Sunderland U18s 4-1 Brighton U18s: Black Cats cruise to victory to reach FA Youth Cup quarter-finals

Sunderland’s Under-18s comfortably beat Brighton in the FA Youth Cup last night to reach the quarter finals at Eppleton CW, in which they play Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Goals from Tom Proctor, Marcus Neill and a double from Finn Geragusian were enough to see themselves into the next round, despite a second-half red-card from Charlie Forsyth and a consolation goal from Tyler Silsby.

Sunderland went into the game following an impressive victory in the fourth round, where they beat West Bromwich Albion on penalties despite being down to nine men.

With less than 10 minutes played, Bayley Hester produced the first chance, but his long-range shot was tipped wide by Brighton goalkeeper, Liam Doyle.

From the resulting corner, Sunderland took the lead when Tom Proctor’s cross looped over Doyle and fell into the net directly from the set piece.

Sunderland doubled their lead with a brilliant counter-attack with just 20 minutes played. Hester won the ball back and Charlie Dinsdale produced a great pass after skipping past a couple of tackles to Proctor on the flank, whose cut-back found Neill in plenty of space and he smashed it into the corner of the net.

The Black Cats extended their lead to three with another blistering counter attack. Liam Hunt won the ball back high up the pitch before slotting Geragusian in, and his shot bounced of the post and into the net.

Following the third goal, Brighton looked much more attacking as they searched a way back into the game – having a hat-trick of efforts on the Sunderland goal in quick succession. Adam Brett’s shot from close range was straight at Cowan, while Henry Kasvosve’s shot from inside the six-yard line had the same fait, before Tyler Silsby tried his luck with a shot from just outside the box but it didn’t trouble the Sunderland keeper. 

With half an hour still to play, Sunderland were down to 10 when Charlie Forsyth pulled back Kasvosve on the half way line, earning himself a second yellow.

Brighton earned one back with 20 minutes still to play when Brett scored a rebound from close range after Silsby’s strike was spilled by Cowan.

With 10 minutes still to play, Brighton hit the frame of the goal through substitute Bailey Palmer, as his powerful strike beat Cowan but was stopped by the woodwork.

Sunderland got their fourth with five minutes left when Geragusian thumped the ball home from close range, following Lightfoot’s powerful effort being spilled straight into the number nine’s feet.

Dinsdale almost earned Sunderland a fifth with an incredible solo run that saw him dance past numerous tackles and into the box, but his shot was straight at Doyle. 

The win saw the Wearsiders progress further than they have gone in the FA Youth Cup since Jordan Henderson’s side in 2007-08 season.