| Hourihane Whirls Black Cats Through In Cup |
PNE U18s 0 Sunderland U18s 1 (AET)
An extra time goal from Conor Hourihane sent Sunderland through to the FA Youth Cup Fifth round to break Preston hearts at a rain-soaked Deepdale.
A spirited Preston had the better of the opening against the Premier League Academy side; the ever-impressive Danny Mayor forcing Sunderland's keeper, Michal Misiewicz, into a decent low save early on.
The home side had the best chance of the opening period, with Ryan McGreevy later firing straight at the Black Cats' keeper.
But, as the half progressed, Sunderland began to take control of proceedings and only several fine stops from keeper Jack Cudworth denied them from taking the lead.
A lower tempo second half was short of chances, with North End understandably beginning to tire having not played a competitive fixture in over a month. They survived a warning shot as Blair Adams' shot shuddered against the post while substitute Liam O'Mahoney also forced North End's oldest player, Cudworth, into two crucial saves.
With goals not forthcoming within the first 90 minutes of play, half chances at either end within the opening moments of the added period brought the excitement levels up once again, but it also spelt the end of Preston's hopes as Sunderland snatched what proved to be their winner within seven minutes of the re-start.
The impressive Liam Noble split the North End defence with a lovely ball from half way, and having been well shackled all night by the PNE defence, he took his first genuine opening of the night with aplomb, running into the space created by the pass and curling the ball past the otherwise unbeatable Cudworth.
Backed by a raucous crowd of 565, North End pressed hard for an equaliser and were harshly denied the chance to take the game to the lottery of a penalty shoot-out when skipper Tom Smyth missed a close range chance by a matter of inches in the final minute.
Preston can take heart from a spirited display, but it's the Mackems who progress to the fifth round tie at home to either Wolves or Arsenal.
Preston U18s: Jack Cudworth (gk), Conor McLaughlin, Phil Quirk, George Miller (Tom Owens, 84), Tom Smyth (capt), Dominic Collins, Danny Mayor, Adam Barton, Ryan McGreevy (Scott Davidson, 97), Neil Dougan, Sam Hart (Jamie Proctor, 66).
Subs not used; Ciaron Barton, Ben Proctor (gk).
Sunderland U18s; Michal Misiewicz (gk), Liam Bagnall, David Brown, Liam Noble, Dan Madden (capt), Joe Cornforth, Adam Slegg (Liam O'Mahoney, 78), Adam Reed (Louis Laing, 93), Andrew Galer (Liam Hubbuck, 78), Conor Hourihane, Blair Adams.
Subs not used; Nathan Wilson, Ben Wilson (gk).
Referee: Peter Bankes
Assistants: G Dinsmore, M Hanley.
Fourth Official: M J Parry.
Date:14/01/2009 |
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