Sunderland U18s 3-2 West Ham United
Lee Connelly scored a hat-trick as Sunderland completed a deserved win over West Ham in today’s U18 Premier League Cup tie at the Academy of Light.
Here’s how the action unfolded at the Academy of Light…
TEAM NEWS
Robbie Dunne line-up at the sharp end of the Black Cats’ attacking line with Connelly while Anthony Patterson remained between the posts for Mark Atkinson’s side. Kane Evans featured at full-back for his first start at the youth team level, with 17-year-old Williams Kokolo occupying the left-wing berth.
FLYING SCOTSMAN
But it was Connelly who got the crowd talking at the Academy of Light after Patterson had produced a string of good saves, which included a composed one-on-one stop before Connelly took to the fore. Following an action packed opening, Sunderland got their noses in front five minutes before the break when full-back Kane Evans swept a cross in from the right and the nimble Scotsman, Connelly, climbed above his marker and forced the ball home with a powerful header.
GOALS, GOALS, GOALS
But West Ham clinically found themselves level when Kordey Henry’s fierce shot found a way past Patterson. Sunderland responded well once again and quickly set about restoring their lead, with both Robbie Dunne and Jordan Hickey going close. Atkinson’s side found themselves in the driving seat and really took the game to their London opponents, as Connelly struck twice in three minutes to seal his hat-trick for the Black Cats. Connelly’s second of the afternoon came in 68th minute when the striker got away down the left and cut in and beat West Ham keeper Rihards Matbevics at his near post. Minutes later, the frontman rounded off a memorable afternoon of goalscoring action when he kept his cool to round the keeper.
ONE BACK
Sunderland’s efforts had seen them gain some daylight against their opponents, but with 15 minutes left on the clock West Ham set up a grandstand finish when sub Louis Watson slotted home Patterson’s parry. But Atkinson’s side refused to sit back after seeing their two-goal cushion slashed in half, and Connelly would’ve added to the scoreline had his effort not been cleared off the line. Jordan Hickey was later sent off for the Black Cats as they ended the match with 10 men.
Sunderland U18s: Patterson, Evans, Williams (McAughtrie 67), Scothern, Edmundsson, Young, Leonard (Kimpioka 75), Hickey, Dunne (Devine 86), Hackett, Connelly.