The lads ran out comfortable and deserved winners in a 3v0 victory over Bolton Wanderers Reserves to claim their third win of the season.

A strong home side included the experience of Ian Harte, Greg Halford, David Connolly and Darren Ward, whilst the Trotters also boasted three full internationals in the form of former England goalkeeper Ian Walker, Slovakian Lubomir Michalik and Iranian Andrani Teimourian in addition to regular first teamer Nicky Hunt.

Whilst the Sunderland personnel were familiar, their positions varied from their recent reserve roles. Michael Kay and David Dowson took up unfamiliar roles in centre of defence and wide right midfield respectively, whilst Robbie Weir was restored to his more accustomed central midfield role.

The first period was played almost exclusively in the central third of the field albeit still an enjoyable game to watch. Bolton’s American youngster Johann Smith should have done better with the game’s opening effort but blazed over from Basham’s excellent through ball, as the latter dictated the early play from deep midfield.

Ian Harte had the Lad’s best effort of the first half, on 15 minutes, when his free kick clipped the top of the crossbar after Connolly had been fouled just outside the box. Hartey was lucky not to be booked five minutes later when he chopped down Smith – if only the referee had been in charge at the Emirates on Sunday.

Other than two O’Donovan efforts and a left foot shot from just outside the box by Halford clear cut chances were at a premium and the half finished goalless.

Half Time: 0-0

Billy Dennehy who had an unusually off colour first half was replaced by Michael Liddle in a straight swap on the left hand side of midfield at the start of the second half.

The opening goal came shortly before the hour mark when Greg Halford’s lovely threaded pass was delivered with so much disguise it may as well have had a pair of dark glasses and a moustache Wigan Warriors rugby team would have been proud of, and Roy O’Donovan ran through to slot home from eight yards.

Captain for the evening Jake Richardson, was replaced by Jack Colback and the indefatigable David Connolly was replaced by Martyn Waghorn.

Bolton’s ‘other’ Slovakian Zoltan Harsanyi then went on a Giggs-like mazy run half the length of the pitch leaving defenders lying in his wake only to get within two yards of a gaping goal and chose to cut the ball back to precisely nobody. It was to prove a costly mistake, as within three minutes his defensive colleagues were culpable for hauling Dowson down inside the box and the referee finally decided to give the Lads a penalty at the third time of asking. Hartey took the resultant spot kick and gave Walker no chance, placing it low and hard to the keeper’s right.

Arguably the best move of the match came in the 75 th minute when a long ball out of defence sent O’Donovan scurrying down the left wing and his pinpoint cross was meet crisply by the on rushing Waghorn, only for his excellent shot to hit the post and bounce to safety. Unlucky.

The scoring was competed a minute from time when Halford’s long range pass (if you’re being kind) or huge clearance (if you’re not) found the extremely impressive Colback in an advanced position and his excellent hold up play allowed the ever eager Liddle to steam into the box and send a text book header down into the turf to loop up and over the on rushing keeper and defender but (Kenwyn please take note) into the back of the net.

Full time: 3-0

At risk of being almost gushing in my praise for an excellent team display, thumbs up have to go to: The youngsters who played out of position but showed good discipline sticking to their unfamiliar roles (namely Kay, Dowson and Liddle). Peter Hartley who along with other defensive players, I’ve been critical of earlier this season but who was transformed tonight by getting tighter, more decisive & aggressive and notably more vocal throughout the match and deserved to be handed the armband when Richardson was substituted. David Connolly who for all his years of experience and achievements ran himself into the ground like an 18 year old and was an example to all of the youngsters on and off the pitch. Jack Colback who had he not come on so late in the game could well have stolen the man of the match award away from my get out of jail free card of ‘the entire team’. Last but not least Greg Halford who visibly grew (if that’s possible when you’re already six foot twenty nine) after he had set up O’Donovan’s goal, and for his incredible throw ins which are sometimes so huge they completely change the angle of attack in a single move. Well done the Lads.

Full Time: Sunderland Reserves 3 - 0 Bolton Wanderers Reserves

Sunderland : Ward, Halford, Harte, Hartley, Kay, Weir, Dowson, Richardson (Colback), O’Donovan, Connolly (Waghorn), Dennehy (Liddle). Subs unused: Henderson, Carson,

Man of the Match: The entire team for their work ethic (ok so I bottled it)

Dov