Sunderland U23 1-1 Stoke City
Sunderland Under-23s secured a place in the Premier League 2 second division play-offs after a 1-1 draw with Stoke City at the Academy of Light.
Josh Hawkes’ free kick put the young Lads ahead with six minutes to play, before Tom Sparrow immediately equalised for the visitors – however, Elliott Dickman’s side stood firm to consolidate the crucial point.
The draw sees us leapfrog Middlesbrough into fifth spot, setting up another contest with second-placed Stoke down in Staffordshire for a one-legged play-off semi-final. Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Crystal Palace in the second semi-final, with dates to be confirmed.
The match began in cagey fashion but chances gradually started to flow, as Hawkes fired a strike off-balance just wide and Will Harris’ side-footed shot was kept out by Robbie Hemfrey in the Potters’ goal.
Hemfrey then got two strong palms behind a shot from the Trialist in the Black Cats side, who put in a very encouraging performance – Dan Neil working excellently to win the ball back before sliding it through for him.
Stoke’s only attempts before the break came in the shape of an Eddie Jones free kick just wide, and a volley just past the post from D’Margio Wright-Phillips – son of former England winger Shaun.
After the break, Anthony Patterson was called into his first notable action as he denied Christian Norton, who later on hit the outside of the post for the visitors.
Neil then headed over the top from Hawkes’ corner delivery as the Lads looked to break the deadlock, before Harris struck the crossbar following another terrific Hawkes pass and a well-taken first touch.
With just six minutes on the clock, a foul on the advancing Neil by Connor Taylor momentarily had the Black Cats thinking a penalty would be awarded, but the referee adjudged the challenge to be just outside the area. But this would matter little to Hawkes, who curled it excellently around the wall and into the bottom corner to give us a crucial lead.
It looked to be a nervy last few minutes forced on the Lads by Stoke, who immediately levelled through a firm hit from Sparrow inside the area. Elliott Dickman’s side had to remain resolute and did just that to claim the vital required point, with a third successive meeting with the Potters to come.
SUNDERLAND: Patterson; Richardson, Younger, Flanagan (Almond 46’), Vokins (Hackett 71’); Wilding, Wearne; Hawkes, Neil ©, Trialist; Harris.
Subs not used: Richardson, B. Taylor, Trialist.