Sunderland U18 0-3 Stoke City U18
Sunderland under-18s ended their season with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Stoke City at the Academy of Light.
The Black Cats fell behind eight minutes in when Ethon O’Driscoll-Varian slotted home from close range, before the visitors doubled their advantage via Adam Porter’s 20-yarder after half-time.
Kieran Coates’ 60th minute header all but ensured the result and Stoke held firm to see the Black Cats finish a challenging season bottom of the U18 Premier League.
Sunderland had opportunities to strike first early on, with Sean Kennedy testing Paul Cooper’s reflexes with a curled effort inside three minutes.
Unfortunately for the hosts Stoke hit back harder with their next attack as Pat Jarrett and Soiyir Sanali combined to allow O’Driscoll-Varian to place into the far corner from 15 yards out.
The hosts responded well as Kennedy tested Cooper from a similar position once again but were yet to create the clear chance they needed to level things up.
Ryan Corrigan’s ball across the face of goal came close to causing concern for Adam Richardson if a Stoke man had been on hand to prod home, moments before Harry Ord was alert to clear Mohamed Sankoh’s effort off the line.
Two minutes after the restart the Potters thought they had made it two through Jarrett’s strike from 12 yards, but the offside flag swiftly came to Sunderland’s rescue.
The first-half switch to a back four proved a fruitful one for Paul Bryson’s side in terms of creativity, and they tested Cooper once again after 51 minutes as Ryan Gooch tried his luck from a tight angle on the right-wing.
It proved to be Stoke who would find the net next two minutes later however as Porter’s 20-yard effort rolled through a crowded box and into the far corner.
The visitors added a third moments afterwards when defender Coates rose highest to meet Porter’s cross and head into the far corner of Richardson’s net.
Potters substitute Sam Knowles spurned opportunities to make it four in the final few minutes, and while the Black Cats remained positive in attack it proved to be a step too far as Stoke held firm to keep their clean sheet.
Sunderland U18: Richardson; Howard (c), Miller, Almond, Derbali (Watts, 65’), Ord, Gooch, Smith (Krakue, 68’), Diccico, Wombwell, Kennedy (Best, 45’).
Sub not used: Newman, Baggs.
