Under-18 Premier League
Sunderland 4 (Robertson 45+2’, Robertson 59’, 72’, 88’)
Leeds United 3 (Pirie 1’, Chambers 65’, H. Gray 78’)
Sunderland: Young (GK), Sekete, Lavery, Bell, Beattie, Robertson, Whittaker (Hunt 72’), Mitchell, Jones, Creamer, Obolo (Chung 74’). Subs not used: Metcalf, Holcroft, Parker.
Leeds: Grainger (GK), Richards, Toulson, Lopata-White, Billett (H. Gray 67’), Chadwick, Chambers, Vincent (Bird 46’), Gorman, McDonald (Hamilton 60’), Pirie (Wilson 67’). Subs not used: Mahady (GK).
Venue: Academy of Light
Referee: S. Parnaby
Booked: Sekete, Mitchell, Chung (Sunderland) Richards, Chambers (Leeds)
Sent-off: Mitchell (Sunderland)
Leeds United Under-18s travelled away from home on Wednesday lunchtime, facing Sunderland in the Under-18s Premier League.
The Whites were aiming to return to winning ways after suffering a late defeat at home to Middlesbrough, last time out.
Sunderland were also aiming for three points, having not won in their opening five matches of the campaign.
It was a perfect start for United, who took the lead at the Academy of Light inside the first minute. Having scored his first goal for the club against Newcastle United a few games earlier, Lewis Pirie made it a North East double by finding the net against Sunderland.
The Whites were dominating the first half and had chances throughout, with no fewer than eight shots on target in side the opening 45 minutes.
With the strikers linking up well with the wide men, plenty of efforts were flowing on the Sunderland box, keeping Matthew Young busy in the Black Cats net.
However, against the run of play and with their first effort on target of the match, the hosts equalised.
Right on the stroke of half-time, in the second minute of added on time, Jayden Jones equalised from Josh Robertson’s assist, to send the teams in level to their respective dressing rooms.
HALF TIME: Sunderland U18s 1-1 Leeds United U18s
Back out for the second 45 minutes in the North East and Scott Gardner made a change for his side. Coban Bird came on, replacing Harvey Vincent. Sunderland kept the same starting XI which began the game.
With the game level for the opening 15 minutes or so of the half, the goals then started to flow in what would be an attack-minded final half an hour a the Academy of Light.
The hosts went into the lead through Robertson, as the provider for the first goal turned scorer this time, assisted by Daniel Obolo.
Just five minutes later, Leeds responded well and were back on level terms. Pushing forward from midfield, Sam Chambers scored after Dan Toulson had created the chance for him.
The Whites then made further changes, as Marley Wilson and Harry Gray entered the action, in place of Joe Billett and first half scorer, Pirie.
With just under 20 minutes remaining, the Black Cats would then retake the lead. Again it was Robertson causing the problems, as the number 10 scored his second goal of the game.
There was still time for further action as fresh from the bench and making an immediate impact on the match, Gray scored the leveller this time, to level the game at three-apiece!
Into the final five minutes and the number changing this time was in terms of players. Having collected a yellow card moments earlier, Cuba Mitchell would receive another booking and subsequently see red, meaning Sunderland had 10 players for the final few minutes.
Despite the player disadvantage, Robertson would cap a fine performance for his side by getting a hat-trick and securing the three points, with the whistle going moments later to end the game.
Next up for Leeds is an away trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday lunchtime.
FULL TIME: Sunderland U18s 4-3 Leeds United U18s
