Just no substitute for Wyke’s double strike
CHARLIE Wyke came off the bench to score twice as Sunderland came from behind to beat Carlisle United in their second pre-season friendly.
A mistake by new goalkeeper Remi Matthews on his first outing saw the Black Cats fall behind against the League Two side early in the second half.
However Wyke – one of 10 changes made just after the hour – scored with virtually his first touch to level the game up.
Fellow sub Chris Maguire put Sunderland ahead 20 minutes from time with his second goal in as many games after scoring at Gateshead on Saturday.
Wyke struck again 10 minutes from time to make it two wins out of two for Phil Parkinson’s side in pre-season, both games ending 3-1.
Heavy rain made conditions difficult for both sides and clearcut chances were few and far between in the first half.
Sunderland fashioned the best opportunity with only seven minutes gone when Jack Diamond’s precision cross from the left picked out the unmarked Conor McLaughlin in the middle, buty his header was too close to Paul Farman and the keeper saved with his feet.
Just before that, Lynden Gooch had cut the ball back from the right to Will Grigg but the striker – who scored twice against Gateshead on Saturday – was crowded out before he could get his shot away.
Carlisle were forced into a change before the half-hour with Brennan Dickenson limping off after a strong challenge from Max Power and Gime Toure came on in his place.
Sunderland continued to dominate as half-time approached and Josh Scowen sent a shot wide of the righthand post from just outside the D.
Aa minute before the interval McLaughlin turned Nick Anderton on the right-hand corner of the box but his low shot went wide of the near post.
Sunderland fell behind seven minutes into the second period, with Matthews at fault.
Lewis Alessandra’s hopeful shot from just outside the penalty area was straight at the goalkeeper and he could only fumble the ball into the net.
The shot may have taken an awkward bounce in front of Matthews and the conditions were slippy - but it was still a horrendous error.
Sunderland almost levelled when Aiden O’Brien was inches away from reaching an inviting inswinging cross from Diamond.
On the hour Matthews went some way towards atoning for his earlier mistake when he made a good block with his legs to deny Gavin Reilly.
Parkinson then made wholesale changes in the 61st minute, defender Tom Flanagan the only member of the starting XI who stayed on.
Within two minutes, Sunderland drew level with Denver Hume’s low cross from the byline on the left prodded home by Wyke from close range.
Dan Neil should have put Sunderland ahead on 69 minutes when Maguire found him unmarked 12 yards from goal but he skewed his finish over the bar.
Sixty seconds later the Black Cats did hit the front.
This time Grant Leadbitter’s pass released Luke O’Nien inside the right-hand side of the area and his square pass was tapped home by Maguire.
O’Nien saw a deflected shot tipped over the bar by Farman and Maguire sent an effort just wide from the edge of the box.
However, Sunderland did score a third goal 10 minutes from time.
The ball was played into the box for Neil, his shot hit the lefthand post but rebounded to Wyke inside the six-yard box and he controlled and took a touch before finishing into the bottom left-hand corner.