The average age of that Sunderland team is probably under 17 by the looks of it. Having a glance at Dunston's team they're got a few ex-pros in the backend of their 30's, likely a case of men against boys.
Marcus Neill’s 97th-minute winner secured a 3-2 victory for Sunderland Under-21s in Friday night’s Premier League Cup Group H encounter with Norwich City at Eppleton CW. Joe Neild prodded the Lads into an early lead but goals from Dylan Jones and Finley Welsh had looked to have sealed three points for the Canaries. However, with his first touch in the 89th minute, Tom Proctor poked home a finish from close range, before substitute Neill sealed victory for Graeme Murty’s side. Murty made six changes from last Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Aston Villa, with Neild, Ben Metcalf, and Liam Hunt all making their first U21 starts of the season. The Lads made a promising start, and should have been ahead after six minutes. Jack Whittaker’s darting run forward was followed with a pin-point cut-back to Felix Scott, whose finish was wide of the left post. However, after nine minutes, Murty’s side struck first. After Archie Lightfoot’s close-range effort was punched out of play, the resulting corner dropped to the feet of Neild, who thumped home. Scott almost had the Lads’ second, but his effort was dragged wide of the left post, before Norwich equalised when Jones’ side-footed shot made its way into the bottom left corner. Just after the interval, Jaydon Jones’ close-range effort was denied by a stunning reaction save from Rylee Mitchell. The Black Cats began to dominate proceedings, with Jack Whittaker playing a one-two with Jaydon Jones inside of the area, before firing a finish into the gloves of the Norwich ‘keeper. Yet, the Canaries took the lead, when Welsh produced a mazy run into the penalty area and produced a finish past Ben Metcalf. Despite falling behind, Murty’s side continued to push, and Jack Whittaker and Felix Scott both came close to levelling, but their efforts failed to trouble Mitchell. After being introduced only moments previous, Proctor secured a point for the Lads, when Jaydon Jones’ flick-on inside of the penalty area rolled into the path of the midfielder to stab home his first U21 goal. The Lads sought to find a winner, as Whittaker’s effort cannoned against the post, before Ben Middlemas’ volley deflected behind. However, Neill produced a winner in the 97th minute, as he tapped Middlemas’ low teasing cross past the Norwich ‘keeper to spark delirium. Our U21s continue their Premier League Cup campaign, as they welcome Colchester United to Eppleton CW next Friday (7pm kick-off). Sunderland U21: Metcalf, Lightfoot, Holcroft (Proctor 87’), Kindon, Neild, Hunt (Neill 74’), Middlemas, Jaydon Jones, Scott, Whittaker, Moore (Dinsdale 90+6’) Subs not used: Allan, Forsyth
