Blyth Spartans 3-2 Sunderland U23s
safc.com’s Sam Lightle analyses all the action as it unfolded at Croft Park as Sunderland under-23s suffered their second defeat in pre-season.
SUMMARY
Three goals in six second-half minutes from newly-promoted National League North side Blyth Spartans saw them overcome Sunderland under-23s at Croft Park on Tuesday. Rees Greenwood had originally given the Black Cats a first-half advantage, combining well with Ethan Robson before confidently rolling the ball part Spartans’ stopper. But it was all change after the restart, David McTiernan lashing home a six-minute hat-trick to turn the match on its head and give Blyth full control. Elliot Embleton reduced the arrears from the penalty spot with 14 minutes left on the clock but it proved too little too late and Dickman’s side slipped to defeat.
CLOCKING MORE MINUTES
Elliott Dickman mentioned in his pre-match notes that the fixture would be used to give some first-team faces the chance to get 90 minutes in their legs. And with that in mind it was no surprise that Greenwood, Embleton, (Ethan) Robson, Tom Beadling and Michael Ledger featured at Croft Park. The quintet have been heavily involved in Simon Grayson’s preparations since the Lads returned for pre-season at the end of June, and the gaffer thought it would be wise to send them to Blyth so he could give some of his players the chance to get further minutes in the tank at Victoria Park as well.
ON THE MONEY
Sunderland under-23s were up against it for most of the opening 30 minutes, with Dan Maguire, Robbie Dale and Sean Reid all going close to giving their newly-promoted opposition the lead. Dickman’s side did well to temper that, though, and managed to turn the tide on the half-hour mark when Robson slipped Greenwood in behind. The winger seized upon the ball in a flash and made no mistake as he bore down on goal.
BLYTH AT THE TREBLE
Greenwood’s goal gave Sunderland a half-time lead, but the hosts made light work of overcoming that after the restart. Former Whitby Town midfielder McTiernan scored three quickfire goals - all from close range – to give Alun Armstrong’s side a deserved lead. Embleton got one back from the penalty spot to give the Black Cats youngsters some hope but the Spartans held on to secure their first pre-season win.
Blyth Spartans: Trialist, Hutchinson, I Watson, Reid, Buddle, J Watson, Rivers, McTiernan, Maguire, Trialist, Dale
Subs: Mullen, Hooks, Laidler, Liddle, Trialist
Sunderland under-23s starting XI: Woud, J Robson, T Robson, Embleton, Ledger, Beadling, Diamond, E Robson, Nelson, Greenwood, Kimpioka
Subs: Patterson, Taylor, Wright, Hume, Allan
Attendance: 558