By Tom Burton
Kinetic’s golden graduates have hit the ground running this season with performances which have caught the eye of first team managers.
David Moyes has watched on with interest as Josh Maja (pictured right) leads the line for Sunderland U23s. His brace helped the Black Cats see-off a previously undefeated Southampton side 3-1.
Maja latched onto a loose pass and coolly rounded the goalkeeper for an early goal. He headed home his second on the stroke of half-time.
The teenager, whose audacious assist against Manchester United went viral last season, is not the only Kinetic graduate making heads turn.
RJ Pingling, who signed for Burnley in the summer, scored his first goal for the Clarets in the U19’s 3-3 draw with Shrewsbury and he found the net for a second time against Preston North End.
Pingling, who also jumped up an age group to make a substitute appearance for the U21s, will be looking to build on his impressive start and catch the eye of Sean Dyche.
Meanwhile, Joe Aribo has been the linchpin in the Charlton Athletic U23 midfield and is said to be close to a first team call-up.
Aribo, known as Mr Tickle during his time at Kinetic, helped the young Addicks to a laughable 7-2 win over Coventry City.
On the club website, Aribo was said to perform a brilliant skill which ‘tied the Coventry defence in knots’ before his inch-perfect cross was helplessly headed into the wrong net by a Sky Blues defender.