Young Cats held by Wolves pups

A very young Sunderland U18 side held a strong Wolverhampton Wanderers U18 outfit to a 1-1 draw in the FA Premier Youth League at the Academy of Light on Saturday.

Coach Paul Bryson opted to field several players from the U16 side, and also included Logan Pye from the U15 squad.

In blustery conditions, the young Black Cats overcame a headwind by keeping the ball low, playing to feet and despite the visitors pressure, took the lead on 27 minutes when Leonard fed in for Tom Scothern to hit home, before holding firm until half-time.

However, Wolves continued to press in the second half and managed to equalise on 56 minutes, when Kevin Berkoe lobbed home keeper Adam Cameron.

Bryson said: “I was very pleased with the way the young lads stepped up to the plate. Because of injuries and an U23 game I had to field a team which included U15 player Logan Pye, who I thought was exceptional for his age.”

Sunderland: Cameron, Almond, Armstrong, Pye, Ord, Gooch (Isaac 79), Best (Foster 87), Leonard, Triallist, Scothern, Slack.