, sealing defeat for the Black Cats.
5. Jenson Jones
Showed flashes of real quality and a superb range of distribution on occasion. His through ball in the build-up to the goal was nothing short of sublime. 8 | Chris Fryatt
6. Jaydon Jones
Effective in fits and starts, another steady display for a developing talent. Was slipped through one-on-one by Middlemas just before the hour but couldn't find a finish, and blazed over from a real opening at close range after Pembele and Ba combined well down the right. Nearly decided it at the death, but his curling effort was cleared off the line. His penalty was well-saved. 6 | Sunderland's Jaydon Jones - Photo by Ben Cuthbertson
7. Ben Middlemas
Marshalled the midfield well in a mature performance. Could have had an assist had Moore finished just before half-time, and was once again denied when Jaydon Jones failed to capitalise on his exquisite through ball. Scored his penalty. 7 | Sunderland's Ben Middlemas - Photo by Ben Cuthbertson
8. Jay Matete
Looked tidy enough as the most advanced in a midfield trio in the early stages, fizzing the ball about nicely and putting in the hard yards to regain possession when needed. Faded a little, and will perhaps feel he was shrugged off the ball too easily in the build-up to Gateshead's opener. Lacklustre penalty saved in the shootout. 6 Photo: Frank Reid