A dramatic stoppage-time winner from Dan Neil broke Norwich City hearts and snatched three valuable points for Sunderland in the Premier League 2 on Friday afternoon. Neil's well-taken finish tilted the game in the Lads' favour at the perfect time, following a brace from the in-form Josh Hawkes which twice levelled the contest at the Lotus Training Centre. Matthew Dennis and Abu Kamara put Norwich in front on two occasions in the first half, before numerous chances for the Black Cats eventually paid off after the break. The hosts looked sharp in spells and gave Sunderland a real wake-up call early on, as Dennis played a one-two with Kamara to eventually strike past Anthony Patterson. Hawkes however had other ideas than to let the Canaries rest, and cut inside from the left wing to fire clinically past Daniel Barden in goal. Kamara hit back almost immediately as he turned home Dennis' threatening cross, leaving the Lads with a deficit to eat into once more. Barden and the woodwork combined to frustrate Sunderland over the course of the afternoon, with the crossbar denying Hawkes twice, as well as Ellis Taylor. The goalkeeper would also turn away shots from Sam Wilding and Will Harris, the latter leading the line. After the Lads had continued to be kept at bay and Kamara had volleyed over at the other end, persistence finally overcame resistance and Hawkes made it 2-2 with 18 minutes to play, receiving it from Harris and finishing inside the box - his fifth in four matches. And it was perfect timing as we sought a winner, Neil tucking the ball away well in minute 92 to reward an exciting performance in Norfolk. The last-gasp victory moves Sunderland up three places to sixth in Group 2 of the Premier League 2 table, only separated from the play-off places by goal difference having won four of our last five. SUNDERLAND: Patterson, Richardson, Beaumont, Almond, Taylor, Wilding, Trialist, Wearne, Neil, Hawkes, Harris. Subs: Richardson, Kelly, Chapman, Gardiner.
No Younger or Maguire for the 23's today then. Hope Younger will feature on Saturday. Doesn't look like Dan Neil will though. Hawkes seems to be doing well and has taken over the mantle left by Mitch Curry.
that's good news clocky seems like our under 23s are starting to get back to the strength they were, just hope LJ gives the better ones minutes, don't want the same **** like maja not playing them and then when we do and can't do without them they FO because we didn't have any faith in them .I know that scenario really gets Clocky blowing a gasket.
I can see him putting Younger straight in as for Maguire if LJ has managed to get out of him what he is capable of can only be a good thing
I hope Younger does start mate. With Wright alongside him to keep him right. He might have to, if 09 has to go to RB.
Anyone know what type of player Hawkes is? He seems to score every game. Thought he was a centre midfielder?
A Hartlepool fan at work reckoned Hawkes had a lot of ability but can be lazy. I don't think he's got a lot of pace. Maguire kind of player but plays further forward?
An attacking mid, seems to have played a few games left wing and up front though. Good scoring record like, 11 in 17 games. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/josh-hawkes/leistungsdaten/spieler/488416
5 goals in 4 games he seems to be scoring for fun. Looks like he had a great game according to the Norwich report https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/202...wich-city-pl2-vs-sunderland-pl2-on-16-apr-21/ Norwich City Under-23s twice took the lead before being pegged back in Friday afternoon's game against Sunderland at Lotus Training Centre, the visitors winning it 3-2 in the 92nd minute, Matthew Dennis and Abu Kamara the scorers for City. Norwich had the perfect start, Dennis giving City the lead inside the second minute following a tidy one-two with Kamara, both forwards under pressure from the Sunderland defence. Josh Hawkes, one of the league's top scorers, looked dangerous throughout the first half, getting his first chance when he won a free-kick on the edge of the area, fired it at the wall and smashed the re-bound high and wide. Dennis almost returned the favour for Kamara at the other end when he got on the end of a good ball down the left wing from Jonathan Tomkinson. Dennis crossed early but the ball was just behind Kamara, who retrieved it and fired over the bar. Hawkes made no mistake at the other end, darting in from the left wing with pace to pick out the bottom left corner with his right foot to equalise. But Sunderland's comeback was short-lived, as Kamara made amends for his earlier miss when he got on the end of another Dennis cross to cushion the ball across the line to give City a 2-1 lead. Hawkes was certainly in the mood, daring to go from goal from about 35 yards out moments later, Daniel Barden relieved to see the ball crash onto the crossbar and away. The Canaries 'keeper then made a good reflex save to deny Sam Wilding from equalising, before Hawkes had an effort ricochet off Tomkinson and onto the crossbar once more. Kamara had the first chance of the second half following a promising City counter attack led by Regan Riley. He found Louis Lomas on the right, whose cross was shot into the ground and over the bar. Barden pushed a shot over from Hawkes at the other end as both sides continued to look dangerous going forward. Hawkes then sent a cross in from the left wing that evaded Lomas, the ball sailing to the far post where Barden was on hand to make another good reflex save. Sunderland then hit the crossbar for the third time in the game, Ellis Taylor hitting the woodwork before the pressure paid off once more, a cross coming in for Hawkes to dispatch for 2-2. The visitors took the lead in the 92nd minute, Dan Neil scoring from Hawkes' corner.
