Sunderland goalkeeper Ben Metcalf grows after 'character building' Ashington debut | OneFootball

Sunderland academy goalkeeper Ben Metcalf has rebounded from a bruising Ashington debut and earned a Northern Ireland Under-21s call-up.

Metcalf joined Northern Premier League East side Ashington last month and endured an 8-0 home defeat to newly crowned champions Redcar on debut. He was on the bench for a 2-1 loss to Emley, then put together three clean sheets before his call-up meant he missed a 1-0 defeat to Dunston UTS. According to Sunderland Echo, joint-interim manager Mark Ellison described the debut as 'character building', had intended to rest him at Emley, praised his response and integration, and suggested the Colliers could need two goalkeepers over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The 19-year-old has been a regular in Sunderland’s academy and signed his first professional contract last summer after standout Under-18s displays.

He progressed to the Under-21s this season, starting a Premier League Cup win over Norwich City in October, then making a first Premier League 2 start in a 2-0 loss at Nottingham Forest weeks later.

He was not named in Northern Ireland’s Under-21s squad for Friday’s 3-0 defeat to Germany. He will hope to win a first cap against Latvia on Tuesday before returning for Ashington’s trip to Hallam on Saturday.

Source: Sunderland Echo