Sunderland keeper Ben Metcalf moves on from character-building Ashington loan start | OneFootball

Sunderland goalkeeper Ben Metcalf has steadied himself on loan at Ashington after a bruising debut, impressing in the Northern Premier League East.

According to Sunderland Echo, Ashington joint-interim manager Mark Ellison called that opening game character building. He said he spoke with Sunderland’s Jonny Maddison and planned to leave the 19-year-old out against Emley to protect him.

Metcalf, 19, signed his first professional deal last summer after standout Under-18s displays. He stepped up to the Under-21s, starting a Premier League Cup win over Norwich City in October, then made his Premier League 2 bow in a 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest weeks later.

He joined the Colliers last month and endured an 8-0 home loss to newly crowned NPL East champions Redcar Athletic on debut. Named on the bench for a 2-1 defeat to Emley soon after, he responded with three consecutive clean sheets.

He then received a maiden Northern Ireland Under-21s call-up, though he was not selected for the 3-0 loss to Germany on Friday and missed Ashington’s 1-0 defeat to Dunston UTS. Ellison said Metcalf was devastated to miss that game, was delighted with the call-up, praised his recent form and dressing-room fit, and added he thought two goalkeepers would be needed with six matches left, particularly over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Metcalf will hope to win his first Under-21s cap against Latvia on Tuesday before returning for Ashington’s trip to Hallam on Saturday.

Source: Sunderland Echo