City Boys just too strong for Tynesiders

TABLE- TOPPING Sunderland Primary Schools Boys outgunned North Tyneside to maintain their impressive Harrison Cup form.

Nathan Simpson ( pictured) just failed to to give defending champions Sunderland an early lead, following a bright start, when he shot across the keeper but narrowly wide of the far post.

Simpson was then involved in a key moment shortly after when he bravely tried to get on the end of a Lewis Lukeman cross and collided with the North Tyneside keeper who, after lengthy treatment, was unable to play any further part.

North Tyneside were forced to replace the keeper with an outfield player and Simpson could have increased their misery when he outpaced the home defence, but his rising shot just cleared the bar.

From the resulting goal kick, the substitute keeper cleared the ball straight to leading scorer Brandon Goldsmith, just outside the area, and he returned the ball over the keeper’s head with a delightful lob to give Sunderland a 1- 0 lead.

The second half was an even affair with both teams looking dangerous going forward.

The introduction of Ellis Cowell gave Sunderland an extra spark and he increased the lead 10 minutes into the half when he reacted quickest to fire home from close range after Harry Gardiner’s shot came back off the post.

It was Sunderland’s turn to lose their goalkeeper 10 minutes later when Ben McDonald, who had given a very assured display between the sticks, bravely threw himself into a challenge with North Tyneside’s centre forward and had to leave the field with a head injury.

Having looked a threat at one end of the field, Gardiner then donned the keeper’s gloves for the final 10 minutes during which time Sunderland scored a matchclinching third goal.

Great work from Cowell saw him dance along the touchline before pulling the ball back for Simpson, who buried the ball from just inside the area.