Sunderland U23 0-1 Manchester United U23
Safc.com’s Sam Lightle provides an update on the action from Eppleton Colliery Welfare.
THE WRAP
Demetri Mitchell’s second-half penalty proved to be enough for Manchester United to defeat Sunderland in the Premier League 2 on Sunday.
In a game of few chances, Mitchell broke the deadlock inside the opening minutes of the second period after being fouled by Owen Gamble.
The full-back dusted himself down and made no mistake from 12 yards, sending stopper Michael Woud the wrong way to seal three points.
TEAM NEWS
Elliott Dickman has named a strong line-up to face Manchester United, with Rees Greenwood back in the starting XI on the left wing while Sunderland’s match-winner at Everton last Friday, Luke Molyneux, featured on the right. Joel Asoro led the line, with Elliot Embleton lying just behind him. Skipper Tom Beadling and Brandon Taylor formed the base of the Black Cats’ defence and Adam Bale and Ethan Robson provided a protective shield in front of them.
ALL QUIET IN ATTACK
The first-half was anything but a classic. Both sides became quickly embroiled in a disciplined, resolute battle, with very little to tell between the two teams at the break. Sunderland fought hard but struggled to get out of their own half in the first few minutes as United pressed and harried from the front. The Black Cats were steady, calculated in their approach and began to make tracks up field when Embleton’s intricate wizardry on the ball looked to open United up. His three crosses caused havoc among the United rear-guard as Kieran O’Hara unconvincingly opted to punch clear, with Joel Asoro and Robson sensing blood.
TIGHT AFFAIR
United got to grips with the brunt of Sunderland’s attack and worked their way back into the match as the first period neared its conclusion. Charlie Scott dragged a tame effort across goal, giving stopper Michael Woud plenty of chance to get down to his left and then Indy Boonen should’ve done better when he stabbed the ball over as it flashed in from the right.
SLUGGISH START
United picked up where they left off at the end of the first 45, quickly pinning Sunderland back and forcing the issue on the host. And they didn’t have to wait long to be gifted an opening, Owen Gamble’s rash challenge on the surging Demetri Mitchell sent the full-back tumbling. Mitchell dusted himself down and sent Woud the wrong way from 12 yards. The next 10 minutes saw the Black Cats return to controlling the ebb and flow of the match, without creating much.
CHANGE OF ATTACK
Jack Diamond replaced Greenwood on the hour mark and the under-18s’ involvement sparked real life into the Black Cats’ attack. Suddenly the chances rained in for the lads as bright sun broke through, Bale slipped Gamble down the right inside channel and the full-back skipped inside, past his man and then stung O’Hara’s gloves. Moments later, Diamond fizzed an effort wide from the opposite side before Denver Hume’s lung-bursting run lacked an end product after he had done so well to dart to the byline.
TO THE END
Sundelrand fought, pressed and harried to the final whistle as Embleton’s effort lacked conviction. Meanwhile, United had an answer for every attack that crashed against their backline.
Sunderland U23: Woud, Gamble (T Robson, 76), Hume, Bale (Hackett, 71), Taylor, Beadling, Molyneux, E Robson, Asoro, Embleton, Greenwood (Diamond, 61)
Sub: Storey, Patterson
Manchester United U23: O’Hara, Riley, Mitchell, Ercolani, Williams, Sang, Dearnley, Scott (Buffonge, 86), Boonen, Whelan, Kehinde
Subs: Tanner, Johnstone, Hamilton, Bohui