Premier Reserve League – North
A double from Sunderland old boy Danny Dichio helped to condemn Jocky Scott’s Sunderland reserve team to a 4-1 defeat at The Hawthorns tonight.
Deech has failed to score for the Baggies’ senior team so far this season and has not played the full 90 minutes in any of his team’s league matches so far in 03/04, starting from the bench in the last three. But he had no problems in finding the back of the net in tonight’s game, once in each half.
Sunderland defender Joachim Bjorklund had a clash of heads with Dichio in only the second minute of the match – which resulted in Bjorklund being unable to take any further part in the proceedings, and Dichio needing treatment which saw him miss several minutes’ action before being reintroduced.
Bjorklund was subbed by Chris Scott and Dichio took full advantage of the disruption to the Lads’ defensive line, netting for the Baggies after 19 minutes.
The goal prompted a Sunderland comeback with Michael Proctor and Neil Teggart both trying to find a way past the Baggies’ Irish international goalie Joe Murphy shortly afterwards, but unsuccessfully.
Michael Ingham blocked a shot by Lee Hughes to see the Lads go in at the break 1-0 down, under the watchful eye of Mick McCarthy.
Sunderland came out fired up after the break and almost immediately Michael Proctor pulled one back to equal the score up. Albion however responded straight away and within 8 minutes had resumed their lead, courtesy of a Ronnie Wallwork cross to Lee Hughes which found its target.
With only 20 minutes remaining, the Baggies increased the advantage again, Dichio’s second goal of the evening from 16 yards out.
Lee Hughes grabbed his second goal of the evening with only two minutes of play remaining, volleying home from 20 yards into the top right-hand corner of Ingham’s net.
Sunderland: Ingham – Clark, Babb, Bjorklund (Scott, 2), James – Black, Leadbitter, Dickman, Smith – Teggart, Proctor.
Subs not used: McLean, Collins, Dodds, Taylor.
Goals: Proctor, 47
Ref: G Sutton (Lincoln)