Sam Lightle runs the rule over the youth team’s latest Premier League display on Wearside.
THE WRAP
Sunderland under-18s issued the perfect response against Blackburn Rovers last weekend when they soared to victory.
The Black Cats raced into an early lead with just two minutes on the clock, Australian central defender Jacob Young netting.
Starlet Jack Diamond then doubled the lads’ advantage before Swedish international Benji Kimpioka scored his second goal in as many games to send the hosts into the midway interval with a 3-0 lead.
Blackburn got one back early in the second period but Tom Howard restored the lads’ three-goal cushion to leave youth team boss Mark Atkinson delighted display.
The result moves Sunderland onto seven points from as many games with a trip to Manchester United up next in the U18 Premier League.
SCENESETTER
A response. That was the aim. Mark Atkinson drilled it into his players in the week leading up to the match that his players must issue a response to back-to-back defeats which had seen the lads concede 11 times. A heavy defeat at Manchester City ended a two-game winning run before the October international break and then last weekend defeat at home to Everton brought further frustration. However, the Rovers fixture provided the chance for redemption. And Atkinson was bold with his team selection, handing 15-year-old Bali Mumba his start first start.
OFF TO A FLIER
Following an intense week’s training, Atkinson was beaming with just two minutes on the clock when Australian defender Young put the lads in front. Diamond sparkled down the wing and his floated corner from the left invited Young to meet it and power home. Off to a flier. There was no let-up in the Black Cats’ armoury, impressively slipping through the gears as Diamond turned from provider to finisher to double the lads’ lead on 27 minutes. Swedish winger Kimpioka turned on the burners and breezed past his man with a dancing run through the middle. Kimpioka picked out Diamond and the 17-year-old struck a thunderous effort beyond the stopper.
THREE UP!
The youth team were flying, playing with a real bit between their teeth as wave after wave of attack continued to crash against the Rovers rear guard. Two minutes after netting a second, it was 3-0 – with Diamond and Kimpioka combining once again to devastating effect. Diamond fed the Swedish starlet, who composed himself before picking a spot which stopper Matthew Campbell couldn’t get to.
IN THE SECOND 45
It was the perfect half for Sunderland. Atkinson couldn’t have asked for any more of his team as they waltzed their way into a controlling position at the midway interval. Rovers were much improved in the second period and managed to pull one back when Ben Paton’s header beat Anthony Patterson with 80 minutes played. But the lads were determined, resolute and hard working in all areas without the ball. And their efforts were rewarded again when Howard crashed home an effort from inside the area to seal the lads’ second domestic league win of the season.
Sunderland U18s: Patterson, Evans, Kokolo, Hickey, Derbali, Young, Kimpioka, Mumba (, 71), Connelly (Dunne, 57) Hackett (Howard, 82). Diamond.Subs not used: Woud, Best.