Sunderland U21s 1 Blackburn U21s 2

Sunderland suffered successive defeats in the Premier League two as they lost to Blackburn at Eppleton CW yesterday evening.

Despite several chances for Sunderland, it was Blackburn who scored first through James Edmondson. The visitors then earned themselves a second from the spot through Isaac Dunn while Tom Proctor’s goal 10 minutes later was only a consolation for the Black Cats. Alan Browne was sent off in the final minute of normal time.

Sunderland went into the game off the back of a derby day defeat at St James’ park last time out. Matt Craddock was proud of his side despite the defeat and wanted the tempo from last week to be carried on going forward.

Craddock welcomed first team players Alan Browne and Juan Angulo into his starting XI while Trey Orgunsuyi was absent from the squad completely. Timur Tutierov was all left out after their inclusion into the Europa League squad yesterday.

Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Florent Ghisolfi were both in attendance for the game.

Felix Scott saw the first real chance of the game. A cut back from Tom Proctor found him in space on the edge of the box, he faked the first time shot which created an opening but his goal bound strike was headered clear.

But after 20 minutes the home side were trailing, Alfie Mcllroy drove up field after winning the ball back from a Sunderland corner. He cut the ball back to Edmondson and he calmly slotted it past Isaac Allan to earn the visitors the lead against the run of play.

Scott squandered a great chance to see Sunderland back on level terms with under half an hour played. He won the ball back high up the pitch but with Sunderland two-on-one his pass square to Angulo was over hit and the number nine’s strike was into the side netting.

Sunderland had several chances to get themselves level again.  Archie Lightfoot’s strike on the edge of the box, flashed over the bar. While Browne had a great chance when Scott crossed the ball from the left flank straight onto his head but the header was straight at Jack Thompson in goal.

But despite the chances for the home side, the visitors could have been two in front. A loose pass from Sunderland at the back saw Harvey Higgins in on goal but he skied the chance. They came close again through Frank Vare, his strike from a narrow angle was pushed over the bar by Allan.

Within seconds of the restart, Blackburn were two in front. Allan was unable to get to a poor back pass with Higgins beating him to it, earning his side a penalty. Dunn stepped up for the visitors and slotted it into the bottom corner.

Sunderland fought back and got themselves back into the game with Tom Proctor 10 minutes later. A driven run from Jenson Jones to the edge of the box gave Proctor space on the edge of the box and he made the most of it, rifling the ball into the bottom corner.

The home side almost levelled the game but they were prevented by a great double save by Thompson, preventing two strikes from Jack Whittaker to keep his side in front.

With Sunderland pushing hard, Blackburn were able to counter and almost earned themselves a third. Higgins was played in behind with only Allan to beat but his shot was off target to keeping the Black Cats in the game

In the final five minutes, Blackburn had a great chance to seal the three points through Yerime Ouattara, but his strike from inside the six-yard box was skied over the bar.

With only added time remaining, Browne was sent off after earning two yellow cards in the space of seconds, one for pulling his man back and the other for kicking the ball away.

Full Time 1-2.