Stoke City U18 0-2 Sunderland U18
Sunderland ended their U18 Premier League campaign with a very impressive three points against Stoke City on Friday afternoon.
The young Black Cats went into their final league game desperate for a win to lift them off bottom of the table, above Wolverhampton Wanderers who have two more games to play.
Following a nervous opening to the game, Sunderland carved out a number of openings but lacked a killer instinct to edge themselves in front.
It took until five minutes into the second half to break the deadlock when Jack Diamond cleverly turned, held off the challenge of three Stoke players before driving the ball home.
The visitors continued to press and were duly rewarded in the 85th minute when Diamond got his and Sunderland's second.
Ben Kimpioka fed the ball through to Jake Hackett who put then slid Diamond through to put the game beyond the hosts.
Speaking post-match Mark Atkinson said: "We had a youthful side out, as did Stoke City, it took us a while to get into our stride.
“In the second half we seemed to grow in confidence and once we got the first we were more relaxed.
“I'm very pleased with the two goals Jack (Diamond) scored.”
Sunderland: Woud, Muamba, Howard, Young, Krushnell, Best (Slack 75), Hackett, L Connelly (Greenwood 75), Kimpioka Diamond, J Connolly (Smith 80).
Subs not used: Patterson.