Sunderland AFC U23 0-1 West Bromwich Albion U23
Sunderland Under-23s were edged out by West Bromwich Albion on Monday night, as a 50/50 contest saw the Baggies net the decisive goal in the second half at Eppleton.
Quevin Castro cast the crucial blow 11 minutes into the second half, as the Lads passed up occasional but genuine chances.
Jacob Carney was impressive in the Sunderland goal when called upon, making a string of fine saves to deny Albion both before and after they found the lead.
Three trialists featured for the full 90 minutes for the Lads – two of them combining with first-year scholar duo Zak Johnson and Henry Fieldson as the second half’s back four after Cameron Jessup’s precautionary half-time injury withdrawal.
Ellis Taylor returned from injury to captain the side and lead the line, with Benji Kimpioka, Tyrese Dyce (both ankle) and Nathan Newall (hamstring) all sidelined.
The first two chances fell to the visitors, in quick succession from Rico Richards as the first sailed off target and the second was thwarted by a strong hand from Carney with Richards through on goal.
Trialist C – playing on the left-hand side for the Lads on the night – looked lively throughout and hit the post with Sunderland’s first clear-cut chance, having received a tidy through-ball from Taylor.
Ethan Kachosa on the opposite flank was as ever eager to get forward, and was denied by a block from Cianole Nguepissi after Caden Kelly had played him in.
Albion turned the screw after the break and Carney had to be alert once more, tipping over Jamie Andrews’ header, but four minutes later the West Midlands side did open the scoring.
A set-play could not be fully cleared by the Lads, and Castro found space on the edge of the area in a central position to drill a low strike into the bottom-left corner for 1-0.
As the hosts threatened a response, Kelly once again looked to find Kachosa who was making a darting run to meet his low ball across the six-yard box, just finding it going begging.
Taylor then diverted a Kachosa pass wide with a first-time shot, before a counter from West Brom saw Trialist B – a teenage centre-half featuring in his first game on trial – deny Tom Fellows with a vital, well-timed tackle inside the box.
Try as Sunderland might, Albion just did enough to see out the result – Ted Cann in the visitors’ goal claimed Kachosa’s left-footed strike, whilst a last-gasp free-kick in injury time from Kelly dipped inches past the post.
The young Lads will now look to recuperate and come back stronger, once again at Eppleton, against Stoke City next Monday in more Premier League 2 action.
SUNDERLAND AFC U23: Carney; Johnson, Trialist B, Jessup (Fieldson 46’), Trialist A; Sohna, Scott; Kachosa, Kelly, Trialist C; Taylor ©.
Subs not used: A. Richardson, Gyimah, Gardiner, Jones.