Sunderland under-18s collected their second win in succession on Saturday, coming from behind twice to defeat Stoke City at the Academy of Light.
Here’s how the action unfolded…
THE WRAP
Sunderland secured their first win in the U18 Premier League this season, producing a performance rich in determination and character.
Robbie Dunne levelled early in the second period after Jordan Greenidge had dealt the Black Cats an early blow in the first 45.
Greenidge then clinically doubled the Potters’ lead before Lee Connelly converted from the penalty spot to get the lads back on level terms.
Jack Diamond then sparkled in the closing stages to turn home Ryan Leonard’s cross and hand Sunderland a hard fought three points.
TEAM NEWS
Having featured for Sunderland under-23s this season, Diamond started for Mark Atkinson’s side with last weekend’s hat-trick hero Connelly lining up alongside him. Tenacious forward Dunne also began the afternoon up top for Atkinson’s side as the Black Cats looked to build on last Saturday’s 3-2 victory over West Ham United.
PUNISHED
The Black Cats began on the front foot, moving the ball across midfield well and creating some early chances. But it was the final detail, the all-important moment, that evaded Atkinson’s side as Stoke struck against the run of play. Greenidge, a combative and physical striker, punished Sunderland with 34 minutes on the clock when he powered his way past Rayed Dervali and calmly slotted past Anthony Patterson.
BACK IN IT
Sunderland continued to stream forward but continued to fall afoul of sloppy play in and around the final third, which saw the Potters hold a slender lead at the midway interval. But Atkinson’s side didn’t lose heart and drew level through Dunne. Stoke half cleared their lines to Kane Evans, who was on the edge of the box. His low drive whistled through a crowd of bodies and Dunne pounced to stab the ball home after it fell kindly to him off a number of bodies. The Potters were ruthless once again though, with Greenidge ramming the ball past Patterson to leave Sunderland once again chasing the game.
TWIST IN THE TALE
There was, however, to be a late turn of events when Connelly equalised from the penalty and that sparked the game into life. Patterson was called into action to make a string of important stops, and those stops were made even more important when Diamond netted a winner in stoppage time. Leonard’s cross from the right was inch perfect for Diamond who poked the ball over the line. Three vital points.
Sunderland U18s: Patterson, Howard (McAughtrie, 76), Kokolo, Evans, Dervali (Edmundsson), Young, Kimpioka, Hackett, Dunne, Connelly, Diamond.
Subs: Newman, Devine