Match Report U23's 2-1 winners against Reading

Sunderland Under-23s 2-1 Reading Under-23s

Sunderland Under-23s sealed a fifth win in six games with victory against Reading Under-23s today.

First-half goals from Dan Neil and Josh Hawkes either side of Femi Azeez’s strike was enough to claim the win at the Academy of Light.

Remi Matthews and Jake Vokins both featured, with the latter playing a pre-planned 45 minutes as he continues his comeback from Covid-19.

Captain Dan Neil was also in from the off, with top goalscorer Josh Hawkes supporting Will Harris up front.

Sunderland started brightly and went close early on when Harris struck the inside of the post after good work down the right from Stephen Wearne, and their pressure paid off moments later as Neil nodded home Josh Hawkes’ corner to claim the lead.

In the eighth minute, though, Reading were on level terms as Remi Matthews couldn’t keep out Azeez’s shot from distance.

On the 20-minute mark, the Lads were back ahead as Hawkes curled an effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Hawkes almost had his second and the team’s third before the break, but his goalbound half-volley was blocked.

Reading saw more of the possession after the interval, but failed to muster any notable attempts at Matthews’ goal.

The Lads did have chances on the break through Harris and Hawkes, but James Holden in the Reading net kept them at bay.

The result takes the Under-23s up to sixth in the table, with a trip to Stoke City up next.

Sunderland: Matthews, K Richardson, Almond, B Taylor, Vokins (E Taylor 46), Wearne, Wilding, Trialist (Hackett 76), Neil, Harris, Hawkes

Subs not used: A Richardson, Beaumont, Wombwell