Despite early pressure from City, it was Sunderland who took the lead in the fifth minute through a Trey Ogunsuyi strike.
Wilkinson’s side remained focused on the objective at hand and after relentless probing and prodding, it was Ashton Muir who drew City level on the brink of half-time with an effortless finish.
It was City’s substitutes who made the difference in front of goal in the second half with their fresh legs and desire which gave the boys in blue a much-needed boost to secure all three points.
Matty Warhurst’s close-range effort on 71 minutes put us ahead before Brooklyn Nfonkeu confirmed victory and extended our impressive run as we enter the business end of the season.
WHAT HAPPENED
In a bright and sunny Sunderland, City were looking to emulate the beautiful weather with a quick and energetic start.
City’s striker, Luca Fletcher, looked to rattle the hosts in the opening minutes as he went through one-on-one with their goalkeeper Daniel Cameron.
The City number nine was unfortunate to not see his effort bulge the back of the net and the same went for Farid Alfa-Ruprecht who also saw his rebounded shot blocked by Cameron.
But, in the fifth minute, and in their first attack of the game, it was the hosts who took the lead. Quick thinking saw a through ball played into the path of Trey Ogunsuyi who was able to slot the ball past Jack Wint.
Five minutes later Divine Mukasa looked to help Wilkinson’s side level the playing field with a ranged effort set for goal but Cameron denied the 16-year-old with a sublime save.
On 38 minutes, Sunderland looked to punish City’s high line with a chance of their own. Had it not been for Wint’s composed save, the hosts would have doubled their lead.
As the Black Cats continued to try and maintain the ball, City were able to steal the ball from them and counter quickly in numbers.
Alfa-Ruprecht’s pinpoint cross from the right into the opposition box was met by Muir who saw his effort fly into the top left corner to draw City level four minutes before the break.
The second half began with the hosts enjoying a short stint with the ball. Wint was called into action to deny Sunderland taking the lead again and their chance acted as a wake-up call for City who needed to stay focused for the entirety of the second half that was to come.
The 40 minutes left to play proved to be a scruffy affair with yellow cards shown to both teams as players looked to ruin the rhythm of the opposition.
Once again City showed patience and persistence would pay off as Wilkinson’s side looked to switch play a handful of times before initiating an attack.
It was beautiful play again by Alfa-Ruprecht on the right flank that Sunderland couldn’t handle. And this time the 17-year-old’s cross was tapped home by substitute Matty Warhurst to give City the lead for the first time in the match on 71 minutes.
Another City substitute, this time Brookyln Nfonkeu then sealed all three points and another victory on the road.
His right footed shot from the centre of the box a minute before full-time saw the boys in blue celebrate another vital win in our title fight.
HOW WE LINED UP
Jack Wint returns to the starting 11 in goal with a defensive four of Matty Henderson-Hall, Kian Noble, Seb Naylor and Divine Mukasa.
In City’s engine room, Femi Fapetu was deployed as a six with skipper Jaden Heskey and Justin Oboavwoduo deployed either side.
Our attacking line was led by Luca Fletcher with Farid Alfa-Ruprecht and Ashton Muir looking to attack the wings.
SUNDERLAND XI | Cameron (Metcalf 46’), Sekete, Parker (Bell 46’), Jones, Kindon, Beattie (Neild 70’), Creamer (Geragusian 62’), Mitchell, Ogunsuyi, Whittaker, Walsh (Obolo 46’)
UNUSED SUBS | N/A
CITY XI | Wint, Henderson-Hall, Noble, Naylor, Mukasa (Nfonkeu ’77), Fapetu, Alfa-Ruprecht (Braithwaite), Oboavwoduo, Fletcher (Warhurst 64’), Heskey ©, Muir (Thomas 90+2’)
UNUSED SUBS | Brits
WHAT IT MEANS
With Manchester United’s win over Blackburn Rovers, City remain 10 points behind the league leaders but have two games in hand.
UP NEXT
Ben Wilkinson’s side are tasked with another away trip but not until Saturday 6 April.
We travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers for a 12:30 (UK) kick-off as we look to resume our fight for the Under-18 Premier League North title following the international break.
Next Fixture
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