Sunderland winger Patrick Roberts reckons the Black Cats desire was what dragged them over the line in their nail-biting 2-1 aggregate League One play-off semi final win over Sheffield Wednesday. Roberts and Co travelled to Hillsborough on Monday night with a 1-0 lead on aggregate knowing they would be in for a tough clash against Darren Moore's Wednesday.
Neither side were able to find the back of the net until Hillsborough erupted on 74 minutes when striker Lee Gregory turned in Marvin Johnson's superb cross, giving the hosts all the momentum heading into the final stages of the contest. However, Sunderland would not be denied their trip to Wembley. In stoppage time, winger Jack Clarke got onto the end of a Danny Batth long ball on the left hand side.
The winger, on loan from Spurs, burned his way past Jordan Storey, crossing the ball into the path of the oncoming Roberts cutting in from the other wing, with the latter's finish slipping between Wednesday keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell's legs, sending the travelling Sunderland fans into rapturous scenes.
And speaking to Sky Sports in the immediate aftermath, Roberts, who joined Sunderland in January, believes Sunderland's grit and determination were what helped them secure their spot in the League One play-off final, where they will face Wycombe Wanderers.
"We just had to keep believing, keep going and sticking in there," said Roberts. "We knew it would be tough coming here, it was tough for them going to our place. We had to dig in, find that extra bit of energy that’s in there that’s been there for the last few weeks, carry us over the line and thankfully we had that at the end. We made them pay. We’ve got the quality to do that, we held on, got our goal and we’re delighted."
Roberts' goal was his second for the Black Cats. Given the magnitude of the goal, it could be the most important of the wingers career, with Sunderland now having the opportunity to get out of League One and back up to the Championship at the fourth time of asking.
"I’ve had a few opportunities in the past few weeks and you know you’ve just got to be in there," added Roberts. "There are tired legs, obviously two days in between the games. You know, just the energy we had to get up the pitch and they pressed us back a bit. Clarky [Jack Clarke] did great on the left, skipped his man and if I get in there, put it on target, any chance is going in there. Thankfully it did and what a time to do it."
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