Sunderland U18 'pathway' positives despite Newcastle United derby defeat

The young Black Cats lost 3-1 to rivals Newcasle last weekend

Sunderland U18 lead coach Jordan Moore admitted, “we’re a bit disappointed” following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United.

Second-half goals from Alex O’Donovan, Joe Brayson, and Kyle Fitzgerald sealed the Magpies’ victory, with Bayley Hester adding a late consolation for Sunderland. Post-match, Moore rued his side’s missed first-half chances and discussed the “turning point” in the defeat.

“We’re a bit disappointed,” Moore said. “I don’t think we reached the level that I know we’re capable of, or that we’ve shown over the past couple of weeks. In the first half, the game was pretty even, if I’m being honest, but the first goal always felt important and was going to be a turning point.

“When they got their first goal, we didn’t really recover. If we had taken one of the chances we created in the first half, the dynamics of the game could have changed.”

Moore, however, fielded a young squad due to the club’s hectic schedule on Saturday, and he was pleased with the ‘pathway’ developing for both the U16s and U18s.

He continued: “It’s great to see our pathway in motion. We haven’t just got Marcus [Neill] and Felix [Scott], but also Finn Geragusian and all of our second-years involved.

“For their development – to go and experience a play-off game – it is absolutely fantastic. We had two U16s starting, and all of the substitutes were U16s coming on. That’s good for them and will put them in good stead for when they start full-time with us in the summer.”