Ryhope CW 1-3 Sunderland U23
safc.com’s Sam Lightle reviews the action from Ryhope Recreation Park as Sunderland under-23s secured victory over the Northern League side.
THE WRAP
Jack Diamond and Lee Connelly were on target as Sunderland under-23s edged past Ryhope CW, as the local club marked their 125th anniversary. The Black Cats took the league through Diamond on 28 minutes before Connelly added two to give the visitors a comfortable lead at the break. Ryhope fought back in the second period and managed to reduce the arrears through Matty Weirs.
TEAM NEWS
Tuesday night saw the Black Cats’ Checkatrade Trophy campaign came to an end, following defeat at Sky Bet League One club Doncaster Rovers. Changes were aplenty for the Black Cats, with Robson duo Tommy and Josh featuring in both full-back berths. Williams Kokolo started the night while livewire Jack Diamond started after playing at the Keepmoat 24 hours prior.
TIME TO SHINE
It has already been quite a season for second-year scholar Diamond who has been a regular fixture in the Black Cats’ under-23s squad. Having played and scored for the under-18s also this term, Diamond kept up his pleasing form as he helped get the lads’ noses in front with 28 minutes on the clock. James Ellis carved out the first chance of the game, turning on the edge of the box and then firing towards goal from the edge of the box. James Talbot was equal to the strike but Holme-Jackson and was a fraction away from making contact on the rebound. But Diamond clinically finished to punish the hosts following a sweeping counter-attack off a Ryhope CW corner. Diamond picked a pocket of space outside the area and found the bottom right corner with a precise effort.
AT THE DOUBLE
That turned the match in Sunderland’s favour, with Diamond going close once again. But the Black Cats did make their dominance pay when Connelly scored his first of the evening on 35 minutes. A fox in the box, Connelly, then slotted home before netting his second seven minutes later. The Scotsman halted his run into the box and demanded the ball to be pull-back from the byline. Connelly collected and ensured the Black Cats held a 3-0 lead at the break.
BACK IN IT
Ryhope came out after the break and gave it their all in what was a big occasion for them, as the club celebrated its 125th anniversary. Sunderland crafted the first opening, with Connelly going close to notching his hat-trick only for Lowerson to deny the Scotsman. But the hosts managed to pull one back just after the hour mark, when Weirs turned home a cross from the left. Ryhope continued to plug away, digging deep and doing themselves proud but Sunderland held firm to secure victory.
Ryhope CW: Ball, Riding, Lay, Cox, Cairnes, Davis, Nicholson, Wallace, Trewick, Ellis, Holme-Jackson
Sunderland U23: Talbot, T Robson, J Robson, Storey, Taylor, Allan, Wright, Connelly, Hackett, Diamond, Kokolo