Colcack (left) and Waghorn both played in the 3-1 defeat at Villa Park

Sunderland reserve team captain Jack Colback believes the squad will learn much from the Premier Reserve League play-off defeat by Aston Villa.

The Northern League champions went down to a 3-1 loss at the hands of Southern League winners at Villa Park on Thursday evening.

"Playing at a venue like this it's fantastic, a great experience for us," Colback, 19, told BBC Newcastle.

"If we want to push on we'll be playing at places like this so it's great."

Striker Martyn Waghorn has faced a number of challenges during the last season, from facing Chelsea with the Black Cats, to a spell on loan relegated Championship side Charlton Athletic and firing the reserves to their North division title.

And the 19-year-old admitted it has been a unusual campaign with a bittersweet end.

"It's been a very different season, struggling with Charlton and it's been a massive learning curve," he said.

"I've enjoyed it, I'm gutted the season's come to an end, I'm going away and have been called up to the England Under-19 squad so I've got another three or four games there.

"It's disappointing but I'm looking forward to relaxing and coming back stronger again next season."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version