A youthful Sunderland side beat Manchester United Under 21s 2-1 in the Papa John’s Trophy on Wednesday evening at the SOL. Sunderland took the lead early in the second half through a fine finish from Tyrese Dyce which was cancelled out by an equally spectacular goal from Zidane Iqbal. A well worked Sunderland goal rounded off by Stephen Wearne sealed the victory for the lads.
As expected, Lee Johnson rang wholesale changes to the side with Denver Hume the only recognised first teamer named in a young side. In goal was Jacob Carney behind a back four of Richardson, Younger, Almond and Hume. Tyrese Dyce started wide left with Ellis Taylor wide right with a three-man midfield of Sohna, Scott and Wearne looking to supply Will Harris. Former Sunderland defender Paul McShane lined up for the visitors after signing up at Old Trafford as a player/coach.
The visitors got the game underway kicking towards the North Stand and should have taken an early lead after a horrendous mistake from Hume. He blindly played the ball back to the keeper allowing former Sunderland youngster Joe Hugill clean through on goal. Hugill then rounded the keeper but his shot struck the foot of the post before McNeill slipped before he could tap the rebound into an empty net.
At the other end Wearne saw a low left footed effort saved by the keeper. A couple of minutes later Tyrese Dyce seized a loose ball and drove forward before blazing a shot over the bar. The lads went close to taking the lead after 15 minutes when Hearne was fouled on the edge of the box winning Sunderland a free kick in a dangerous position. The ball was clipped into the box and only half cleared allowing Kenton Richardson to volley goalwards, but he was unfortunate to see it hit the post.
After 25 minutes Dyce put in a decent cross from the left for Harris, but his header was just the wrong side of the post. Five minutes later Denver Hume intercepted a loose throw from the Manchester United keeper and surged into the box before the keeper held his low shot what lacked any real conviction. At the other end Hume was called into action to block a Hoogewerf shot what went behind for a corner. The resulting set piece drew a save from Carney who had to tip a looping header over the bar before the next corner Sunderland cleared as far as Fernandez who fired way off target.
The visitors ended the half as they had started it by striking the woodwork after Iqbal capitalised on a loose ball after Younger did well to block Hoogewerf’s shot. Iqbal beat Carney with his effort, but it ricocheted back off the post and away meaning it was goalless at the break.
Sunderland got the game back underway with neither team making any changes at half time and the lads had an early shot on goal but Sohna’s shot was held. The visitors responded with an attack down the left which saw Hugill get another sight of goal, but his shot was saved low to Carney’s right.
The lads did take the lead five minutes into the second half thanks to a smart finish from Tyrese Dyce. Will Harris had capitalised on some sloppy defending from the visitors and forced the keeper into a decent save which fell only as far as Dyce who smashed a left footed shot past the keeper into the top corner of the net. Five minutes later Manchester United almost equalised through McNeill but Ollie Younger did well to block his shot on the line.
United did draw level a couple of minutes later after a spell of pressure had saw them win a succession of corners. They took one short with Savage clipping it to Zidane Iqbal who found time and space just inside the box before curling an unstoppable shot into the top right-hand corner. Sunderland could have found themselves behind straight from the restart when Joe Hugill found space in the box, but Carney was equal to his effort.
Sunderland retook the lead with another well worked goal with 25 minutes remaining when Stephen Wearne found the back of the net. Patrick Almond did well bringing the ball out of defence before sliding the ball down the right-hand channel for Ellis Taylor. Taylor took a touch before standing up an inch perfect cross onto the head of Wearne who nodded the ball into the bottom corner.
With twenty minutes remaining Lee Johnson made his first change of the evening with Denver Hume replaced by Ethan Kachosa. Sunderland created another chance when Stephen Wearne skipped inside a challenge on the left flank before putting in a good cross towards Harris who’s first time shot was just off target.
The visitors still looked a threat at times when they went forward, and Sunderland needed a good save from Jacob Carney to keep their lead intact when he denied Sam Mather’s shot. As the clock ran down United made a couple of changes as they searched for an equaliser but Sunderland defended well.
There was four minutes added time and Sunderland made a couple of changes with Caden Kelly replacing Ellis Taylor before Zac Johnson replaced Stephen Wearne with the lads seeing out the time for the win.
Final Score: Sunderland 2 Manchester United Under-21s 1
ALS Man of the Match: Stephen Wearne
