UK Edition
Sunderland thrash spirited Newcastle under-21s in Checkatrade Trophy imitation derby
Sunderland 4 Newcastle under-21s 0
It may have been an imitation derby, a poor substitute for the real thing, an unbalanced contest between men and boys that Sunderland won easily, but it was enjoyable all the same.
When it was first decided it was a good idea for Premier League youth teams to play in the Checkatrade Trophy this is what people had in mind, a true test of a young side’s technique, but also their mentality, with genuine consequences for a defeat.
Sunderland knew this was a game they would not be able to take much satisfaction from winning given this was their first team playing a rivals’ youth side, but they did so anyway, overpowering and eventually overcoming a spirited Newcastle Under-21 effort.
Newcastle’s players will not have experienced an atmosphere or a test like this and can only benefit in the long run, even if the defeat, courtesy of an own goal by Kelland Watts, a header from Charlie Wyke, a stunning third from Chris Maguire and a scrappy fourth from Benjamin Kimpioka will be painful at first.
As for Sunderland, who have suffered early exits from both the League Cup and the FA Cup this season, this is a competition they really should go on to win at Wembley, even if promotion from League One remains their priority.
Sunderland dominated territory and possession, throughout, but Newcastle’s defence was solid, putting their bodies on the line to block and tackle. It meant something.
The 2,800 away fans roared their encouragement. The home support seemed more nervous, aware of the fact they were expected to beat Newcastle’s “Bairns.”
However, other than a Wyke header, that was kept out by an excellent reaction save from Nathan Harker, Sunderland struggled to create goalscoring chances
Newcastle, though, found it tough to hold on to the ball for long spells, but used it well when they did, without finding a way to regularly test goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter. Other than a Callum Roberts shot in the second half, the Dutchman had an easy night.
Sunderland always looked the more likely to force a goal and did so early in the second half when Chris Maguire’s corner went in off Watts. Minutes later and, from another corner, Wyke headed home from close range before Maguire rattled in another candidate for goal of the month and Kimpioka took advantage of an exhausted defence to nod in a fourth.
Sunderland (4-3-3): Ruiter, O’Nien, Ozturk, Flanagan, James, Watmore (Kimpioka 46), McGeouch (Hackett 83), Mumba, Maguire, Wyke (Molyneux 79), Sinclair
Subs: Stryjek, Diamond, Taylor, Hunter.
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Harker; Walters, Gibson, Longstaff, Bailey, Watts, Allan (Longelo 68), Sangare, Sorensen (Toure 56), Roberts, Wilson
Subs: McEntee, Langley, Cumbreras
Referee: T Harrington
Attendance: 16,654