The story of the day as dominant Sunderland claim pre-season victory at Harrogate Town
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Black Cats have drawn with National League North opposition in Spennymoor Town and York City this summer, while putting in an impressive performance against Scottish top flight side Hearts last weekend.
And head coach Lee Johnson will be hoping for another encouraging display as the side head to North Yorkshire once again – this time to take on League Two outfit Harrogate Town
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Hide AdThe game, which will be played behind closed doors, could see Luke O’Nien make his first public appearance of pre-season after penning a new contract.
Summer signings Corry Evans and Callum Doyle could again feature, but the fixture is set to come too soon for Alex Pritchard.
Away from the clash, Sunderland are also hopeful of some boosts when it comes to player recruitment in the near future.
Our team of Phil Smith and Mark Donnelly will be bringing you the latest from The EnviroVent Stadium.
FT: Harrogate Town 0-4 Sunderland AFC (Embleton 11, 15, Winchester 40, Taylor 68)
Key Events
- Sunderland head to Harrogate Town in their fourth pre-season friendly.
- Luke O’Nien, Bailey Wright, Will Grigg and Carl Winchester could all return.
- The game will now be played behind closed doors after a late update.
- Sunderland XI: Patterson, Winchester, Neil, Evans, Doyle, Flanagan, Diamond, O’Nien, O’Brien, Stewart, Embleton
18 - CHANCE!
Diamond again comes close, with what would have been a superb goal.
The winger beats his man before curling towards the top corner - but his strike is only narrowly over the bar.
He’s looked very lively so far.
24 - Sunderland playing really well here
This has been a great performance from the Black Cats.
They’ve looked lively in the final third and have looked a real threat going forward.
Harrogate are becoming frustrated and their captain, Josh Falkingham, is vocally calling for improvement.
25 - A chance for Harrogate
Fallowfield pinches the ball from Neil on the left and dinks a cross into the near post.
Armstrong connects with a header but can’t steer it on target.
That was a chance, and he probably should have tested Patterson.
31 - CHANCE! EVANS!
Stewart plays a one-two with Embleton and bursts into the box.
He pulls back a cross which is missed by O’Brien on the edge of the area - but lands kindly for Evans.
The midfielder has a go from 25 yards and his shot is extremely well hit, but rises just over the bar.
36 - Close for Harrogate!
Armstrong does well to recover possession on the edge of the box and weaves his way inside from out wide.
He drills low across goal but the shot is just the wrong side of the post.
A corner is given so Patterson must have got some fingertips on that.
40 - GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLL! WINCHESTER!!!
That’s absolutely superb from Sunderland.
It all starts with Diamond on the left who creates some space with a great piece of trickery.
He then finds O’Brien who threads a perfect pass into space in the area.
And there was Winchester, who burst forward before cooly slotting past Oxley.
A lovely move, and Sunderland are now 3-0 up!
HT: HARROGATE 0-3 SUNDERLAND
Well, that was good!
Sunderland have played some excellent stuff here and are deservedly ahead at the break thanks to Embleton’s brace and Winchester’s late goal.
More of the same, please!
Looks like a half-time change for Sunderland...
Lee Burge is currently warming-up in full kit, so it looks like he’ll be replacing Anthony Patterson.