Sunderland Boys on cloud nine in derby delight

SUNDERLAND Primary Schools Boys bounced back from the disappointment of a draw at Chester- le- Street to secure a resounding 9- 1 derby Harrison Cup win against Washington.

Harry Gardiner gave the home side the perfect start at the Academy of Light when he burst through the Washington defence in the second minute to finish confidently.

Lewis Lukeman increased the advantage when he clinically converted a cross from Castletown Primary School mate James Harrison at the far post and it was 3- 0 shortly after when the ball found its way to the unmarked Brandon Goldsmith ( pictured, right), who made no mistake from close range.

Nathan Simpson added a fourth goal when he skilfully adjusted his body to chest home a fierce Lukeman cross, then Goldsmith grabbed his second goal of the game when he expertly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper.

The goal of the game came shortly before half- time when the ball was swept from one end of the pitch to the other in six passes before Jude Percival despatched his shot across the keeper and into the far corner for a 6- 0 interval lead.

Despite Percival grabbing his second goal shortly after the restart, with a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box, the second half was a much closer affair with Sunderland increasingly sloppy in possession and it came as no surprise when Washington pulled a goal back after a forward followed up on a great save from Ben McDonald to fire into an empty net.

Despite huffing and puffing for most of the second half, Sunderland finished with two late goals when Simpson headed in an Ellis Cowell cross and Cowell then smashed a ball from the right of the box into the top corner to leave the keeper with no chance.

John Anderson and Lewis Connolly were outstanding in the Sunderland defence.

Sunderland travel to Darlington on Saturday and anticipate a tough fixture.