Here we go again, with the Lads returning to league action at the SoL in front of a big crowd, a crowd sat in their proper seats, and there was a performance that bodes well for the rest of the season with goals from McGeady and Stewart getting us all three point - and without any fullbacks either. Imagine how we'd get in with square pegs in square holes.
With so much happening and not happening since last we sat in our own seats after once again observing our established pre-match rituals, and so many acquaintances to be re-established, we should really have started our match-day routine at around six this morning. We might have had a summer of sport to keep us occupied (Euros, Olympics, and assorted other stuff including a decent amount of friendlies) but today was the real thing. Tickets have been ordered for Port Vale, MK Dons, and Burton, season card viability checked and re-checked, match-day clothing polished or washed as appropriate (and checked for size), incoming full-backs searched for (unsuccessfully), and we were off. Plenty to talk about, including the returning Wyke, Power, and Jones in the Wigan side – a potential treble dose of Former Player Curse. Alreet, marra?
Burge
Winchester Flanagan Doyle Neil
Evans O'Nien Gooch Embleton McGeady
Gooch Stewart
..And no Jones for Wigan, while the queues outside the ticket office (queries only) necessitated a fifteen minute delay to kick-off as Patterson, Pritchard, Diamond, Hawkes, O'Brien, and Wright took to the bench. We were regaled with Z Cars and others walk-on tunes as we waited for things to start, and played "identify the coach" (Proc, Preece, Prudhoe) as a decent away following climbed to the upper North Stand.
..and at last it was the turn of Prokofiev, the flags waved, the scarves twirled, the hands clapped, and the voices roared. Hawaaaaay!
Wise Men Say ended the tunes, we headed South and Wigan huddled then kicked off proceedings.
We kept Wigan at bay during a period of pressure by flinging bodies in the way of the ball, which eventually burst when O'9 hoyed himself into a tackle near halfway. Wigan had struck the foot of the post in this spell, but we kept it out.
It went wrong on 14 when the visitors came down their right, not for the first time and after the ref had missed a clear foul on halfway, and despite us getting in the way of the initial effort, the ball was planted beyond the helpless Burge.
No matter, from the kickoff we played it to Stewart in the box and Wigan duly obliged by kicking him up in the air. A penalty that even this lop-sided ref couldn't miss, and one which Geads popped away nicely, sending the keeper the wrong way.
We were releasing the ball nice and quickly, with Gooch making inroads down the right and getting in a couple of decent crosses and we had a spot of pinball where several shots were blocked before the ball was eventually dropped in by keeper Amos.
Wigan's free kick routine, which the ref gave them plenty of opportunities to display, consisted of one of them holding the ball in the air then planting it on the ground for Power to clip in. When they didn't do this, Power was carded for taking it without permission. Get him wound up, Lads!
We had several corners, on both sides, which we varied but couldn't fashion a chance from. Our midfield of Evans, Embo, and O'9 looked comfortable and encouraged Flan to get it to the right as often as possible, from where Gooch could burrow forward. Strong defensive play on the touchline by Flan saw his opponent fling himself to the ground then flick a foot at our man - inciting Flan to grab him by the collar and presumably threaten half-time violence.
One added minute was announced as Wigan took a corner, conceded by a great Geads tackle, but we dealt with that and even had time to build an attack before going in at the break. An entertaining first 45, and a lively performance.
No changes for either side, and we started with a header over the top from Stewart after Gooch set up play by driving down the right. Another yellow came for Wigan when Evans was hauled down, then Stewart was punished when an opponent fell down near him. Hey ref, man - get a grip!
More good work by Gooch, set up by Winchester six minutes in, won us a corner on the right, and Stewart’s header seemed to take an age to bounce into the side of the net at the back post. 2-1. Yeeeha! A great reward for a positive attitude and the willingness to move the ball quickly.
Winchester was booked on 56 when he was a tad late on halfway. Put it down to over-enthusiasm, but we dealt with the free kick anyway. Evans, obviously the brother who got the muscles, seemed to be all over midfield without being noticed, if that makes sense. Quiet effectiveness, I think.
Our next attack, in the hour, probably showed too much patience as Gooch, Geads, and then Stewart looked for the perfect chance rather than have a penk.
Flan needed treatment, so the rest of the team went for a drink and a chat with the gaffer as our fans let Wyke know that he's just a poorer version of Ross Stewart - who promptly headed another right-wing cross back across the goal and wide before nipping off to get his nose unbloodied.
A free for a foul on Luke in 67 went to Flan, who played it to Gooch, and our favourite American cut inside band smacked a left-footer off the bar...so Wigan brought in Jordan Jones to have a run at Dan Neil, but spent most of his time on the field in a central position behind Wyke. Burge did well to stop a fierce shot but couldn't hold it and we had to work hard to keep our goal intact before our number one gathered the ball. Phew.
On 73, McGeady made way for O'Brien as Winchester received treatment. I didn't see that one coming, but as most of our threat was coming from the right it probably was a wise move to put an extra body in the middle. Off went Carl, in came Diamond with Gooch dropping back.
With ten to go, and an infestation of herring gulls threatening to scare people, O'Brien was the next to pass up the chance to shoot, playing a poor one back to the edge of the box from the right and allowing a Wigan boot to get in the way. Shoot, Lads!
With five to go, Wright replaced Embo as we sought to hold onto what we had - he did look tired, mind, but not as tired as the Wigan left back, who was absolutely paggered.
Unfortunately, we sat back a bit - a natural reaction with more defenders on - and when we got the ball away, there was nobody up front to receive the ball. Six added minutes were announced -six! I'll never get home at this rate - and things naturally got nervy. We are Sunderland, after all.
A great O'9 tackle ended a Wigan attack, but our break came to nothing when a pass went straight out for a goal kick. Eventually, it was over and they could play that Paint Your Wagon song.
A decent game to start the season. Man of the Match? Gooch for me, but a sound, solid game from Evans and Embo as well. Happy days.
