Sunderland U23s 2-3 Aston Villa U23s
Sunderland Under-23s slipped to a 3-2 defeat against Aston Villa Under-23s in the Premier League 2 this afternoon.
After a goalless first half, Josh Hawkes sent the Lads ahead before Jacob Ramsey’s quickfire double turned the game around.
Brad Young added a third late on before Stephen Wearne pulled on back in stoppage time, but it was too little too late as Villa claimed the three points.
Dan Neil was included in Elliott Dickman’s side after missing out in recent weeks due to his involvement in the first team.
While Kenton Richardson started his fourth Premier PL2 game in a row after a hamstring injury ruled him out earlier in the season.
There was nothing to separate the sides early on at a foggy Academy of Light with the keeper’s coming out on top in the early exchanges.
Anthony Patterson made a strong block from Brad Young in the sixth minute as the striker raced in behind Patrick Almond.
And moments later it could have proved decisive, but Villa’s stopper somehow managed to tip Stephen Wearne’s first-time volley over the bar after Josh Hawkes’ crossfield pass.
The visitors continued to dominate possession for the remainder of the half as Sunderland’s rear-guard held firm, with Patterson on hand to keep out any efforts that came his way.
The Black Cats raced out of the stalls after the interval and went ahead almost instantly when Hawkes curled an effort into the bottom corner from 18-yards.
But their lead was short-lived as Ramsey quickly followed suit with a sublime strike of his own, beating Patterson with the stopper at full stretch.
And in the 68th minute, Ramsey had his and his side’s second when he slammed home a rebound from close-range.
Young added a third in the 88th minute, rounding Patterson and slotting home.
Sunderland then grabbed a consolation deep into stoppage time as Wearne latched onto Ryan Wombwell’s cross, but there was no time to search for the equaliser as Aston Villa came away with the points.
Sunderland: Patterson, Wombwell, B Taylor, Almond, Richardson, Hackett, Neil (46’), Wilding, Wearne, Hawkes, Taylor
Subs not used: Beaumont, Chapman, Dicicco, Harris, Richardson