Sunderland Under-17s 2, Wrexham Under-17s 0
SUNDERLAND'S second-half efforts were rewarded with a win but only after their Scottish goalkeeper Ewan McLean had kept the scores level with a brilliant 53rd-minute penalty save.
Wrexham's Morgan hit a fierce spotkick but McLean dived spectacularly low to his right, beating the ball away and keeping Sunderland in the game.
Then five minutes before time a long ball over the top by Chris Scott was cleverly controlled and volleyed home in one move high into the net by Grant Leadbitter to give Sunderland the lead. And Neil Teggart, in injury time, when he was put clean through by another incisive Scott pass, clinched a tight game for Sunderland.
Coach Kevin Richardson was admirably honest in his appraisal, saying: "I didn't think we played particularly well.
"We often went close but Wrexham were a good side."
The win provided a double celebration for Sunderland's Grant Leadbitter, Lewis Dodds and Daniel Smith who have been selected for the England Youth squads.
