Mixed fortunes for members of Sunderland's development squad yesterday, as Mikael Mandron scored his first senior goal, Billy Knott got an assist on his Port Vale debut and Craig Lynch and Liam Marrs were released from the club.
Mikael Mandron is on loan at Fleetwood Town and after impressing and getting a couple of assists in brief appearances as a substitute, he made his full debut live on Sky away to Scunthorpe on Monday night, unfortunately he couldn't grasp that opportunity and was back on the bench for yesterday's visit of York City. Luckily he again made an impact as a sub, as he came on and scored the equaliser (if the GIF doesn't play, just click on the picture);
That was the first senior goal of the young French striker's career, a well taken striker's goal. York did go on to score a late winner against Fleetwood but it's sure to be a game Mandron remembers for the rest of his life.
Meanwhile, Billy Knott came on as substitute to make his Port Vale debut. Vale were 3-0 down away to Gillingham at the time but inspired by Knott made a late come back attempt but just fell short as they lost 3-2, with Knott getting an assist for the first from a corner.
Sunderland development squad stalwarts Craig Lynch and Liam Marrs were both quietly released from the club on transfer deadline day. Lynch and Marrs, who both came through the Academy, were looking unlikely to make it into the first team picture, although Lynch made a few appearances under Steve Bruce. Hopefully Lynch is fixed up with a club in the near future but Marrs is already having a highly successful spell at non-league Boston United.
Boston actually won 6-0 over Gainsborough Trinity yesterday, Marrs missed out due to injury, but on-loan Sunderland midfielder Liam Agnew played his best game yet for the Lincolnshire based side.