FT 2-2 Ah **** - penalties A good run out I though Aouchiche played well, kept chasing them down but Rusyn and Ba gavie it away far too easily. Aleksiic had his moments - his shot led to the first goal and looked pretty skillful Ba seemed to run out of steam at the end.
Sunderland AFC Under-21s suffered a 5-4 penalty defeat to Gateshead in the National League Cup but still earned a point in Group C with the full-time result finishing 2-2. Despite Luke Hannant and Jovan Malcom putting the hosts ahead, goals from Adil Aouchiche and Trey Ogunsuyi confirmed the point at the Gateshead International Stadium. The hosts would claim two points in the group with victory on penalties. Milan Aleksic, Adil Aouchiche, Abdoullah Ba and Nazariy Rusyn all started with Trey Ogunusyi leading the line. Harrison Jones captained the side with Blondy Nna Noukeu between the sticks. The Black Cats started in the ascendancy with Aouchiche testing the gloves of Owen Mason. A third of the game played and the chances continued to come for Sunderland with Ogunsuyi firing wide. It was the visitors who started the second half the stronger side grabbing the opener after 52 minutes. Hannant finding the corner from close-range. The Heed had a second just minutes later with Malcom finding space in the area to convert past Nna Noukeu. The game flipped on it's head in the final 20 minutes. Milan Aleksic's effort from the edge of the area parried into the path of Aouchice to pull one back for the Lads. Moments later, Graeme Murty's side were level. Ogunsuyi chasing down the loose cause to sneak the ball underneath mason and send the game to penalties. H.Jones, Aouchiche, Jewison Bennette and Milan Aleksic all converted. Abdoullah Ba's saved spot kick confirmed the extra point for Carl Magnay's side who scored five out of five. Our U21s return to action on Monday 16 December to face Arsenal in PL2 action. SAFC: Nna Noukeu, Jenson Jones (Lavery 60), Bell, Johnson, Bennette, H.Jones, Aleksic, Aouchiche, Ruysn, Ba, Ogunsuyi Subs: Chibueze, Lenz, Jaydon Jones, Middlemas, Walsh, Tutieriov My take I thought the second half was great to watch, with both sides playing good football in difficult conditions, Lavery, Bennette and Achichi caught my eye while Trey looks more and more like the player we are told he is. Ba and Rusyn seem to have lost their way and although both players have something about them I think they need a fresh challenge away from SAFC..
He was absolutely dreadful last night, tries and fails each time but doesn't learn, must be amazing to be that confident. On the other end I though Zak Johnson, Lavery and Ogunsuyi looked good.
Defeat for the 18s https://x.com/AcademyOfLight/status/1864949173386375514?t=eoZtl7-vMfvo1Emj9V8tLw&s=19
Under-21 Lead Coach, Graeme Murty admitted his side should have been "out of sight before half time" following the National League Cup clash against Gateshead. The Black Cats suffered a 5-4 penalty defeat but still earned a point in Group C with the full-time result finishing 2-2. Despite Luke Hannant and Jovan Malcom putting the hosts ahead, goals from Adil Aouchiche and Trey Ogunsuyi confirmed the point at the Gateshead International Stadium. The hosts would claim two points in the group with victory on penalties. "We did enough to win the game in normal time", Murty commented. "We have given away two weak goals with poor defensive decisions and at the other end, not taken our chances. The Lads now sit fifth in the group with one game remaining against Halifax in the new year. He continued: "This competition has been brilliant for us. It has allowed us to show our younger players what the professional game looks like. "We have continued to show our lads can compete at this level." Ogunsuyi was once again on target netting his 14th goal in all competitions. The Belgian U18 international was recently nominated for the PL2 Player of the Month. "He is in a fine vein of form," Murty continued. "We keep asking him to get in the right positions, run into the space and his goal showed that. "You sometimes have to remember he is only 18. He has plenty to work on but we're really pleased with his progress."
All of the other nominees play at Premier League Clubs. Just shows how good a standard our academy is. Things look good for the future.
