Physical Sunderland Deservedly Leave with Nothing

MCFC U18s 4 - 2 SAFC U18s

Yet again a side under the influence of Roy Keane tried to force a result through physical play; but not for the second time this season they came up against an academy outfit that pride's itself in playing the beautiful game at a very high standard. All six goals came in the second half after a rather cat and mouse first half. City's goals came from Dedryck Boyata, Donal McDermott, Ryan McGivern and a Kieran Trippier penalty ensured City will face Aston Villa in the play-off finals. Sunderland's goals came at key times but were not enough to ruffle the composure of the City youngster.

Mid way through the first half the referee made a rod for his own back when a reckless lunge from Nathan Luscombe nearly finished Kieran Trippier's game was only talked to when quite clearly it was a bookable offence and this gave the rest of Sunderland team some form of licence to carry on their rather unsportsmanlike play but despite this neither goalkeeper were tested in the first half with any quality efforts on target and so the nil nil score line at half time was quite reflective of how the game was panning out.

City took the first chance in the fourth minute after City had won a corner when Dan Staples had mis-judged a flight of a cross and then did well to recover and put the ball behind. Trippier powered in the cross from the corner and Boyata got in front of his marker to power home his header to the far corner of the net.

Just over five minutes later Sunderland's physicallities were in evidence when David Ball was forced off with a bad head injury to be replaced by James Poole. Sunderland then drew level when a gaggle of Sunderland players jumped for a corner cross and appeared to impede Filip Mentel as he was bundled to the ground as the ball was headed in by Liam Noble.

City repayed the compliment within sixty seconds by playing great one touch football as they surged up the field with the play involveng Poole, Robbie Mak, Andrew Tutte and a fine twenty five yard strike from McDermott that arrowed along the ground into the far corner of the net from the edge of the area.

Two minutes later and City doubled their advantage to score their third goal. Again Trippier fired a quality cross from the corner that Ben Mee headed firmly to goal; Staples could not hold on and Poole was able to fire the ball accross the goal wher McGivern was able to force the ball over the line.

Just when City thought that they were in control they started to drop deep and invited pressure which led to a free kick on the left and the quality of the cross from Conor Hourihane's free kick beat the City defence and Mentel as Luscombe was able to get the vital touch into the far corner of the goal.

This gave Sunderland even more belief and City still sat back too much and defender a far too deep a line. However it was City that nearly scored again when a McDermott corner was headed against the foot of the post by captain Mee.

With eight minutes remaining Staples made up for his error for the third goal when he came out well and denied Mak when he had burst through into a one on one situation with Staples.

City despite being under heavy pressure from a determined Sunderland side hit them on the break again in stoppage time with Mak but the ball was handled in the area to deny the goal bound effort. Trippier coolly stepped up to convert the penalty as he drove the ball into the back of the goal as he sent Staples the wrong way.

The final is down to be played on Sunday at noon on Aston Villa's website but that would be harsh on the City faithfull that will be travelling to Anfield for their Sunday 4pm kick off with Liverpool and give no time to see the young blues possibly complete a league and Cup double.


City: Mentel(GK), Trippier, McGivern, Boyata, Mee(Capt.), Kay, Clayton(Ibrahim 89), Tutte, Mak, Ball(Poole 55), McDermott.

Subs: Hartley(GK), Obeng, McDonald.


Sunderland: Staples; Kay, Brown, Cornforth, Liddle; Noble; Henderson (Cook 88), Colback(Capt.), Hourihane, Luscombe; Waghorn (Galer 65).

Subs: Hunter, Cook, Galer, McArdle, Reed.


Att: 472.