Sunderland Reserves 2 Everton Reserves 0. Take away the R word and that’s the sort of scoreline we can really enjoy.
But it was the Reserves, of course; all the same, they deserve a hearty pat on the back for a good home win that puts them top of the league.
This is from Kate Smith’s report for the official club site:
Goals from Ryan Noble and Craig Lynch secured the win for Keith Bertschin’s side as they edged past 10-man Everton.
Striker Noble scored for the fourth game in a row with a 36th-minute penalty and leading goal scorer Lynch left it late to seal the win with his eighth goal of the season in injury time.
Noble scored from the spot after being brought down by Jordan Barrow, who was then shown a red card for the challenge.
… With Sunderland temporarily down to 10 men whilst Madden received treatment, Noble was brought down in the box by Jordan Barrow. Barrow was shown a red card for the challenge and Noble was awarded a penalty.
The in-form striker – ppromite him Steve – ed – duly converted the spot-kick, sending keeper Roberts the wrong way to give Sunderland the lead and taking his goal tally to seven for the season so far.
… Knott began the second half where he had left off in the first, as a thorn in the visitors’ side.
But Everton began applying the pressure as they looked for an equaliser … It was a nervy last few minutes for the Black Cats until Lynch was rewarded for his endeavour with a well-taken goal in the 91st minute. The reserves’ top scorer ran onto a cross into the box and sent the ball past the outstretched Roberts.
* Sunderland: King, Bagnall, Adams, Wilson, Madden (Watson, 36), Laing, Lynch, Knott (Laidler, 87), R Noble, Fletcher (C), Luscombe. Subs not used: Pickford, Gorrin, Armstrong.
Why the picture of Louis Laing? Because we have one from him – that’s him in the middle – and Kate (see her full report here) did make mention of his defensive work in her report!
I just that Armstrong Junior has been denied the use of his father’s “portable hole” which he used with some aplomb. It was a very handy device which Gordon used to great effect. He’d carry it on to the field and it would allow him to completely disappear. He had several season’s use out of it.
It was never apparent how Tommy Miller got hold of the “the hole” as it had clearly been lying idle somewhere for several years before Tommy arrived from Portman Road. He got a couple of years wear out of it until he eventually disappeared completely up his own rectum (or went back to Ipswich). That may be only a scurrilous rumour as he hasn’t been seen down there since. Maybe he’s still there running about but none of their fans have clapped eyes on him for years now.
Pete, I have posted this comment at the official club site at the end of the match report:
… in the hope that an explanation may be offered.
In case anyone else wants to add a comment, the link is
http://www.safc.com/news/20110304/we-were-terrific-for-the-first-hour_2256213_2307636?
Pleased that Kate reported on the game – because none of us could actually watch it. Reserve games are swiftly developing the habit of being played at The Academy and behind closed doors. The next one, against West Ham is as well.
I could go on for hours about the state of reserve team football, but it is something which the FA need to look at and act on.
Incidentally, the Armstrong listed as sub is the son of Gordon, he of the curly perm and winning header against Chelsea in 1992.