U23 PREMIER LEAGUE CUP REPORT | Sunderland 2 Charlton 0

The development squad started their Premier League Cup campaign in disappointing fashion with a 2-0 defeat at Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground on October 8th. 

The Group A encounter was played in high winds in the north east with both sides struggling to come to terms with the conditions in a quiet opening 45 minutes. 

Brendan Sarpng-Wiredu tested the home stopper with a low effort from just outside the box which was kept out of the bottom corner, but it was the Black Cats who went ahead in the 36th minute of play. Jake Hackett’s through ball from the centre of the park unlocked the young Addicks’ defence and allowed Williams Kokolo an opportunity to finish past Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

Sarpong-Wiredu was pulling the strings in midfield for Charlton and he came close again before half-time when he looked to curl a sumptuous effort into the top right-hand corner, only for it to dip just past the upright, while Wilberforce Ocran was denied by the keeper at the near post as Jason Euell’s side looked to draw level. 

After the break, however, Sunderland began to take control and went further ahead 11 minutes after the restart through Jack Diamond who showed good feet on the edge of the box before sending an unstoppable effort soaring into the back of the net. 

It was not until late on that the Addicks started to re-apply pressure. Terrique Anderson did well to burst across the box before drawing a good save from the goalkeeper and there were some protests after the resulting corner when it looked as if Charlton had forced the ball over the line only for the appeals to be dismissed and the visitors were forced to come away from their opening group game empty handed. 

Charlton U23s: Maynard-Brewer, Barton, Zemura, Dempsey, Cummings, Blumberg, Sarpong-Wiredu, Anderson (French, 81), Ocran, Carey, Doughty.

Subs (not used): Osaghae, Mascoll, Vennings, Isiaka.

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