Sunderland U23s 1-1 Hull City U23s
Luke Molyneux scored a late equaliser on his return to action, as Sunderland under 23s ended their 2017-18 Premier League Cup campaign with draw against Hull City at Eppleton CW.
Elliott Dickman’s side bossed the opening period of the game but they were unable to find a way past the Tigers, and with 55 minutes played they were punished.
Keane Lewis-Potter grabbed what looked like being the match-winner, a simple finish at the back post after Max Stryjek came and missed a free-kick into the box.
But there was a late twist, as Molyneux slotted home with six minutes remaining to clinch a more that deserved draw.
UNDERWAY
Sunderland pressed high in the opening stages as Elliot Embleton started in an advanced position alongside Connor Shields, with Jack Diamond on the left and Lee Connelly on the right. The Black Cats unsettled the visitors and refused to let them build up a head of steam, but they too were stunted in the final third as a midfield battle ensued. The first opening fell to Diamond on 10 minutes, but after crafting the space to shoot he hesitated, and the Tigers blocked his 20-yard strike.
BLACK CATS IN CHARGE
A moment of panic followed for Will Mannion as the Hull stopper took his eye off Jake Hackett’s standard drive, but the stopper recovered just in time and managed to gather the ball just as it threatened to squirm over the line. Hull then spurned their first opening, as a long ball looped over the Lads defence and found its way through to Deon Moore who lifted the ball well wide. And the forward wasted another opening before the break, as a poor touch ensured a premature end to a clear run at goal.
TIGERS POUNCE
Dickman made a change at the interval as Benji Kimpioka replaced Shields, and the Swedish winger showed some nice early touches to settle into the game. At the other end, Brendan Galloway marshalled the defence and continued to put in an assured performance, as Moore remained a threat and provided a real handful. Efforts peppered the Hull backline on 52 minutes as the Lads started to turn the screw once again, but they were caught cold three minutes later as Stryjek came and missed a free-kick, and Lewis-Potter bagged at the back post.
BACK WITH A BANG
Sunderland continued to see lots of the ball but Hull remained strong at the back, and they almost doubled their lead on 67 minutes. A floated ball to the back post found Moore and the striker’s bullet header soared towards the top corner, but Stryjek pulled a stunning save out of the bag to atone for his earlier error. Soon after, the Black Cats were handed a boost as Luke Molyneux returned to action following a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and he returned with a bang, netting a late equaliser to ensure it was honours even at Eppleton CW.
Sunderland under-23s: Stryjek, J Robson, Hume, Gamble, Storey, Galloway, Connelly (Molyneux 68), Hackett, Shields (Kimpioka 45), Embleton, Diamond.
Subs: Taylor, Talbot, Brotherton.