United Under-17s ended what has been a very encouraging calendar year under Warren Joyce with a 2-0 home win over Sunderland whom they had beaten by the same score up in the north east back in October.

Newton Boyce, released by Middlesbrough, was one of United’s marksmen that day and he returned to Thorp Arch, but this time as a Sunderland player.

Mark Wilberforce got down well to push out a header from Adam Smith at the foot of his left upright on 22 minutes when the Sunderland player met a corner in what was the first real threat on goal from either side.

Damian Reeves had a shot well saved on 35 minutes and United went ahead through Chris Jones five minutes later.

Andy Keogh headed just wide when he met Justin Bowler’s free kick at the end of the first half.

United had assumed a greater control on proceedings as the half had wore on and deserved the advantage.

Sunderland keeper Roberts and Sam Hird collided as both challenged for the ball near the penalty spot on the hour. Hird reacted quickest and knocked the loose ball goalwards only to be denied by a clearance which went straight to
Jones and the Welsh youngster made no mistake as he slotted home from the edge of the area,

Sunderland appeals for a foul on the keeper were in vain.

Hird was in the thick of the action in his early minutes on the pitch as he supplied a cross which Keogh just failed to connect with and then he was to be found in his own penalty area blocking a couple of Sunderland shots on goal.

Simon Walton headed over from Luke Byrne’s free kick and then Keogh headed narrowly off target when he met Bowler’s free kick, while it took a good save by Roberts to hold on to a low angled sot from Keogh as United pressed for a
third in the closing stages.

Wilberforce, Leister (Batley, 85m), Camfield, Byrne, Walton, Constable, Parker, Jones (Howson, 80m), Bowler, Keogh, Reeves (Hird, 55m) Unused subs; MacQuarrie, Littler