Sunderland Under-23s 1-1 Newcastle United Under-23s
Sunderland Under-23s were held to a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United Under-23s this afternoon.
Josh Hawkes drew first blood early one, but it was quickly cancelled out Adam Wilson’s effort.
After the break, there was little chances for either side, with the ‘keeper’s coming out on top as the Under-23s’ Wear-Tyne derby ended all square at the Academy of Light.
Benji Kimpioka made his first appearance since October due to a hamstring injury, while Remi Matthews also started between the sticks.
Elliott Dickman also included Josh Hawkes in his starting XI after the forward was part of Lee Johnson’s squad to face Rochdale on Saturday.
It was a frantic start on Wearside which Sunderland got the better of as Josh Hawkes sent the Lads ahead inside 10 minutes.
The former Hartlepool man cut inside from the left and curled an effort in off the post, leaving Dan Langley helpless.
But the Magpies responded almost instantly as Matthews’ last-ditch save was parried straight to Wilson, who made no mistake from four yards.
There were little chances for either side with most of the exchanges coming in the centre of the pitch until the 44th minute, when Kimpioka almost marked his return with a goal.
The forward latched onto a through ball, shifted the ball onto his left foot and fired goalwards, only to see it somehow blocked over the bar.
Matthews and Kimpioka were withdrawn at half time as planned for Anthony Patterson and Will Harris, and Sunderland had Patterson to thank for keeping things level 78 minutes in.
He raced off his line to block Elliott Anderson’s effort with the striker bearing down on goal.
Sunderland then had an opportunity of their own just moments from the end, as Patrick Almond prodded just wide from Ellis Taylor’s corner.
The draw keeps Sunderland ahead of the Magpies on goal difference in the Premier League 2, with Wolves up next.
Sunderland: Matthews (Patterson 45’), Trialist, B Taylor, Almond, Wombwell, Hawkes, Wilding, Hackett, E Taylor, Wearne, Kimpioka (Harris 45’
Subs: Beaumont, Chapman, Kelly