Wed night 7pm. U21s play Athletico Bilboa at the SOL Final match in the group stages of the Premier Int Cup. After beating Man City and a draw with Borrusia M. Lads advance if they avoid defeat. 3 quid a ticket for European match. Gotta be better than watching ****ing corrie or ****enders.
U21s progress in Premier League Cup Published: 11 November, 2015 by Sam Lightle Graham and Smith on target to seal SoL win for U21s. Sunderland’s U21s have progressed to the quarterfinals of the Premier League International Cup after clinching victory over Athletic Club at the Stadium of Light. Danny Graham gave the Black Cats a lead inside 34 minutes before Gorka Guruzeta Rodriguez equalised moments before half-time. Martin Smith then converted a second half penalty to hand the under-21s a slender lead late on in what was an overall dogged performance by the hosts. The under-21s went into the game top of Group D and needing just a point against their Spanish opposition to progress to the next stage of the European competition. However, ahead of the match Sunderland were dealt a major blow as skipper Liam Agnew and Lynden Gooch were ruled out. After a cagey opening to the match, Sunderland grew in confidence, spurred on by energetic runs from Rees Greenwood on the right hand side. The visitors were first to get into a promising position though after Inigo Pradera Belar played Gorka Guruzeta Roriguez through - however, George Brady was alert to come across and make a decisive block. Josh Robson was then fouled on the edge of the box, Patrick van Aanholt stepped up to take the free-kick which forced Bilbao’s keeper to make a smart save. Graham was the quickest to pounce on the loose but his effort flashed across the face of goal. Moments later Graham got his goal and gave Sunderland the lead – the striker beat the offside trap and then poked the ball beyond Bilbao’s stopper. Bilbao struck back and got themselves level in the 44th minute after some neat passing on the right hand side was finished off well by Rodriguez from nine yards out. Sunderland started brighter in the second 45 with Tom Robson and van Aanholt causing Bilbao problems down the left hand side. But Bilbao began to reassert their control on the game and confidently passed the ball around, however, for all their pressure failed to create any meaningful attempts on Sunderland’s goal. Credit to the hosts though as Sunderland were patient throughout and extremely measured in their approach. And it nearly paid off when an excellent ball over the top saw Graham close in on goal – the strike brought the ball under control first time before attempting an ambitious lob, which went just over. Shortly after Sunderland were presented with another opportunity to take the lead when van Aanholt was brought down inside the penalty area. Smith stepped up and calmly tucked away the spot kick to give Sunderland a crucial lead. Sunderland held out for the win and have progressed to the quarter finals of the Premier League International Cup. Sunderland U21s: Stryjek, J Robson, van Aanholt, Ledger, Brady, E Robson, Smith, T Robson, Greenwood (Wright), Graham, Mandron. Unused subs: Purvis, Blinco, Lawson, Molyneux, Nelson, Hume
