League One pacesetters Sunderland sealed a 1-0 win against Morecambe in the Checkatrade Trophy with Josh Maja on the score sheet again.
A 1-0 Checkatrade Trophy victor against Morecambe on Tuesday night probably won’t live too long in the memory for Sunderland fans. But could this be the game where it all began for a number of promising Black Cats youngsters?
Josh Maja scored the winner against Sunderland’s League Two opponents, firing home his tenth goal of the season, and he was far from the only teenager on the pitch.
Three players made their first-team debuts for Jack Ross’s side, Jordan Hunter (above), Jack Bainbridge and Jake Hackett. And Sunderland’s assistant coach Jamie Fowler was delighted after the game, singling out the latter duo for praise.
“For Jack Bainbridge to come in, I thought he looked like he was capable of playing at this level.” Fowler said in quotes reported by The Chronicle.
“It’s a plus for us, and then higher up the pitch Jake Hackett (below) showed that he has got ability as well.”
Both Bainbridge and Hackett have impressed for the reserves this season and should be fully aware that age means very little to the Sunderland manager.
The likes of Denver Hume, Bali Mumba and Maja (below) have been promoted to the first-team in recent months, with the 42-year-old showing that he is more than willing to give youth a chance if he feels they are ready to make the step up.
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