Andy’s Player Ratings: Sunderland u21 4 – 2 Blackburn u21 – Whittaker Double Clinches Final Berth

Joe Cowan: 6/10

Had a couple of tidy finishes go past him early on, which he couldn’t do anything about and was mostly a spectator from then on. Did what he needed to comfortably though.

Finlay Holcroft: 7/10

Was comfortable down the right all evening, not many forays forward but kept Blackburn at bay defensively.

Alex Lienard: 6/10

Let a runner get to the byline a little too easily for the opener and couldn’t get the ball out of his feet quickly enough for the second, had a good game following those moments though and did well to block a dangerous shot with his head in the second half.

Ben Kindon: 7/10

A typically solid display at centre back and came close to getting a goal but saw his header loop onto the top of the bar.

Jenson Jones: 6/10

Was always offering himself as an option on the overlap but got beat far too easily down the left for the second goal.

Jaydon Jones: 8/10

Put the team 2-1 up with a late run into the box to get on the end of Aleksic’s cross. Had a hand in the opener too when his quick ball forward set the team away, and that was the kind of pass that troubled the visitors all night.

Harrison Jones (C): 7/10

Put the team 3-2 up with a really clever finish after Aleksic’s shot had rebounded to him and was causing Blackburn problems with his set pieces. Was subbed off at half time.

Jack Whittaker: 8/10

Scored twice on the night, the first a neat finish into the corner following a quick break and then being in the right place at the right time to finish the scoring. Buzzed around in front of the Blackburn defencing, linking the attack and midfield.

Finn Geragusian: 7/10

Looked confident, with plenty of attempted flicked passes but they often didn’t come off, particularly in the first half. Worked really hard off the ball to put defenders under pressure though, linked up well with teammates and almost scored from distance but for a good flying save by the Blackburn goalkeeper.

Milan Aleksic: 8/10

Had a hand in two of the goals, putting in a great cross that made it easy for Jaydon Jones to finish, then making a good run inside which forced a save and allowed Harrison Jones to fire home. Could easily have had more assists too, with a number of really good crosses being fired in during the first half.

Ahmed Abdullahi: 8/10

Didn’t have many chances tonight, with his best effort coming after the break when he showed good feet to get himself some space in the box but his effort was blocked. His all-round play tonight was good, brought teammates into play and looked dangerous around the box.

Substitutes

Tom Proctor: 7/10

Never stopped running after being introduced at halftime and set up the fourth goal with a good run down the right wing and then a cross that ended at the feet of Jack Whittaker.

Felix Scott: 7/10

Came on for Aleksic and carried on where the Serbian left off, causing problems with his directness down the left.

Charlie Dinsdale: 6/10

Replaced Abdullahi and had a couple of mazy runs down the right.

Archie Lightfoot: N/A

A late change after Whittaker went down with a knock.

Man of the Match: Jaydon Jones

Plenty of good performances tonight, particularly in attacking areas but my man of the match is Jaydon Jones for giving the team the base that they won the game from. Involved in two of the goals, setting up the break for the first and then making it two shortly afterwards, following a good run into the box.