Match report: Sunderland U21 6-0 Derby County U21

10/08/2024 04:50 PM

Sunderland U21's ran riot against Derby County U21's putting six goals past the Rams in their PL2 clash at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground on Monday night.

The Black Cats went into half-time 2-0 up following goals from Tommy Watson and debutant Aaron Connolly, before second half substitute Casey Kelly tucked away his penalty soon after the break to put Sunderland three goals to the good.

In the last five minutes Sunderland wrapped the game up with three goals in quick succession from Nazariy Rusyn, Jenson Jones and a second for Watson, putting the nail in the coffin on an impressive 6-0 victory.

Sunderland U21's went into Monday's fixture winless in their last three PL2 matches, against a Derby side that beat Wolves U21's 4-1 in their most recent outing.

Watson opened the scoring after just 18 minutes, with a well taken finish on his left foot into the bottom right corner.

Only nine minutes later, debutant Connolly made it two as he latched onto Watson's through ball, before tidily finishing low under Derby goalkeeper Harley Price.

Sunderland started the second half in similar fashion to the first, with a third goal on 53 minutes through substitute Kelly from the penalty spot. After winning the penalty, Kelly stepped up and finished well into the left corner from 12 yards out.

With three minutes left to play, Jones' cross was met by the head of Rusyn who headed into the top left corner to make it four for Sunderland.

Then just minutes later Jones turned from provider to scorer with a left footed strike from inside the box to extend the lead to five.

Finally with seconds to play it was Watson again who found the net, with another left footed shot from a tight angle, beating the keeper at the near post.

A brilliant night for Sunderland U21s, topped off with three goals in five minutes in the closing stages of the game.

Next up for the Black Cats in the PL2 is Norwich U21s who sit five places above them in the table in 12th spot, whereas Derby's U21s will visit a high-flying Brighton side where they hope to get back to winning ways.

Watch all the goals from Monday's six goal thriller: