Paul Bryson was left lamenting missed opportunities on Saturday after Sunderland under-18s lost 3-2 to Blackburn Rovers at the Academy of Light.
The Black Cats led at the break thanks to Cole Kiernan’s early strike, only for the visitors to score three second-half goals through Jack Vale, Isaac Whitehall and Daniel Pike.
Kiernan’s second from the penalty spot late on gave the hosts hope but Blackburn held on to take home all three points.
The hosts could have found themselves 2-0 ahead moments before being pegged back as Sonny Best spurned a goalscoring opportunity, and Bryson felt the game was decided on such moments.
“If you’re 2-0 up it’s a totally different ball game,” he said.
“We’d get an even bigger lift from going 2-0 up so for me that is the biggest turning point in the game.
“It’s happened for the last couple of weeks, we haven’t been clinical enough and I just thought today was a chance to turn recent draws into wins.”
Bryson was keen to focus on the positives despite the defeat, with striker Kiernan and winger Connor Slack among those receiving special praise.
“Cole Kiernan getting another two goals was a positive,” he continued.
“Andrias Edmundsson played in central midfield, which is a position I’ve been tempted to try as Dan Neil is with the under-23s and Kane Evans has been injured.
“Connor Slack did a great job down the right for us as well, he caused them problems with his strength and pace.”
