Fulham U23 2-0 Sunderland AFC U23
Sunderland Under-23s suffered defeat on Friday afternoon in Premier League 2 action, going down to two quickfire goals from runaway league leaders Fulham at Motspur Park.
Kieron Bowie and Ollie O’Neill struck in the 42nd and 44th minutes respectively after the Lads had weathered somewhat of a storm in the first half, with Fulham thwarted by resolute defending from the side after the break.
The young Lads were overseen by U18 lead coach John Hewitson for the contest in South-West London, with Mike Dodds and Michael Proctor set to take interim charge of first-team matters on Saturday against Doncaster Rovers at the Stadium of Light.
Benji Kimpioka captained the side as he did on Monday evening at Eppleton against Nottingham Forest, with scholars Zak Johnson, Caden Kelly and Henry Fieldson all starting. Harrison Sohna, Tyrese Dyce and Ethan Kachosa were also among the starting players.
The game’s first chance saw Jacob Carney do well to beat away a shot from Jay Stansfield, before Bowie struck the post midway through the first half.
Bowie did find the opener three minutes before the break, netting from close-range after Carney denied Sonny Hilton.
And then O’Neill capitalised on a defensive error of judgement for Sunderland by rolling in Fulham’s second.
Steve Wigley’s side showed their table-topping quality to manage out the game in the second half, calming the tempo and going closest through O’Neill’s header off target.
The hosts have now won 16 of their 19 league games this season; the young Lads next face off in 10 days’ time, facing Wigan Athletic in a decisive Premier League Cup group stage finale.
SUNDERLAND AFC U23: Carney; Johnson, Jessup (Trialist A 73’), Fieldson, Newall (Trialist B 85’); Sohna, Scott; Kachosa, Kelly, Dyce (Gyimah 85’); Kimpioka ©.
Subs not used: McIntyre.