Sunderland cruised to a comfortable four nil victory against Hartlepool United in their first match of their Central League Cup campaign. Anton Ferdinand made his first competitive start in a red and white shirt and put in a very comfortable 60 minutes, rarely troubled by Pool’s second string.

The Lads lined up with Hartley partnering Anton in the middle and young David Brown given the left back berth with Michael Liddle busy on international duty. Chandler and Captain Fantastic Jack Colback were paired together in the middle with Meyler playing deeper covering the back four, leaving Henderson and Cook to support Dowson out on point.

Henderson’s first major contribution, other than some choice expletives after giving the ball away (and right in front of his mam as well), was a 22 yard free kick straight at Budtz, but the Dane wasn’t Great and spilled it right in front of Dowson but he did just enough to smoother it second time round.

The lads took the lead just before the quarter hour mark when a good ball in by Kay saw Dowson get his head to it, but just as I was about to berate him for not leaving it to the on rushing Cook coming in behind, up comes Jack the lad fully David Platting it with a run timed to perfection to sweep the ball into the net. I knew all along that Dowse knew what he was doing.

Meyler’s holding role seemed to suit his style of play much more than his previous appearances for the reserves and gave Jack the Biscuit licence to rampage forward more and indeed his rampaging saw him intercept a Pool pass, drive forward with pace and lay a good ball on to Dowse who drove home with his right foot beating Budtz just after the half hour mark. 2-0

Minutes later, Chandler did well to get a flick on whilst under assault from Hartlepool’s back-line and Dowson’s lovely reverse flick over his shoulder played in Henderson in space and he fancied a Hollywood one from distance but the keeper just got back in time.

On 38 minutes, Dowson and Henderson combined well together again and whilst the latter’s shot was again well saved, guess who was on hand to stroke the ball home from close range? Jack the man.

A minute later and the best moment of skill of the night as Henderson received a pacey ball span whilst dragging the ball back and seeing the keeper again well forward bent a beautiful ball in from just over 20 yards. Again the keeper back peddled fast and just got there to stop what would have been a Bergkampesque beauty. It even had Keane applauding and you know how hard it is to get him excited, even his wife will tell you that.

Colback then saw his drive from the edge of the box just deflected wide for a corner before Pool had their first real chance of the half when Anton cleared off his goal line in the dying seconds.

H/T 3-0 to the Lads

The first chance of the second half came on 53 minutes when Henderson floated in a lovely ball and Dowse saw his glancing header go just wide of the far post. Moments later and after another trade mark burst from Jack, Henderson saw his shot well saved and Chandler put his effort wide as the ball pinged back suddenly at him.

In a rare breakaway by Pool, David Brown timed a sliding tackle deep inside his own box to perfection and had the composure to get up and emerge with the ball and cleared calmly – composure beyond his years from Browny who grew in confidence as the match wore on.

With ten minutes to go, Mat Robson over hit a back pass at Budtz whilst under pressure from Dowson and it was a poor decision on such a greasy surface as it shot under Budtz’s foot straight into the back of the net. It would have been funny but for the fact that England take on Croatia on Wednesday night and it brought back nightmares of Paul Robinson – I hope that’s not a bad omen. It was pretty much what Pool deserved as despite acquitting themselves well in the first half, they began to get a bit naughty on and off the ball as the match wore on and the referee started to lose a grip.

Meyler was substituted for Ryan Noble as he visibly tired but it has to be said it was marked improvement by Douglas after last week’s heavy leaded performance against the barcodes. A quick mention for young Nobser who only played ten minutes but made the most of his opportunity eagerly manipulating the ball in the middle of the park to good advantage – yet another good midfielder for the future if he keeps working hard under the superb tutelage of Bally.

Budtz again made up for his part in the fourth goal when he superbly tipped Dowson’s effort round the post and then deep into injury time did well again to smoother Luscombe’s powerful effort. So there you go a resounding win and a whole report without mentioning a monkey once – there yer gan.

Full Time: Sunderland Reserves 4 – 0 Hartlepool Monkeyheeds

Sunderland: Colgan, Kay, Ferdinand (McArdle), Hartley, Brown, Henderson (Luscombe), Chandler, Colback, Meyler (L Noble), Dowson, Cook

Subs Unused: Wilson, Brown, Reed,

Man of the Match: At the risk of being predictable Jack the Lad, how long before he sneaks onto the seven-man bench?

Attendance: 460

Dov

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