Sunderland 1-1 Coventry – Match Report
Big Dan Ballard scores a towering header right at the death of extra-time to send Sunderland to Wembley for the Championship Play-off Final.
Sunderland will take on Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 24th May, with a chance of returning to the Premier League.
Ephron Mason-Clark scored in the 76th minute, with a lovely finish after getting on the end of a Van Ewijk cross to level the tie on aggregate.
Haji Wright fluffed his lines right at the death with a header from close range, which could have won it for the visitors.
Sunderland however, turned up in extra-time, after struggling to keep the ball for the first 90 minutes.
Mundle had a great opportunity early in extra-time, after some brilliant work by Chris Rigg on the right-hand side, as he cut the ball back to Mundle, who’s effort was brilliantly blocked by Josh Eccles.
Sunderland’s extra-time pressure paid off with the last touch of the match.
Enzo Le Fee’s corner was perfect for Dan Ballard on the front post, who towered above the Coventry defenders, and glanced the ball off the bar to send the Sunderland fans into a frenzy.
It was all Dan Ballard deserved, as he was absolutely immense in both legs, and for him to come back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines to take Sunderland to Wembley, it really is the stuff dreams are made of.
One more game, this means everything and only Sheffield United stand in our way in our quest to get back to where we belong.
MoTM – Dan Ballard
