South Shields 3-4 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland AFC opened their 2023 pre-season schedule with an entertaining 4-3 victory at South Shields.
Summer signing Hemir led the line and the former Benfica striker opened his account after the home side edged in front, with Jack Clarke on the scoresheet twice in the second half after Paul Blackett struck for a second time.
Dillon Morse made it 3-3 heading into the final stages, but 16-year-old Chris Rigg ensured a winning start with an unstoppable finish from inside the box.
A combative start to the encounter provided the perfect test for Tony Mowbray’s side, with the pace of play ensuring the Lads had to be on top of their game.
Mesmerising play from Clarke saw the winger clip the crossbar after taking on the Shields defence, but the home side opened the scoring from close range with 26 minutes played.
Abdoullah Ba fired over and Clarke struck the woodwork again before the interval, with Hemir also going close as the Mariners came under increasing pressure.
Mowbray’s men remained in charge following the restart and they levelled with 48 minutes on the clock, as summer signing Hemir headed home Isaac Lihadji’s floated cross.
Lynden Gooch slammed an effort off target soon after, but Shields retook the lead against the run of play through Blackett’s second of the afternoon.
Clarke converted from close range to immediately level and following a host of changes on the hour mark, youngster Trei Ogunsuyi struck the post.
A quickfire break resulted in a third for the Lads on 73 minutes, as Clarke whipped a simple finish beyond the ‘keeper after a squared pass from Ba.
Shields continued to battle and they were rewarded when Morse struck to make it 3-3, but Rigg had the final say as the Lads started with a win at the First Cloud Arena.
Sunderland AFC: Patterson (Richardson 74), Gooch (Kindon 74), Crompton (Lavery 60), O'Nien (Beattie 74), Taylor (Pye 60), Matete (Burke 74), Ekwah (Rigg 60), Lihadji (Ogunsuyi 60), Ba (Mitchell 74), Clarke (Tutierov 74), Hemir (Spellman 60).