Moors’ Bede College Academy continued their excellent start to the new campaign with a 4-0 thumping of Sunderland Foundation of Light on Wednesday afternoon.
It took Ben Beals’ youngster just 9 minutes to get their noses in front when Kaden Lancaster’s incisive pass found Dwayne Ramireze who finished neatly for 1-0.
Sunderland rallied after that and made it difficult for Moors who had to wait until the stroke of half time to double their lead when Oli Sooderland tapped in from close range after the visitors failed to clear a corner.
It was 3-0 midway through the second half when Nathan Atkinson’s pass unlocked the Sunderland defence and Sean Earl fired home.
Substitute Mike Smith then produced some great play to create a fourth goal, as Ramirez swept home his second of the afternoon to complete the victory and send Moors up to second in the table.
“The lads were brilliant all afternoon,” Beals said.
“We scored four good goals, and we probably could have had more because some of our play was excellent at times.
“You can see the confidence running through the players after the start they have had to the season, so we just need to maintain the momentum now.”
Full Time: Moors 4 Sunderland FOL 0
Moors: T Smith, Earl, Porter, Fish, Simpson, Sooderland, Lancaster, Hughes, Ramirez, Young, Atkinson.
Subs: M Smith, Farnaby, Faleye, Augey.
Meanwhile, Moors New College Durham Academy side fell to a 3-2 defeat at Bridlington despite an encouraging performance away from home.
The game got off to a frustrating start when the hosts went in front inside two minutes, but Moors hit back midway through the first half when Leighton Hope latched on to a long goal kick from Jack Harriss and produced a wonderful finish.
The scores remained level into the break, but it was Bridlington who hit the front again after the restart when a great strike from outside the box, leaving Harriss with no chance.
However, Moors answered back again from a set-piece when Ethan Docherty rose highest to send a lovely glancing header beyond the keeper to open his account for the campaign.
Dolan’s youngsters couldn’t hold on though and Bridlington made it 3-2 a couple of minutes later from a set-piece of their own and, despite their best efforts, Moors could not find another equaliser.
“It was a great effort from the lads in tough conditions after a long journey,” Dolan told us afterwards.
“They applied themselves excellently and showed that they are a very good side when they are 100% focused on the game.
“Unfortunately, a little lapse in concentration has cost us from a set-piece, but I can’t ask anything more of them.
“There were some excellent individual performances against a good side, and I am sure they will bounce back next week.”
Full Time: Bridlington 3 Moors 2
Moors: Harriss, Neely, Storey, Stapleton, Dodds, Robson (Wright 75), Griffiths, Oakes (Jackson 51), Hope, Knox, Docherty.