Town’s U18 side were defeated 3-1 by Sunderland after extra time, as we exited the FA Youth Cup at the fourth round stage this evening.
Gerard Nash’s young Blues put in a fine performance at the Stadium of Light, but ultimately found the Premier League Black Cats too strong.
Town started the game brightly though and took the lead in the 24th minute, as midfielder Victor Gulbrandsson powered home a header to fire the Blues in front.
However the hosts took just six minutes to respond, with Jordan Blinco firing the ball into the net after some neat Sunderland build-up play.
Town had a great chance to edge back in front before the break as Cemal Ramadan beat the offside trap to go one-on-one with James Talbolt but the striker was denied by a fine stop by the ‘keeper, before missing an open goal on the rebound.
Monty Patterson had appeals for a Town penalty waved away by the referee, whilst Sunderland created a number of chances at the other end which they failed to convert as we headed into extra time.
Despite a spirited display, the Blues fell behind on the stroke of half-time in extra time as Luke Molyneux drove the ball beyond Sam McDermid and into the net.
Two minutes after the break and the hosts sealed the win as substitute Dan Pybus darting into the box before finding the net.
Sunderland could have extended their lead late on but a remarkable double save from Town stopper McDermid saw him keep out Ethan Robinson’s spot-kick.
That was the way it finished and the young Blues will now switch their attentions to the League competition now.
Town: McDermind, Emmanuel, Fowler, Smith, Kenlock, Gulbrandsson, Benyu, McLoughlin, Blanchfield, Patterson, Ramadan.
