Sunderland U18 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers U18
THE ACTION
Sunderland secured a second consecutive win in the U18 Premier League on Saturday afternoon as they overcame Wolves at the Academy of Light.
The visitors were left ruing a mixture of wasted opportunities and Anthony Patterson’s heroics as Sam Greenwood’s free-kick and Ryan Leonard’s close-range finish earned the Black Cats three points.
SCENESETTER
Mark Atkinson’s side came into the game looking to put last Saturday’s extra-time U18 Premier League Cup defeat to Chelsea behind them. The Black Cats secured a 1-0 win at Derby in their last league game, while opponents Wolves had failed to register a league win since a 2-1 win in the reverse of this fixture in September.
EARLY PRESSURE
Despite sitting below the Black Cats in the U18 Premier League table, Wolves looked sharp early on. They almost found themselves ahead 11 minutes in but Patterson pulled off a fine save from Enzo Sauvage’s close range strike to keep the game scoreless. Ryan Giles caused problems down the right flank for Wolves, sending in a low cross that Brad Carr sent over the bar when it seemed easier to score.
WOLVES THREATEN
The Black Cats were under pressure but looked to fashion chances of their own, with Tom Howard and Greenwood combining down the right before Bali Mumba fired a 20-yard shot over the bar. Wolves’ high press continued to cause problems for Atkinson’s side, with Sauvage heading wide from 10 yards after latching on to Howard’s misjudged clearance, but the hosts were well in the game with the sides goalless at half-time.
CATS SHOW THEIR CLAWS
The Black Cats came close to finding the net nine minutes into the second period as Mumba picked the ball up and drove forward before rattling the bar from 20 yards. It was a warning for Wolves, who found themselves battling a much-improved Black Cats side in the second half. The hosts still had to remain on guard, however, and had Patterson to thank on the hour mark as the keeper pulled off a stunning save to block Sauvage’s 10-yard shot with the goal gaping.
BREAKTHROUGH
The Black Cats found the breakthrough after 68 minutes - and in some style. Terry Taylor brought down Greenwood 20-yards out, and the winger made no mistake as he whipped the ball over the wall and into the keeper’s side of the net to give Atkinson’s side the lead. Wolves pushed for an equaliser late on but paid the price for their efforts as Sunderland countered through Mumba in injury time and the midfielder laid off substitute Leonard for an easy finish to double the lead and ensure three points stayed on Wearside.
Sunderland U18s: Patterson, Howard, Devine, Connolly (Scothern, 68’), Derbali, Edmundsson, Greenwood, Mumba, Dunne (Leonard, 78’), Lilley, Kokolo (Slack, 78’).