AFC Fylde's youngsters create history with FA Youth Cup defeat of Sunderland

Goals from Sam Birch, Rhys Long and Maine Walder put Fylde in charge before Jonathan Krakue pulled one back.

Three red cards were also awarded to the visitors but they didn’t detract from a superb Fylde performance.

The game began in a nervy fashion but Sunderland were the first to threaten as Jay Turner-Cook saw Aaron Lancaster off his line but his 30-yard effort bounced onto the roof of the net.

Fylde settled and started to find their rhythm with Adam Richardson quick to deal with the danger after Birch found Curtis Poole at the back post.

Sunderland then went down to 10 men as Ryan Gooch was sent off for a challenge on Long, giving the home side the confidence to push more bodies forward.

Fylde took a 28th minute lead when Birch’s attempted cross somehow dropped over the keeper and into the net.

Six minutes later, Long doubled the lead with a driven effort into the corner.

Harry Jones’ goalline clearance meant it stayed 2-0 at the break, after which Fylde’s Theo Ball hit the post and Sunderland the bar.

However, Fylde scored again when Poole’s cross was glanced home by Walder.

Sunderland skipper Josh Baggs hit the bar from 30 yards and James Foster was denied by an offside flag before Krakue headed home on 76 minutes.

In the aftermath, Sunderland tried to grab the ball off Lancaster to restart play but Baggs raised his hands and left the referee with no choice but to send him off.

Late on, the visitors saw the referee brandish a third red card for another late, mistimed challenge.

Victory sees Fylde’s youngsters travel to Cambridge United in the next round, which must be played by Saturday, December 12.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 per month for the first two months. Try us today by clicking here