match report: Darlington 0, Sunderland 4
Richardson & Malbranque
By The Black Cats
July 17 2009
Sunderland started the new season with an emphatic 4-0 win away to local team Darlington. The friendly match was played to help generate cash for the money stricken Quakers.
"It's nice to get up and running with a win, and it was
the manner of it, too," said Bruce.
"We introduced some of the younger players and I think the
fans enjoyed seeing them. I'd like to say thank-you to
the fans as well - they came down in numbers for a pre-season
friendly and that's terrific.
"The fans are one of the reasons why I came here; it's terrific to see the support we've got. It's a horrible, horrible night but they've come down the road and supported their team and I think they'll go away pleased."
But Bruce revealed he has concerns regarding the injury to Paul McShane.
McShane headed home the third goal but limped off soon after with a nasty-looking knee injury.
With the trips to Portugal and Amsterdam looming, Bruce will be
keeping his fingers crossed that the defender will be able to shrug
off the knock.
"It was disappointing to pick up an injury and it doesn't
look overly good for Paul. We hope the scans won't be too
bad, but we won't know for the next 24-48 hours.
"It looks like a cartilage problem but we'll have to see
how he is."
Bruce used all his outfield substitutes as he grasped the opportunity to make an early check on all the resources at his disposal.
With almost 4,000 Sunderland fans at the match, the Black Cats were two goals up by the halfway mark thanks to a deflected effort from Andy Reid and Kieran Richardson's tap in after a mistake from the Quakers goalie.
Paul McShane's header and a late goal from Roy O'Donovan rounded off a productive evening ahead of Saturday's trip to Portugal and gave Bruce a decent look at what he currently has to work with.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Ha'way ha'way ha'way!
