Middlesbrough U23 3-2 Sunderland AFC U23
Sunderland Under-23s suffered last-gasp heartbreak on Sunday afternoon, as Middlesbrough claimed all three points against the young Lads at Rockliffe Park.
Calum Kavanagh’s hat-trick – two of them penalties – was enough to take home the victory for Boro, despite Sunderland clawing back from two goals down to level the match through Benji Kimpioka and Arbenit Xhemajli.
A slightly more senior side than in recent weeks began the game for Mike Dodds and Michael Proctor’s team, with Kimpioka and Cieran Dunne both returning from bouts of Covid-19 – Dunne captaining the Lads who also featured new recruit Trai Hume, who played the full 90 minutes.
A passive start to the match saw Middlesbrough shade the early openings, and as the tempo of proceedings rose, Boro were the team to take advantage as Joe Gibson was felled by Tyrese Dyce – the referee awarding a penalty. Kavanagh stepped up and side-footed home for the opener.
And the son of former Sunderland midfielder Graham soon after headed a second, a well taken finish from a cross from the left-hand side.
Sunderland grew into the game as the first half wound down, attempting to eat into the deficit, and were helped in no uncertain terms when Nathan Wood scythed down Taylor on the edge of the Boro area – a second yellow card for the centre-half.
From the resulting free-kick, Kimpioka curled an excellent strike into the far top corner, a much-needed boost for the youngsters.
A lively start to the second half from Sunderland stunned Boro, whose shape dropped several yards due to the lead combined with being reduced to 10 men. And the pressure told just minutes into the half, as Cameron Jessup and Xhemajli both challenged with a Boro marker in a crowded penalty area, a header appearing to be from the Kosovan looping into the net over Sol Brynn to draw level.
Whilst chances themselves were limited, the pace of the game remained and the contest looked to be ebbing away to a well-earned draw – Dunne and Taylor both getting shots away, whilst Josh Coburn fired off target at the other end.
But in the final minute of injury time, the referee once again adjudged a Boro man to have been tripped inside the area for a penalty – Jacob Carney reaching Kavanagh’s hat-trick attempt with a firm hand, but not quite enough to keep it out.
There were still seconds remaining for Hume to try his luck from distance, but Brynn collected the effort which signalled the final whistle.
The young Lads next return to Eppleton in eight days’ time, hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers.
SUNDERLAND AFC U23: Carney; Johnson, Xhemajli, Jessup (Kachosa 57’), Dyce; Sohna, Scott; T. Hume, Taylor, Dunne ©; Kimpioka (Kelly 76’).
Subs not used: A. Richardson, Fieldson, Newall.