Legend: Kevin Ball

By The Black Cats
March 31 2009

Sunderland are in the running for three titles at this moment in time. Both the under 18's and the reserve team are in with a great chance of winning some silverware. The under-18s can clinch their league title whereas the reserves are in the running for the league title and have made it to the final of the Totesport casino league cup

The Black Cats reserve team has reached the final of the totesport casino league cup.

They overcame a difficult test in Lancashire away to Accrington Stanley.

The Lancashire side kept the scores even at 0-0 until the break but two goals from Martyn Waghorn, playing as a lone striker, sealed the win for Sunderland.

Waghorn, playing as a lone striker for most of the game, scored twice in the second half to set up a final meeting with Derby County.

But it was not easy for the Black Cats against a determined Stanley side - and a bumpy pitch made for a scrappy game.

Jordan Cook and Robbie Weir went closest for Sunderland in a forgettable first half when there was little between the sides.

Early in the game, Nick Colgan had to get down to save Sean McConville's right-foot hit from inside the box as the home side started brightly.

Neil Bailey's side got a grip of things after the break and it was no surprise when they went ahead in the 71st minute.

Winger Liam O'Mahoney went down the left and crossed for Waghorn to slot a shot into the top corner from 12 yards.

The game was into the third minute of time added on when Waghorn sealed it, shooting past keeper Zac Hibbert after breaking from the half-way line.

Just before his second goal, Waghorn tested Hibbert with a left-foot shot from outside the area.

The final will take place at Derby's Pride Park - a date is yet to be confirmed.

The Black Cats Reservers are currently six points clear at the top of the FA Premier Reserve League North, and are chasing a league and cup double.

Bringing through the youth

Sunderland's under-18s youth team, managed by Sunderland legend Kevin Ball,  will clinch the FA Premier Academy League Group D title today if they beat Barnsley at the Academy of Light  - Kick off is 1pm.

The Black Cats are 16 points clear of local rivals Newcastle, with both sides having 6 games left to play.

Ball's men, chasing a third successive league title, have won 13 of their last 14 league games.

Niall Quinn, Sunderland's chairman, has paid tribute to the job the SAFC academy staff have done.

"To win the league for a third successive year would be a remarkable achievement for them," he said.