Andy’s Player Ratings: Sunderland u21 1 – 2 Burnley u21 – Cup Final Heartache For Black Cats

Joe Cowan: 6/10

Didn’t have a chance with either goal, both being good finishes, but was sharply off his line after the break to prevent a third. Very little to do for the rest of the game.

Archie Lightfoot**:** 6/10

Tried to get forward but was rarely picked out, on the one occasion he got into a dangerous position his cross into Abdullahi was well defended.

Finlay Holcroft**: 6/10**

Did well to get a foot onto a dangerous cross just before the break but unfortunately it fell to a Burnley man who stroked home.

Ben Kindon: 5/10

Got beaten down the line for the opening goal, defended well after that but got very scrappy near the end.

Jenson Jones: 5/10

Had one good burst forward, driving past two Burnley players and playing in Abdullahi in the box but his shot was tipped onto the post. A bit too passive on the ball in the first half, looking to pass backwards on almost every occasion.

Jaydon Jones: 5/10

A quiet game from Jaydon, he struggled to make an impact, other than one first half shot that went comfortably wide on the stroke of half time.

Harrison Jones (C): 5/10

His corners improved as the game wore on but the set pieces were all over the place in the first half. Couldn’t impose himself, with balls often going astray. Did have one really good first half lay off to Abdullahi but that was as good as it got for him.

Charlie Dinsdale: 5/10

Was always positive down the right wing but his decision making often let him down.

Milan Aleksic: 6/10

Tired badly but really should have scored tonight, had multiple good chances but just couldn’t find the back of the net. Was sent away for a one-on-one with the Burnley goalkeeper but dallied, which allowed Welsh international Connor Roberts to clear, curled a great effort onto the post in the second half and headed just wide from a Jenson Jones cross.

Jack Whittaker: 6/10

The ball stuck to his feet when he was in possession but he was always a bit too far away from the Burnley goal to have a real effect in dangerous areas.

Ahmed Abdullahi: 6/10

Just like Aleksic, he had chances to score but didn’t have his shooting boots on. Linked up play well, setting Aleksic away from the one-on-one but then fired at the goalkeeper when he had won the ball in the Burnley box, had another shot inside the box well blocked and forced the goalkeeper to tip his effort onto the post.

Substitutes

Tom Proctor**: 6/10**

Came on and was hit and miss as we tried to get back into the game but did provide the pass that led to our goal.

Felix Scott**: 6/10**

Scored almost immediately after coming on with a superbly taken goal but couldn’t get into the game after scoring.

Marcus Neill**:** N/A

Came on for Abdullahi late in the game and barely had a touch.

Man of the Match: Milan Aleksic

There was almost as much bad as good from Aleksic today, with balls going awry and visibly tiring late on, but he was always putting himself into positions to make something happen. Whether it was a quick throughball to start a counter attack, getting on the end of a throughball himself or having plenty of chances to find the back of the net. If he had his shooting boots on the game would have been won.