Sunderland moved up to third in the table after a comprehensive 5-0 drubbing of Morecambe at the SOL on Tuesday evening. Lee Johnson’s side eased past the strugglers with a much-improved performance after goals from Ross Stewart, Alex Pritchard, Leon Dajaku, and a brace from Nathan Broadhead sealed the victory.
After the draw on Saturday against Oxford Lee Johnson named the same starting eleven for the visit of Morecambe to Wearside.
The visitors got the game underway kicking towards the North Stand but after a scrappy opening it was Sunderland who were on the offensive forcing a flurry of early corners. Sunderland went close to opening the scoring after one corner was cleared as far as Gooch midway in the Morecambe half. The American did well to beat a challenge before sliding the ball into Broadhead in the box who’s shot what looked destined for the far corner of the net was tipped round the post by the keeper.
From the resulting corner the lads went close again when Bailey Wright tried an audacious overhead kick with his effort just going over the bar. At the other end Sunderland were almost caught napping when Ayunga outpaced Flanagan on the left and drove into the box but his effort was blocked.
Sunderland took the lead after 12 minutes with Ross Stewart getting back amongst the goals with a well taken strike. Lynden Gooch did well on the left-hand side after Sunderland had nicked possession in midfield. Gooch rode two challenges before heading towards the by-line then crossing for Stewart at the front post who stabbed the ball past the keeper on the stretch from just outside the six-yard box.
Five minutes later Sunderland doubled their lead and again Lynden Gooch was the architect with more superb wing work down the left. Gooch picked the ball up on the left and after leaving his man for dead with a step over delivered an inch perfect cross for Nathan Broadhead to nod into the back of the net. A couple of minutes later Sunderland went close to adding to their lead when Dan Neil found space on the edge of the box, but his shot curled just wide of the post.
Morecambe should have pulled a goal back after 23 minutes when Sunderland were caught napping at the back. Leon Dajaku was sleeping when the visitors took a quick throw in on the left flank allowing McCalmont to curl a cross to the back post. Aaron Wilding ran in behind Lynden Gooch but with the goal at his mercy blazed over. A minute later the visitors had the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled out for offside.
Sunderland should have had a third after 26 minutes with Dajaku doing well on the right to pick out Ross Stewart in the box, but the Scot clipped his shot wide of the post. The lads continued to boss the game but despite getting into several good positions the final ball or shot was found wanting. Five minutes before the break Lynden Gooch hit a decent effort from the angle of the box but it was straight down the throat of the keeper. There was two minutes added time at the end of the first half, but Sunderland couldn’t add to their tally.
Morecambe made two changes at the break with Callum Jones and Arthur Gnahoua replaced by Toumani Diagouraga and Courtney Duffus before the lads got the second half underway. The visitors had the first chance of the second half after a long free kick into the box was cleared by Sunderland before being turned back into the front post. Fortunately for Sunderland Diagouraga poked it wide.
Ten minutes into the second half Ross Stewart did brilliantly to create a chance for himself after a clever touch then a great turn of pace to leave his marker for dead. The big Scot powered into the box but saw the keeper save his low shot. Sunderland did add a third couple of minutes later with a fantastically worked goal.
Leon Dajaku did well on the right to slide the ball into the path of Dan Neil who sat a defender down before cutting the ball back for Alex Pritchard to fire into the bottom right-hand corner. Lee Johnson then made his first change of the evening with Elliot Embleton replacing Carl Winchester.
Morecambe had an effort after 65 minutes when Leigh crossed from the right for Stockton but Hoffman was able to hold his header. Two minutes later however Sunderland nabbed their fourth with Nathan Broadhead getting his second of the evening. Dajaku bundled the ball down the right and into the box which Broadhead seized and cut back onto his left foot before blasting a low left footed shot past the keeper.
With 15 minutes left to play Lee Johnson made a double change with Nathan Broadhead and Ross Stewart replaced by Benji Kimpioka and Aiden O’Brien. Sunderland added a fifth three minutes before full time when Leon Dajaku found the net albeit it by a massive deflection. Kimpioka caused problems in the box before the ball came to O’Brien who played it to Dajaku who hit a shot goal wards what looped up in the air off a defender and dropped into the back of the net.
There was three minutes added time and Kimpioka almost fluked a sixth when he charged down a back pass, but the keeper’s clearance hit him and went for a goal kick.
Final Score: Sunderland 5 Morecambe 0
ALS Man of the Match: Nathan Broadhead
