Bradley Dack and Corry Evans advanced their individual injury comebacks by starting for Sunderland Under-21s against Newcastle United this afternoon in their rivalry.
Unfortunately, a double from Kyle Crossley and a header from Cathal Heffernan proved to be enough to keep Newcastle’s second string winning 3-2 at the Academy of Light in the Premier League 2 match.
After missing the entire season due to cruciate ligament surgery in the spring, Evans finished the first half of play and scored Sunderland’s first goal with a superb long-range effort.
Playing for 55 minutes, Dack—who has been out since Boxing Day due to hamstring problems—was a part of an experienced Black Cats lineup that also included Pierre Ekwah, Timothee Pembele, and Mason Burstow.
Despite having a far less experienced squad than the team they were playing against, Lewis Miley’s younger brother Jamie played a pivotal role in midfield, helping the visitors win on Wearside.
In just seven minutes, Newcastle had taken the lead when Crossley stole the ball from Sunderland’s defense and scored from close range.Five minutes before the half, Evans scored Sunderland’s equalizer from 25 yards out, making ensuring his 45-minute run-out concluded on a positive note.
Just before halftime, Newcastle took the lead in first-half stoppage time, but not before Caden Kelly for the Black Cats struck against the crossbar and Pembele’s attempt was disallowed for offside. Heffernan headed in from close range after Miley swung over from the left corner.
Midway through the second half, Wearsider Crossley scored his second goal of the match, finishing low past Nathan Bishop after Amadou Diallo slid a cross into the middle. This gave the Magpies a bigger lead.
In stoppage time, Joe Ryder scored Sunderland’s third goal in the previous five reserve games from close range after Oli Bainbridge crossed to the back post.
On Friday night, Sunderland’s Under-21 team will play their first game back at Eppleton CW against Leicester City. The same night, Newcastle’s Under-21 team will play Middlesbrough at Bishop Auckland’s Heritage Park.