Sunderland U21s 3 Middlesbrough U21s 2
Mandron 5, 81 Lawson 61 Jakupovic 67, 89 (Pen)
Middlesbrough’s Under 21s lost to local rivals Sunderland at
the Stadium of Light, as the Black Cats kept up the pressure on Manchester
United at the top of the Barclays U21 Premier League.
Boro’s team, which included the likes of Rhys Williams and
Alex Baptiste, put up a decent fight against a side who sit a comfortable
second in the league standings.
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| Mikael Mandron heads Sunderland ahead after 5 minutes (Picture from the Sunderland Echo) |
Sunderland striker Mikael Mandron stole the show with two
goals on the night, while Carl Lawson was also on target for the hosts in a 3-2
victory.
Boro threatened to stage a comeback when Arnel Jakupovic
converted Harry Chapman’s well-weighted pass after 70 minutes to make it 2-1,
though Mandron quickly restored Sunderland’s two goal lead.
Jakupovic’s penalty in stoppage time acted as mere
consolation, after he was brought down inside the area by centre back Tom
Beadling.
It was the Black Cats’ first victory for three games after
losing 1-0 to PSV Eindhoven in the Premier League International Cup earlier
this month.
In that unwelcomed run Andy Welsh’s side also failed to
score. However any lingering concerns in front of were quickly banished here,
as the raced ahead after just five minutes.
George Honeyman’s cross from the left evaded the stagnant
Boro defence and was met at the far post by Mandron, who directed a swooping
header past Joe Fryer in the Boro goal.
It was a pattern of play which continued throughout the
first half as the host, especially Rees Greenwood, made the most of the space
provided down the left channel.
Five minutes after Sunderland’s opener, Greenwood almost
doubled the hosts’ advantage when he charged down the wing before cutting
inside onto his right foot and firing just wide.
From the same side Honeyman set up Mandron again on 14
minutes, though this time the Frenchman’s header lacked the same prowess or
conviction.
After a tricky opening spell Boro began to settle, with Chapman
and Jordan Jones providing decent outlets on the wings.
On 20 minutes Jakupovic blazed his effort over after a set
piece situation. Minutes later Jones forced the first save from Sunderland
keeper Maksymilian Stryjek, who turned a low shot wide.
Even so Sunderland continued to apply the greater pressure
and Fryer was called into action to deny Liam Agnew and Martin Smith before
half time.
Sunderland’s second of the night came 12 minutes after the
restart, after a neat passing move from a side that have lit up this division
on many occasion this season.
A lot has been said about Duncan Watmore’s recent promotion
to the first team, after originally impressing at this level. Then last
Saturday Honeyman started on the bench against Manchester United after his
impressive displays. If this goal was
anything to go by then 21-year-old Lawson could be the next to make the breakthrough.
After some good work from his team mates to work the ball to
the edge of the area, he quickly shifted the ball onto his right foot before
bending the ball past Fryer, who could do nothing but watch.
Boro responded and injected some life back into the contest
with a swift counterattacking goal. Chapman is another player who has had
plenty of hype surrounding him in recent weeks, after he was named the league’s
player of the month in November.
Here the 18-year-old showed the reasoning behind his
increased attention. With 20 minutes to go he burst through the middle pitch
before showing composure to pick out Jakupovic, who finished well on his right
foot.
Boro huffed and puffed but were undone five minutes from
time when Mandron lashed the ball low into the far corner from close range.
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