Sunderland U23s 2-1 Barnsley U23s
safc.com’s Sam Lightle runs the rule over how Sunderland under-23s fared in their latest pre-season fixture at home to Barnsley this afternoon.
SUMMARY
Sunderland under-23s came from behind to defeat Barnsley and notch their second win in pre-season at the Academy of Light on Friday. After a drab opening, Barnsley looked the more likely to strike first with Max Stryjek the far busier keeper of the two. While Sunderland did well to keep the visitors at bay until half-time, the Tykes flew out the traps in the second period and swiftly went ahead through Romal Palmer. The forward showed great composure to control the ball and turn at the same time before firing past Stryjek. The Black Cats refused to lie down, though, and while they were left frustrated with large parts of their play, steely grit and determination helped them turn the game on its head with a penalty from Ethan Robson and a Benji Kimpioka close-range finish.
STONG XI
Elliott Dickman fielded a strong starting XI in the wake of Tuesday’s defeat at Blyth Spartans. Max Stryjek started between the posts at Hartlepool United earlier in the week but began the afternoon on the showcase pitch at the Academy of Light. Elliot Embleton, Michael Ledger, Tom Beadling, Rees Greenwood and Ethan Robson, who have all been heavily involved in the first-team’s pre-season, also started.
BARN STORMING START
It was the visitors who enjoyed the better of the opening half, incisively slicing their way through Sunderland only to be denied time after time by an inform Stryjek. The Polish under-21s international made a fine double save on the half-hour mark, standing tall to bat away the first attempt from the left before his parry caused for a lightning quick reaction to divert away the follow-up. Barnsley were physical and happy to feed on the Lads’ misplaced passes in the middle of the park as they looked to turn the screw before the break.
SPARKLING DIAMOND
Rees Greenwood limped off on 38 minutes and that made way for the introduction of second-year scholar Jack Diamond. Greenwood had been lively but struggled to have a real impact on the right as Diamond’s arrival provided a fresh impetuous. Within seconds of coming on Diamond surged down the right, getting to the edge of the box and winning a corner as his effort deflected wide. It was a rare ray of sunlight in a tough first period for the Lads which ended with Stryjek once again being called into action as he got down to his right to deny a low cross from the left.
PRESSURE PAYS OFF
Barnsley continued in a similar fashion after the restart, making light work of opening the Black Cats’ resolve with quick one-touch passes into space and down the channels. And eventually their pressure paid its toll. Palmer broke the deadlock on 48 minutes, bringing the ball under control and turning at the same time before finding the bottom right corner of Stryjek’s net. It was nothing more than the visitors deserved after the strong opening they had made in the first period. A response was essential and Andrew Nelson’s work rate came to the floor as he hurriedly chased the ball down with Embleton providing further support. Nelson powered down the left side - his aggressive self - and picked out Diamond who had made an intelligent dart into space. Unfortunately, Diamond’s first touch saw him stun the ball and within a flash the ball was slammed away from the six-yard box.
ALL CHANGE
As expected, changes were aplenty in the second period but it didn’t affect the general ebb and flow of the game too much. Embleton completed a planned 60-minute run out before departing for the energetic Swedish winger Kimpioka. And seconds after that change, Sunderland were level. Nelson stormed into the box and clattered into Barnsley’s stopper leaving with the referee with a decision to make. Without a moment’s thought he pointed to the spot and Robson duly obliged by lashing home from 12 yards to level things up on 62 minutes. Dickman would’ve been pleased but far from delighted as his side struggled to find their groove in a blustery afternoon on Wearside. But just 15 minutes later the Lads completed the turn around, Diamond was industrious as he bullied his way down the left before flashing a ball into Kimpioka who stabbed home to secure victory.
Sunderland U23s: Stryjek, Taylor, Ledger (Josh Robson, 45), Brotherton (Bale, 64), Beadling, Tommy Robson, Embleton (Kimpioka, 60), Greenwood (Diamond, 38), Ethan Robson, Hume (Hackett, 64), Nelson (Allan, 79)