Match Report: Newcastle Benfield 4-2 Sunderland West End

Newcastle Benfield progressed to the third round of the Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup after defeating Sunderland West End 4-2 at Sam Smith’s Park. 

Goals from Albie Mcpate, Joseph Thompson and Alfa Djalo were enough to see Benfield progress. 

This was The Lions’ first game in four weeks after having several games called off due to the weather. 

Sunderland West End started the game on the front foot and took the lead inside 10 minutes after a shot saved by Benfield keeper Jack Rye fell to Dionicio Aranda, who was able to tap home and make it 1-0. 

Benfield nearly equalised straight away after Elliot Smith won the ball back high up the pitch, he pulled the ball back to Andre Bennett, but his effort was well saved by Joe Foale, low to his left. 

It was Sunderland West End who were to score next however, after Liam Appleby got in behind and pulled off an audacious lob to double the lead. 

The lead could’ve extended to three just before the half-hour mark after West End hit the woodwork from a corner. 

The Lions started the second half strong and in the 60th minute halved the deficit when Thompson pulled the ball back to Mcpate, who found the bottom corner. 

Ten minutes later the game was level. West End failed to clear their lines from a corner and Thompson was in the right place at the right time to tap it home. 

Benfield continued to push forward and took the lead in the 85th minute after some really good work down the left saw the ball pulled back to Djalo, who slotted home. 

West End pushed for an equaliser in injury time and sent their keeper up for a corner, which was cleared, leaving substitute, Mcpate, an empty goal to pass into, grabbing his brace and securing a 4-2 win for Benfield.