The final match of Sunderland under-18s’ season sees them face West Bromwich Albion at the Academy of Light this Saturday.
Here’s all the details you need to know ahead of the match…
Location: Academy of Light (Showcase pitch)
Time: 11am
Competition: U18 Premier League
LAST TIME OUT
Sunderland under-18s were made to endure their first defeat in four matches last Saturday when they fell to defeat at Middlesbrough. Basking in bright sunshine, Rockliffe Park played host to the second meeting between the young Black Cats and Boro in just five days after playing out a 1-1 draw at the Academy of Light last Tuesday. But unlike on Tuesday, Boro secured three points as Nathan Guru handed the hosts the advantage after 17 minutes. Then just ten minutes later it was 2-0 as Boro gained a strong grip on the match – Hayden Hackney applied the finish which proved to be enough to seal all the points.
HOW THINGS STAND
Victory for either side this weekend will do little to change their league position in the final weekend of fixtures. Sunderland sit seventh and three points off Derby County in sixth. However, for the lads to move above the Rams they would need an 11 goal swing. West Bromwich Albion, meanwhile, lie one place below the Black Cats in the table, but four adrift of them and three clear of Newcastle United.
MARK ATKINSON SAYS
“We gave the lads some time off at the start of the week because it has been a really intense few weeks. We wanted to fresh them up for our final match of the season because you could see certainly one or two of them looking tired. The under-16s game is different and we have been looking to get a few more faces settled in recently so it gives them a taste of what to expect going forward. Jack (Newman) has been chucked in, in difficult circumstances but has done really well. The lads are justified in being picked but that has to continue.”
CAN I WATCH?
Tomorrow’s match will be played behind closed doors at the Academy of Light. Updates will be provided on the club’s official Twitter page, @SunderlandAFC.
