On this day in 2023 Sunderland secured the final Championship play off spot after a 3-0 win away to Preston and some drama elsewhere. Here's Sobs' match report from that day.
On an afternoon of high drama and ridiculously complicated possibilities, the Lads, my bonny Lads, produced a second half performance that was as good as you'll see anywhere. 3-0, other results went one way and another until it was all over and, incredibly, we'd made our second consecutive playoffs.
Anyway, having spent Sunday in a blindingly sunny Blackpool, it was sort of reassuring to get damp in Preston. One of their fans in the Market Tavern said if Blackburn were winning and our game was 0-0 he'd run on in last minute and score for us. Nice lad
In our pale blue away kit, we faced away from our support and Joff started proceedings. Rory Delap's bairn had a great chance for PNE as they sort of got the upper hand after the opening few minutes, but he fired wide, and Patto had to do his job well to keep the home side out as they settled earlier and created a few chances. However, we were the side winning the corners and free kicks, and Neil curled a shot just wide before Joff, then Gooch, got on the end of good moves but missed the target when they should really have scored.
There were three added minutes in which the rain really came down, so there was a mad dash out the back for shelter on the whistle after a half in which we should have been at least two up. It might have been dry, but you could hardly breathe for tabs and vapes.
No Cirkin for the second half, with Pritch coming on, so Gooch went to left back as we went a) three or less at the back, and b) for broke. All of which basically meant all-out attack, and Preston simply couldn't cope with it. The opener looked inevitable when Ekwah burst into the box, but he fired into Woodman's face rather than dink it over him. Damn.
Ten minutes into a half in which the home side had barely got a kick, Amad got onto the loose ball when another nice passing move broke down and simply curled it up and over Woodman. Marvellous, just marvellous, and Pritch gestured to our fans "what's the other scores?" We couldn't help him.
To be honest, that just about fettled the Lilywhites, as you could see their heads go down. It was as wet as an otter's pocket out there, with spray coming up whenever the ball landed, but we were controlling things. We knocked it around at the back, they half-heartedly chased with no hope of getting there, and we patiently waited for openings to set Clarke or Roberts away down the sides.
Pritch then took a pass from the marauding Clarke on the edge, gave Woodman the eye, and fired into the other corner as their keeper stood stock still. Still half an hour to go, and it wasn't going to get any better for the home side.
Clarke telegraphed exactly what he was going to do, but they still let him do it and he duly stepped inside and curled it low into the far corner. A triumvirate of superb finishes, it really was. Then roars and cheers kept erupting as the ever-changing scores from Boro and Bermondsey kept coming in.
Gooch went off paggered, reducing our number of out and out defenders to one, replaced by Anderson, getting it back up to two. Gelhardt, Ekwah, and Amad made way for Lihadji, Ba, and Michut but we were basically passing the home side to death and they looked like they just wanted their beds. Another couple of goals would not have been unfair on them, and they must have been sick when four added minutes were announced.
The whistle went, the other results were already in but were at last confirmed, and we had at least another two games to add to an incredible season. The players naturally celebrated in front of us, with Luke singing along and Mogga holding his distance but displaying a grin wider than the world's proudest dad. As well he should, as he's worked nothing short of a miracle with the division's youngest side, shorn of a centre forward, a captain in central midfield, and a string of central defenders.
We were applauded off by home fans and players alike, which was really nice. It was well worth getting wet in row 2 to see three quality finishes from a few yards, and it was even nicer to be up close and personal for the post -match nonsense. Top marks also to the stewards, who looked after things with a smile on their faces - and rain capes, the jammy buggers.
Man of the Match? No weak links at all today, but for me Ekwah was outstanding - he grows in stature with every game and could (should) have a bonny career ahead of him. Hopefully on Wearside. He gets my nod.
Off we went to plodge back to the Guild pub and some outstanding craic with PNE lads -even if they did say I was getting a tad ahead of myself when I said our pale blue kit and passing style made us look like Man City.
For the record - 62% possession, and only one foul to their eighteen.
This team never cease to amaze, disappoint, frustrate, delight, surprise - ah, man, just think of more descriptive words. I've run out today just emphasised all that's good about being a Sunderland fan. Even when wet, drunded, as we say in Bish - now let's get back to Blackpool and give it some celebration.
...and get drunded for a second time on the way back to the hotel. It's only watter.
