The Black Cats struck late to condemn Posh U21s to defeat in Premier League Cup.
Posh U21s suffered a late heartbreak in the Premier League Cup on Monday evening as Sunderland U21s netted deep into stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory at Eppleton CW in the second game of the group stage phase.
The Black Cats, who compete at Premier League 2 level, opened the scoring early in the second half after a fantastic free-kick from Ellis Taylor before Kai Corbett brought the scores level on 75 minutes from the penalty spot. Posh found themselves down to 10-men with ten minutes left on the clock after Torin Ntege picked up two yellow cards and the hosts capitalised on the player advantage, Henry Fieldson scoring in the sixth minute of injury-time.
Luis Hemir came close to breaking the deadlock on four minutes as a low cross picked out The Black Cats forward on the edge of the six-yard box, but he sent his effort over the bar. Posh’s first opportunity fell to the Trialist on the left area of the box, but his effort was comfortable for the goalkeeper.
Fynn Talley was called into action on 11 minutes, reacting quickly to get down low to push an effort away after a low free-kick was flicked on at the near-post. After a quiet 25-minute period in the game, which saw Hisham Chiha and Harry Titchmarsh both cautioned, the Trialist forced the hosts’ goalkeeper into a low save after some patient build-up play on the edge of the box.
The hosts started the half strongly but continued to fail to test Talley, Michael Spellman was inches away from breaking the deadlock as his effort from the edge of the box went just wide of the post before Henry Fieldson's curling effort from a quick corner went straight into the hands of the Posh goalkeeper.
It needed a moment of quality for the deadlock to be broken at Eppleton CW and it was exactly that on 57 minutes as Taylor fired home a free-kick from around 25 yards out to give the hosts the lead. Posh made their first change just a minute later as Torin Ntege replaced the Trialist.
Kai Corbett was inches away from finding the equaliser on 76 minutes as his curling free-kick, from around 30 yards out, dropped just wide of the post. Posh found the leveller just a minute later as Roddy McGlinchey was brought down inside the box, Corbett stepped up and fired his spot-kick down the middle.
Posh found themselves down to 10-men for the final 10 minutes of the game after Torin Ntege was shown a red card after second bookable offence. The hosts searched for a late winner as their Trialist flicked on a corner at the near-post, but could only guide his header wide of the far-post.
However, it was late heartbreak in the Premier League Cup once again for Posh, with the hosts netting the winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Taylor’s free-kick into the box was met by Fieldson and his powerful header found the back of the net.
Posh XI: Talley, Dornelly (Fox, 73min), Dreyer, Fernandez, Powell, Chiha, Titchmarsh (McGlinchey, 67min), O’Brien-Brady (Van Lier, 73min), Corbett, Trialist (Ntege, 58min), Overton.
Subs Not Used: West.