Lafferty’s celebration dedicated to Cooke

Kyle Lafferty has explained how his first goal for Sunderland was dedicated to kitman John Cooke – after the popular figure saw his father pass away on the eve of the game.

Lafferty netted the opener in the Black Cats’ 2-2 draw with Gillingham in what was his first goal for the club, and immediately headed to the bench to celebrate with Cooke.

And the 32-year-old has now revealed how he promisedthekitmanhewoulddedicateanygoalhebaggedagainst theGills–believingitwas‘only right’ to pay tribute to a wellrespected figure at the Academy of Light.

“Yesterday, we were told that Cookie's Dad died,” explained Lafferty.

“Cookie is one of the boys, everyone loves him, so I said if I scored I would dedicate the goaltohimandhisDad.Ithink it was only right to go over to him.”

*Sunderland Under-18s’ winlessruncontinuedasthey lost 4-0 to powerful Man Utd Under-18s in Saturday's game attheAcademy,writesNeville Pilkington.

They even spurned a third minute chance of taking the lead when a triallist was through with a one on one but failed to beat the keeper. The miss proved costly as United took the lead through Zidane Iqhal.

Midfielder Charlie McCann

made it two just before the break with a good strike from the edge of the box.

Sunderland'sColeKiernan headed over from close range, butthevisitorsextendedtheir lead through Max Haygarth.

Three minutes later, McCann got his brace with a strikefromtheedgeofthebox.

Sunderland: Basey, Smith (Kompper46),Armstrong,Almond.Baggs,Wombwell(Taylor25),Watts,trialist, Dicchio, trialist( Bruce 77), Kiernan.