Oldham Athletic’s youth team fell to defeat away at Sunderland courtesy of a Connor Slack double and further goals from Dan Neil and Ryan Leonard.
Captain Harry Norris did make the game 2-1 at one point, but it wasn’t to be on the night for the Latics youngsters.
Sunderland controlled the opening exchanges and Slack forced goalkeeper Ellis Allen into a smart stop.
However, Slack had his goal with a slice of luck as Sunderland played some neat football in the Latics half, but as the pass come through to Slack, he looked in an offside position.
Nevertheless, the Sunderland youngster stuck the ball into the back of the net, before a minute later Neil doubled the lead, finishing from the edge of the box into the corner.
Latics almost pulled one back before half time after a free flowing 20 pass move saw Jack Williams cross for Max Norman who was inches away from connecting.
Oldham did have one back in the second half as Captain Norris jumped higher than goalkeeper Adam Cameron to head home a lifeline.
However, Leonard restored the two-goal lead as he took it into the box and finished smartly past Ellis.
Sunderland had a fourth as Latics pressed forward as Leonard pulled it back to Slack to score.
Slack had an opportunity to grab his hat-trick from the penalty spot, but Ellis saved well to his right.
Sunderland U18
Cameron, Evans ©, Howard, Scothern, Edmundsson, Ord (Derbali 79’), Gooch (Devine 85’), Neil, Slack, Best (Bell 58’), Leonard
Oldham Athletic U18
Allen, Swarby-Nevin, Hackett (Leech 79’), Gaskell (Pickford 69’), Norris ©, Grundy, Baldwin, Sherrif (Amankwaa 45’), Norman, Scholes-Beard, Williams