It was a good debut for Harry Gardiner against Blyth Spartans last weekend.

After joining the non-league 24 hours earlier, Harry Gardiner scored two goals on Saturday on his debut for Blyth Spartans.

In the National League North, the striker scored twice against Bishop Stortford after completing a loan transfer from Wearside to Northumberland.

Gardiner will remain on Wearside until 2024 after agreeing to a fresh one-year contract with the team last summer. The 20-year-old will play for Blyth for the next five games against Banbury United, Gloucester City, Scarborough, Warrington Town, and Hereford. He has eight goals this season for Sunderland’s minor teams across all competitions.

After the transaction was finalized, Blyth manager Jon Shaw stated, “We’re really

happy to bring Harry Gardner in and I’d like to thank Sunderland for their

assistance getting it over the line for the weekend.”

“I’ve known Harry since he was younger; he attended South Shields Academy before Sunderland quickly signed him.”

“Back then, it was evident that he was a goal scorer, had excellent spatial awareness, and had a positive mentality.

“He has been developing for the past four years and is now a vital member of the under-21 squad. I’m excited to watch him establish himself in first-team football.”

After teammate attacker Max Thompson suffered an ankle injury in the previous season, Gardiner seized his chance in the under-21 squad. In February of that year, he was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award.

Gardiner has yet to make an impact in the starting lineup, but he attracted attention multiple times during the previous season when playing for Sunderland’s under-21 squad under Graeme Murty. He scored twice in a thrilling 4-1 victory over Stoke City.