Sunderland reserves tonight let three goals in to lose to West Brom reserves at The Archibalds Stadium in Durham.
Sunderland applied the early pressure but the Baggies gradually got their teeth into the game with Scottish international Sekou Berthe scoring on 32 minutes.
Berthe had another goal ruled as offside shortly afterwards, and Rob Elvins narrowly missed getting the Baggies’ second when his shot hit the underside of the crossbar.
Defender Adam Chambers finally got that second goal just before half time and Smikle made it three for the visitors early in the second half.
The Baggies’ reserves boss Gary Shelton said, “For the first 10-15 minutes we looked sluggish. With a bit more luck, we could have scored more.”
Tonight’s loss leaves Jocky Scott’s side second from bottom of the Reserves’ League with only one win in eight games.
