Very decent result that against a resurgent Scunthorpe with some decent pros in their side, loads for these young lads to gain from wins like this.
Few times Poveda carried the ball at proper pace. He was very impressive throughout. Holcroft looked a real talent. I liked the look of Whittaker. Truth be told they all looked pretty good though. No bad performances.
Sunderland AFC Under-21s began their 2025–26 National League Cup Group D campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Scunthorpe United at the Attis Arena, thanks to a dramatic late winner from Jack Whittaker. Goals from Carlton Ubaezuonu and Joey Dawson had put the hosts 2-0 ahead inside half an hour, but Ian Poveda halved the deficit before the break. Trey Ogunsuyi then levelled the scores midway through the second half, before Whittaker’s composed 90th-minute strike sealed all three points for the young Black Cats. Graeme Murty named a youthful but varied side for the opener, blending first-team experience, Under-21 regulars and Under-18 prospects, with Marshall Burke making his first start since the end of 2024 after a long injury layoff. The home side struck first after just six minutes, Ubaezuonu rolling the ball past summer signing Isaac Allan to give Scunthorpe an early lead. Sunderland responded positively, with Poveda and Whittaker posing constant threats from the flanks. However, against the run of play, the Iron doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark. Allan made a smart initial save to deny the hosts, but Dawson was quickest to react, firing home from close range. Murty’s side found a route back into the contest just before the interval. Poveda, who had been lively throughout the first half, collected possession on the edge of the box and drove a low strike beyond the Scunthorpe goalkeeper to make it 2-1 at half-time. Jaydon Jones replaced Burke at the break as Sunderland pushed for an equaliser. Their pressure told with 20 minutes remaining, when Jay Matete threaded a precise pass into the path of Ogunsuyi, who finished first-time to bring the sides level. The comeback was completed in the dying moments. Whittaker combined cleverly with Felix Scott, skipping past his marker before rifling his shot under the advancing goalkeeper to clinch a memorable opening-day win in Group D. SAFC: Allan, Holcroft, Kindon, Bainbridge, Lightfoot, Burke (Jaydon Jones), Middlemas, Matete, Poveda (Scott), Whittaker, Ogunsuyi (Neill) Unused subs: Cameron, Neild, Hunt, Geragusian My take on the game. Lightfoot really caught my eye early on, he was our only real threat going forward first half . Great second half by the whole team and well worth the result which looked unlikely early on. hats off to Murty.
Great to see young Fin Holcroft starting for the 21's. Comes from my village and is a member of our supporters branch, really down to earth lad and family, spoke to his nanna the other week and she is so proud of him amd hoping he can break into the 21's regularly this season
