Sunderland put in a great team effort to reach the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup by beating holders Liverpool 5-3 after extra time at the Stadium of Light. In the early stages of the game, the Liverpool goalkeeper Bouzanis was twice forced to clear poor back passes and the second almost proved costly as it narrowly evaded the on rushing Waghorn.

Sunderland started to assume control, after a tentative start by both teams, but were initially wasteful of their chances with first Henderson and then captain Jack Colback blasting over the bar.

Midway through the first period, the Lads opened the scoring when following an over-hit free kick, Henderson returned the ball from the left to the far post where Joe Cornforth, nephew of former player John, had the simple task of heading home into an open net.

Six minutes later the Lads doubled their lead when Waghorn ran at the Liverpool defence, spread the ball out to Nathan Luscombe, on the left, and Nath played a clever ball inside to Jordan Cook, who stroked the ball home. Just after the half hour mark, Cook and then Luscombe both hit 25 yarders but found Bouzanis equal to them.

It took until 37 minutes was on the clock before the visitors had a real strike at goal but Staples saved easily. Shortly before the end of the half, Henderson hit another trade mark 25 yarder but Bouzanis saved low to his left. The Lads finished the half well on top, with the visitors having to resort to chopping down the likes of Waghorn to keep a toe hold in the game.

H/T: 2-0

However, if the Lads thought they had it sewn up, they were in for a rude awakening when the visitors sprinted out of their blocks and grabbed two quick goals early in the second half.

On 48 minutes, a long ball from defence played through the middle of our two centre backs caught us flat and Staples rushed out and collided with their striker to concede a penalty whilst getting booked into the bargain. Nathan Ecclestone converted from the spot sending Staples the wrong way and just three minutes later, it was all level when Marvin Pourie poked the ball into the bottom left hand corner. Two minutes later McArdle had an effort cleared off the line after a good corner from Jordan Henderson.

On 72 minutes Waghorn restored the Lad’s lead, racing on to a pass after good work from Luscombe and coolly finished despite being under pressure from three Liverpool defenders. Nath’s pass to Cook should have seen the latter increase the advantage soon after but he shot straight into keeper hands when unmarked on the penalty spot.

Pool restored parity for the second time in the game just five minutes later when Pacheco burst through and as the Lads claimed in vain for an offside flag the youngster converted the chance.

Threes-apiece at the whistle meant extra time was required. Three minutes in McArdle found himself in yet another good goal scoring position but looked every inch a defender in foreign territory as he blasted over whilst inside the six yard box.

Wags grabbed his second of the match a minute before the end of the first period, taking the ball on his chest before walloping a great volley past the Liverpool keeper for the goal of the game. Substitute Ryan Noble finally made the match safe five minutes from the end of extra time when he slotted home after good work from Henderson and Colback.

Sunderland play their first away tie of this season’s competition against the winners of the Charlton Athletic and Swindon Town tie. Last night our ‘senior’ reserves failed to match a young but talented Liverpool side but without the services of the likes of Colback, Henderson, Waghorn and Luscombe et al, who were saved for this match. Tonight our youths overcame Pool’s talented youth side with those players. Indicative perhaps, intriguing definitely. Well done Bally and the Lads.

Full Time: Sunderland Youths 5-3 Liverpool Youths

Sunderland: Staples, Kay, Liddle, McArdle, Hourihane, Cornforth Colback, Henderson (Brown), Cook (Ryan Noble), Waghorn, Luscombe

Man of the Match: The whole squad for a great team performance despite having to play 11 reds and a referee who presumably must have been Scouse - for the second night running

Attendance: 1712

Facts by: Michael Hall, Words by: Dov