The Ressies lost their unbeaten start to the season at Eppleton CW’s ground as they succumbed to a 3v1 reverse against Manchester’s only proper club in the FA Premier Reserve League.

Clinical finishing was the crucial difference between the two sides as both sides went into the game with the same record of played two, won one, drawn one.

Sunderland’s first flowing move in a bright opening by both sides came on five minutes when Harte sprayed a lovely cross field ball to Waghorn who returned passes with Weir before splaying the ball just wide of the far upright with the outside of his left boot from 15 yards.

Chances were being created at both ends but it was Ched Evans who opened the scoring for Kenny Jackett’s team in the 12 th minute after good work by Grimes and Etuhu - yes Dicka’s brother or should that be ‘bro’? I’m too old to know.

Ten minutes later, Evans got his and City’s second as Sunderland’s centre backs failed to get tight to their men again and he shot powerfully past Carson from the right hand side of the box.

The deficit brought the lads to life and Kavanagh’s powerful free kick moments later just cleared the cross bar. Another free kick three minutes later from the opposite side of the box saw deadball specialist Harte draw a good save from City keeper Richard Martin who just managed to parry the ball round the post for a corner kick.

As the half progressed, Dennehy exerted more influence on the match with foraging runs, good hold up play and some excellent crossing. Just after the half hour mark, his mazy run almost allowed Weir through but Dowson’s attempted back heel flick was just intercepted by the Blue’s back line.

Moments later, Dowson was extremely unlucky to be adjudged to have fouled the keeper when it looked as if he had only collided with the keeper because he was shoved by his marker as he threatened the City goal. Another day perhaps we could have had a penalty, but then again we’re Sunderland and we don’t get many of them.

H/T 0v2

Half time presented us with, on the down side, the chance to be supper for the swarm clouds of midges the likes of which I haven’t seen before this side of Helsinki but on the up side gave us welcome respite from Man City’s travelling one man support who somehow managed to out shout hundreds of home fans put together. Fair play to him, even though I did have to O.D. on asprin when I got home.

Ten minutes after the break, Sunderland got a lifeline back into the game. Henderson produced good work down the right and after being unceremoniously chopped down, he and Harte combined to set up the resultant free kick for Dennehy to shoot home from 20 yards. Colback replaced Kavanagh.

However, the Welshman, Evans restored the two goal lead to claim his hat-trick against the run of play on 66 minutes shooting low and hard under Carson who may have hoped to have done better after getting a hand to the shot. I’m not sure whether Evans would have got the match ball, however, given the number of balls lost out of the ground during the course of the match he may have had to search the car park for one.

Pelter, who has just signed a 12 month contract with the lads, replaced Donoghue. Evans could have grabbed a fourth but Carson, not once but twice in quick succession, dived bravely at his feet to keep some respectability in the scoreline.

Hartley rounded off a disappointing display by being booked for either a poor shove in the chest of Evans when it looked like the latter might break through or perhaps for then petulantly kicking the ball away after the whistle had been blown for the initial foul.

The last of the lad’s chances fell to the homeside’s man of the match, Dennehy, who shot narrowly wide after excellent interplay from Colback .

Thumbs up: to Man of the Match Billy Dennehy, and Jack Colback who looked like he’d played at this level all his life when he came on as a sub.

Thumbs down: Centre backs struggling to do the basics, rarely first to the ball, rarely tight enough, and out powered & out paced.

Disappointment of the Night: City’s Adam Clayton not being involved enough for me to churn out a load of crap U2 puns. So cruel.

Full Time: Sunderland Reserves 1 v 3 Manchester City Reserves

Sunderland: Carson, Weir, Harte, Hartley, Donoghue (Pelter), Kavanagh (Colback), Henderson, Chandler, Dowson, Waghorn, Dennehy. Subs unused: Luscombe, Cook, Kay

Man of the Match: Billy Dennehy

Dov