Young Cats are thrown to the Wolves

Sunderland Under-18s lost their second game in a row despite a flourishing fightback in the second half at Wolves on Saturday, writes NEVILLE PILKINGTON.

With three new players in their ranks, Sunderland looked a little bit uncomfortable at the start on the game.

The young Black Cats looked nervy from the start at the Sir Jack Hayward training ground, and conceded the first on 16 minutes when Wolves broke down the left, crossing the ball across the box to be slotted home by Brad Carr.

The hosts doubled their lead two minutes later when Sunderland’s Raheed Derbali, on his debut, gave away a penalty that was duly dispatched to make it 2-0.

Sunderland came out fighting in the second half and went close several times.

Lee Connelly raced down the right wing, crossing the ball but well cleared by the Wolves defence.

Sunderland did finally get a consolation goal four minutes into time added on when substitute Dunne brought the ball down off his chest to play in Sam to slot home.

Coach Mark Atkinson said afterwards “I thought we were very poor in the first half.

Although we started with three new lads, I thought we could do better.

“The lads responded in the second half but unfortunately it was too little too late.”

Sunderland: Patterson, Edmundsson, Young, Rayed Derbali (Howard 45), Kokolo, Connolly, Hackett, Hickey (Dunne 75), Greenwood, Connolly, Best (McAughtrie 53).

Not used: Newman, Scothern