Middlesbrough U23 0-0 Sunderland U23
Sunderland under-23s clinched a Premier League 2 point on Teesside this afternoon as they played out a goalless draw with Middlesbrough.
In a game which saw Donald Love make his return to competitive action, there was little to separate the sides despite the Black Cats carving out a host of chances.
Love completed a 90-minute run out at right-back while Owen Gamble also made his return off the bench as he replaced attacking midfielder Jake Hackett in the second 45.
Sunderland began the afternoon well at the Riverside, with Bali Mumba showing his class in the middle as he switched the play from left to right and found Love on the right touchline.
The former Manchester United man controlled well before fizzing a ball towards Benji Kimpioka in the middle only for the Boro stopper to dart off his line and collect.
Hurried, determined and ruthless without the ball, Elliott Dickman’s side worked incredibly hard to press from the front and with eight played it almost paid dividends as Jordan Hunter’s cross from the left was a whisker away from finding Kimpioka leaping in the middle.
Lee Connelly then warmed the hands of the Boro stopper with an in-swinging free-kick from the right before Mitchell Curry carved out a number of openings for the hosts.
Mumba’s effort nine minutes before half-time was the first to really test Brad James, with Hackett later drawing a stop from him in the second period as his deflected effort spun towards goal.
Connelly’s infectious energy then saw James whirl into action as the half wore on before Tyrone O’Neill headed Amadou Sylla’s cross into the grateful gloves of Max Stryjek.
Boro thought they had won it in the closing stage, though. Pat Reading drilled a low effort past Sunderland’s Polish ‘keeper, however, the offside flag came to the rescue to see the Lads’ leave Teesside with a point.
Middlesbrough U23: James, Spence, Wood, Mahmutovic, Reading, Malley, Dale (Sykes, 68), Brahimi, Sylla (Gibson, 67), Curry, O’Neill
Subs not used: Hackney, Hood, Brynn
Sunderland U23: Stryjek, Love, Taylor, Bainbridge, Hunter, Mumba, Neil, Connolly (Kokolo, 58), Connelly, Hackett (Gamble, 71), Kimpioka.
Subs not used: Evans, Johnstone, Young
