South Shields 0-5 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland AFC’s pre-season campaign got off to a strong start with big victory against South Shields at the 1st Cloud Arena today.
The Black Cats produced a dominant display throughout, with Patrick Roberts, Trai Hume, Chris Rigg, Eliezer Mayenda and Adil Aouchiche all striking in the first 45 to seal the win.
After a fitness-fuelled 10 days of pre-season at the Academy of Light, Régis Le Bris got to see his players in match action for the first time as they stepped up their preparations for the 2024-25 Sky Bet Championship season at the Mariners.
With the order of the day to get some much-needed match minutes into the legs, Sunderland flew out of the traps and wasted no time in asserting their dominance on the game.
Romaine Mundle cracked the crossbar with an effort inside the opening 30 seconds before Roberts broke the deadlock just 90 seconds later.
Quick feet from Rigg saw him waltz past the Shields defender, his low cross was cut out but Roberts pounced as the hosts failed to clear their lines and calmly rolled the ball home.
Hume then doubled the Black Cats’ advantage on nine minutes when his deflected strike from 18 yards looped over the helpless Shields goalkeeper.
Rigg – fresh from penning a three-year contract only a matter of weeks ago – added a third on the half-hour mark. Excellent combative work from Mayenda saw him win possession on the edge of the Shields box, allowing Rigg to stride in and confidently finish.
Mayenda then got himself on the scoresheet three minutes later from the penalty spot after he was felled inside the area.
But the Black Cats weren’t done there and added a fifth on 42 minutes as Aouchiche fired home after Mayenda’s effort cannoned off the post.
Sunderland continued to dominate possession throughout the second 45 without creating too many openings as Le Bris made a host of changes on 70 minutes.
And winger Tommy Watson wasted no time in making an impression as he breezed down the left before standing up a cross towards the back post.
Rhys Walsh strode in but his volley was blocked on the line.
From there, Sunderland saw the game out as they quickly turn their attention to their second test of the day and make the short journey to Gateshead.
SAFC: Trialist, Hume (Lavery, 70), Ballard (Compton, 45) Hjelde (Bell, 70), Anderson (Bainbridge, 70), Neil (Mitchell, 70) Rigg (Kelly, 60), Roberts (Walsh, 70), Aouchiche (Jones, 70), Mundle (Watson, 70), Mayenda (Hemir, 45).