Late Black Cats second seals hosts the points in PL2
Reading U23 were defeated on their travels to the North East as a late second from hosts Sunderland saw our young side lose out 2-0 at Eppleton Collieries on Monday night.
The Black Cats led after ten minutes, before putting the tie beyond doubt with a 90th minute strike which put paid to the hopes of a Royals fightback.
Our Wearside hosts took the lead at the ten minute mark, as Nicky Gyimah's clever central run saw him picked out by a Harrison Sohna ball before the former-Peterborough United youngster slotted past Harvey Collins who could do little to prevent the opener.
The Royals' best effort at the half came ten minutes after Sunderland's opener, as skipper for the night Malachi Talent-Aryeetey fired the resulting ball of a free-kick routine narrowly over Jack McIntyre's bar.
Half-time: Sunderland U23 1-0 Reading U23
Looking to force an issue throughout, our side, which featured a number of U16 and U18s faces, continued to push for a leveller, coming closest after the break through subsitute Harry Furlong who on 58 minutes demanded two strong saves from Sunderland stopper McIntyre.
Not once but twice, our FA Youth Cup match winner in Round Three was denied in Eppleton, McIntyre a big reason behind the Black Cats clean sheet.
However as the contest ticked into extra-time, it was the hosts who grabbed the second goal, as Caden Kelly raced past his man before squaring to unmarked Tyrese Dyce to slot home.
Full-time: Sunderland U23 2-0 Reading U23
Next up for our U23s is another clash with a North East side, but this time we're the hosts, as Newcastle United U23 visit the Select Car Leasing Stadium for a 7pm kick-off on Friday 14 January. As ever, parking and entry to this fixture is free, so please do come down and show your support for our future stars in RG2.
Sunderland U23: McIntyre, Johnson, Newall, Sohna, Almond ©, Fieldson, Kachosa, Scott, Gyimah (Jones 75'), Dyce, Kelly.
Subs not used: Richardson, Gardiner, Jessup, Bainbridge
Yellow: Dyce 34'
Scorers: Gyimah 10', Dyce 89'
Reading U23: Collins, Paul (Epkenyong 63'), Daniel-Spray (Tuma 84'), Campbell, Beacroft, Kanu, Okine-Peters (Furlong 46'), Talent-Aryeetey ©, Greaver, Abdel-Salam, Scott.
Subs not used: Norcott, Chambers-Borgnis
Yellow: Campbell 81'