Elliott Dickman has praised Lee Connelly following his brace in Sunderland under-18s’ pre-season victory over Gateshead College on Saturday.
With just three faces from last season’s youth team in the starting XI, there was a new-look to Dickman’s team ahead of the 2016-17 U18 Premier League campaign.
While Gateshead dominated the opening exchanges, Benjamin Mbunga-Kimpioka dispatched a fine free-kick from 20-yards out to hand Sunderland the lead just shy of the half-hour mark.
Lee Connelly then executed a perfectly-weighted lob early in the second period before Jake Hackett’s long-range drive slipped under Gateshead’s stopper and into the net.
With time all but up, Connelly slotted home his second to make it 4-0 after a neat one two with Hackett.
Speaking to safc.com Dickman was quick to draw on a host of positives and highlighted Connelly’s flying start as a pleasing factor.
“It was a good run out for the lads in their first game back,” he said. “We mentioned to the players beforehand that it was all about getting back into the swing of things and being comfortable on the ball.
“We worked well as a team in and out of possession so there were plenty of positives to take from the game."
He continued: “Lee is lively and has done well in his first couple of weeks at the academy. He has done smashing in his first match but that is why we offered him a contract in the first place.
“We need to just continue now and look to tidy up on a few bits. We will work on our general fitness, our care and detail when we have the ball and then we will work on our shape when we don't have it.”
