Sunderland U23 5-3 Hartlepool United U23
A fresh faced Sunderland under-23s survived a late scare as they saw off Hartlepool United at the Academy of Light on Tuesday afternoon.
Dan Casey headed the Black Cats in front on 14 minutes before Andrew Nelson swept home a second 11 minutes later.
Sunderland continued to pile on the pressure but had to wait until the second period before three goals in quick succession from Nelson, John-Yves Poame and a speculative effort from Jordan Blinco put the Lads in firm control.
Hartlepool hit back in the closing stages three times to reduce to deficit and set up a grandstand finish.
Andy Welsh rang the changes to his side and allowed a host of fringe players the chance to gain some valuable match practice.
Dan Pybus started alongside Dan Wright in the middle of the park while Blinco provided some trickery on the wing and Nelson continued his comeback from injury up top.
Sunderland began on the front foot and didn’t have to wait long to go ahead when Casey climbed highest from a corner.
It was the perfect settler for the Black Cats as they began to confidently knock the ball around the showcase pitch without too much pressure from the visitors.
Nelson doubled the Lads’ lead on 25 minutes as he swept home Luke Molyneux’s cross from the right.
The Black Cats continued to pile forward but patience was key as they had to wait until the second period to make it 3-0 with Nelson on hand to apply the perfect finish in front of goal.
Quick feet from Blinco saw him execute a sumptuous through ball and Nelson was able to steady himself before taking aim in front of goal.
Shortly after, Poame made it 4-0 before Blinco rifled home an exquisite strike after waltzing his way inside off the right flank,
Sunderland were cruising but were punished for a lapse in concentration as Hartlepool struck back with a penalty on 79 minutes.
While it appeared to just be a one off error, things quickly escalated as Pools scored a further two goals to set up a tense finale at the Academy of Light.
Sunderland though managed to get themselves over the line but will come away from the match with plenty to think about.
Sunderland: Talbot, Beadling, Trialist, Casey, J Robson, Molyneux, Pybus, Wright, Blinco, Lawson, Nelson