Sunderland U23s 2-4 Sheffield Wednesday U23s
safc.com’s Sam Lightle gives an insight into Sunderland under-23s’ latest display at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
RAIN SOAKED
Sunderland under-23s’ hard work in the first period turned to dust in the second 45 as Sheffield Wednesday romped to a 4-2 victory on Wearside. George Hirst broke the deadlock for the visitors with just three minutes on the clock before goals from Andrew Nelson and Alex Storey helped the lads to a half-time lead. But Wednesday struck back after the break, with Hirst netting twice to wrap up his hat-trick and Matt Penney dispatching a fine free-kick.
WRIGHT TRACK
Elliott Dickman called upon Daniel Wright to fill the central midfield berth alongside first-year pro Chris Allan. Elsewhere, Jack Diamond started on the left with Jake Hackett also handed a start in behind Andrew Nelson up top.
FEELING BLUE
Sheffield Wednesday, wearing their all blue home kits, dealt with the rain soaked conditions the better in the opening minutes, swiftly taking full advantage. Lax defending from the hosts saw them punished to the max, with Polish stopper Max Stryjek unable to keep out Hirst as he bore down on goal. The hosts were left searching for character, someone to stand up and be counted but it didn’t come as Wednesday’s physical forward should’ve doubled their advantage minutes later following more sluggish defending.
HARD WORK AND GRIT
Part of Simon Grayson’s blueprint is to graft. And Andrew Nelson’s style of play is indicative of that as he stormed down Wednesday’s defence to win the ball back and led the charge from the front. Bullish challenges and sly nudges helped Nelson gain valuable ground for the lads, who continued to trail from the visitor’s third minute goal. But with 27 minutes played, Nelson netted his third goal in pre-season, getting in behind and calmly beating the ‘keeper. Sunderland were level but by no means in control and the visitors continued to stream forward, only for Alex Storey to complete the lads’ turnaround on 38 minutes by finding the net with a header from a corner.
BOLT FROM THE BLUE
The lads’ hard work counted for little in the second period, though, as Wednesday battled back to inflict defeat on Dickman’s development team. Hirst, who opened the scoring for the visitors, made the most of sloppy defending on two occasions to seal his hat-trick while Penney dispatched a superb free-kick to put the crowning glory on a strong second 45 showing.
Next up, Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
Sunderland under-23s starting XI: Stryjek, Taylor (J Robson, 10), Storey, Brotherton, T Robson (Hume, 45), Molyneux, Wright, Allan, Diamond, Hackett, Nelson.