Source: Northern_Echo
Darlington 0 Sunderland 1
Darlington 0 Sunderland 1[LNB] AFTER seeing his star-studded team struggle for over 80 minutes to break down a resolute Darlington defence, Sunderland assistant manager Eric Black backed Mark Cooper's side for promotion this coming season.[LNB] But the Black Cats are counting the cost of Saturday's trip to The Northern Echo Arena after Lee Cattermole's groin injury further exposed their central midfield resources.[LNB] The Teessider is expected to see a specialist this week to ensure he is fit for the Premier League kick-off on August14, but Cattermole's latest problem will prompt Steve Bruce to step up his search for reinforcements, with moves for Wigan's Paul Scharner and Stephen Ireland of Manchester City under consideration.[LNB] A nicely controlled shot by substitute Bolo Zenden handed the Premier League club victory but up until that point Darren Bent, Kenwyne Jones and the rest of Sunderland's highly-paid squad had been frustrated by Cooper's disciplined side.[LNB] Nine new faces have joined Darlington during the summer but already they appear to play like a team who understand their roles.[LNB] Goalkeeper Sam Russell and striker Liam Hatch were the pick and if Hatch had managed to connect with a Dominik Werling cross just after the restart the home side could have been on course to embarrass their illustrious North-East neighbours.[LNB] Zenden's strike was just desserts for Sunderland, who dominated proceedings without hitting their stride, but if Darlington can replicate this type of endeavour in the Blue Square Bet Premier then an immediate return to the Football League looks on the cards.[LNB] Black said: I thought Darlington did really well. I know Mark and spoke to him before the game, he's really delighted with the opportunity he's been given. I'm sure he'll do well.[LNB] Like everybody else we're keen to see them up at the top of the league and challenging to come straight back up.[LNB] He'll get them organised, as we saw on Saturday. He's really enthusiastic, he'll get them playing.[LNB] At times the game resembled a training exercise as Cooper's men drilled their defensive tactics while Sunderland piled forward in numbers.[LNB] Bent should have had a hattrick.[LNB] His best effort, a snap shot on the turn from five yards, cannoned off the crossbar prompting jibes from the home support who reckoned Emile Heskey would have done better.[LNB] But the Sunderland striker looked in remarkably good shape considering he only returned to training last week.[LNB] The blow of failing to make Fabio Capello's World Cup squad may have hurt Bent's pride but a summer of rest has left him refreshed and eager to prove a point.[LNB] Fraizer Campbell and Jordan Henderson also looked lively, but their best efforts were thwarted by the excellent Russell, with Paul Arnison and Danny Hone making vital blocks.[LNB] At the other end, Hatch gave Sunderland a fright after only two minutes but his drive flew wide of Trevor Carson's upright.[LNB] Both sides suffered injury scares. After only 18 minutes Chris Senior limped off after a clash with George McCartney left him nursing a sore ankle.[LNB] More puzzling was the sight of Cattermole walking down the tunnel after ten minutes to eventually be replaced by Ahmed Al Muhammadi, whose pace on the right flank offered the travelling supporters a few thrills.[LNB] Black played down Cattermole's niggling groin injury, but with Lorik Cana joining Galatasaray and David Meyler recovering from a serious knee problem, the Black Cats' central midfield resources look perilously thin.[LNB] Kieran Richardson operated alongside Henderson for the remainder of the game but the former Manchester United player again failed to offer a convincing argument that he can make that berth his own.[LNB] Michael Brough and former Black Cat Jamie Chandler ensured the visitors had a tough work out.[LNB] Black added: Unfortunately, after ten minutes Lee felt a re-occurrence of his injury and there was obviously no point in trying to persist with him. Iy has dragged on a little bit but I think we're getting close to solving the problem and hopefully in the next four or five days we'll know where we are. We may send him to see someone on Monday.[LNB] Cooper was delighted to see his side cope with top-flight opposition.[LNB] You look at their bench and they've got the likes of Zenden and Kenwyne Jones to call on, which speaks volumes for the difference in terms of resource, he said.[LNB] I was really pleased with the players. I thought we showed everything that we worked on in terms of organisation and the shape of the team.[LNB] You know when you play against a Premier League team they are going to have a lot of the ball, .[LNB] But I thought the lads gave a very good account of themselves, we showed great discipline,[LNB] added Cooper, who fielded trialists Joe Cornforth (Sunderland) and Ashley Porter (Middlesbrough).[LNB] Referee: Colin Webster Attendance: 5,625 DARLINGTON (4-4-2): Russell; Arnison, Hone, Miller (Cornforth 58), Werling (Porter 68); Senior (Moore 18), Chandler (Hopson 79), Brough, J Gray (Main 46); Hatch (McReady 73), Wright (Smith 68).[LNB] Subs (not used): Thompson, Burn, P Gray SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Carson (Mignolet 46); Bardsley (Weir 84), Turner, Kilgallon (Ferdinand 62), McCartney (Liddle 46); Henderson, Richardson (Colbeck 46), Cattermole (Al-Muhammadi 29), Malbranque (Zenden 62); Campbell (Tounkara 79), Bent (Jones 62).[LNB] Former Darlington midfielder Jeff Smith scored for Aberdeen while on trial in a 3- 1 defeat by Highland League side Fraserborough.[LNB]
