The Darlington Northern Echo arena, up there with the worst grounds to visit in the country. Partly because it’s located on a Greenfield site next to Darlington's A66 bypass , partly because it’s had about six different names, but mainly because it boasts around twenty thousand visible empty seats every home game.

Despite this it was the momentous location for Sunderland to begin their pre season campaign. It was also Steve Bruce’s first game in charge.

We stepped outside the ALS towers at 4pm to discover that the heavens had opened on us and by the time we had set off the rain was even heavier. I sat on the coach preparing myself to sell A Love Supreme in the pouring rain, whilst trying to refrain from looking like a miserable sod. Soon enough we were stuck in traffic. Nightmare.

However, thanks to a slick detour from the coach driver, we made our way down a scenic route leading us to the ground. Much to our fortune, the stadium had not been rained on whatsoever. Things were looking up and we soon found ourselves engaging in some friendly banter with the delightful Darlington programme sellers. It was chitchat on our part, although the two young girls informed us on how they were going to knock our lights out.

Soon discovering that this was how they roll in Darlington, we got selling and eventually made it to our seats. We had kicked off late at 7:48 due to traffic problems. Steve Bruce started with Carson in goal, Bardo, McCartney, Ferdinand and Collins at the back. In midfield we had Malbranque, Leadbitter, Henderson and Reid. Rico was playing just behind Healy, who was alone up front. The opening exchanges provided little to get excited about. We looked alright down the right wing but created little.

Bardo stuck a good shot from Richardson’s cross and managed to skim the cross bar though. After twenty minutes, we were evidently dominating, just struggling to find a break through. It was coming though and five minutes later we scored in the most fortunate of circumstances. Reid’s averagely struck shot/cross deflected off a defender and into the back of the net. Get in. Our fans were hardly euphoric; but it was nice to be winning. All of a sudden we were two nil up; another run of the mill cross from Reid was fumbled by their keeper, leaving Rico the chance to put it away from six yards out.

After I had eaten my cold, but expensive pie, the second half got under way. Bruce made loads of substitutions leaving only Collins, Henderson and Carson on the pitch. Step forward Nozza, McShane, Russell Anderson, Edwards, Jack Colback, David Meyler, Stokes and Waggy. As the rain poured down in the humdrum stadium Sunderland looked a bit livelier with Waghorn firing shots at goal. Moments later we scored again. Paul McShane of all people decided he was the best player in the world by sticking in a header from a Carlos Edwards corner. Three nil.

O’Donovan came on for Henderson and then Darlington missed a rare chance themselves. Soon after the now prolific goal scorer, Paul McShane, limped off injured. Steve Bruce refrained from using his final sub. The atmosphere had picked up a bit and everyone has happy, apart from the disgruntled, over weight steward who insisted in staring at innocent supporters for ninety minutes.

After eighty six minutes O’Donovan scored our fourth and final goal. All in all, Sunderland coasted to an easy victory, hardly being tested at all. However it was good to give the squad a run out and for Steve Bruce to see what his players can do.

Final Score: 0-4

ALS Man Of The Match: Danny Collins

Joe Martin

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