SAFC – THIS WEEK IN 1983
Chris Turner produced a magniicent series of saves to ensure a club record haul of six successive league clean sheets for Sunderland – and a memorable double over European Cup holders Aston Villa.
But the 2-0 Division One victory at Roker Park was far from a one-man show as veteran striker Frank Worthington crowned a thoroughly entertaining Sunderland display with a tremendous second goal – despite clearly being well short of full fitness.
Villa, preparing to face Barcelona in the Super Cup, were left dumbfounded by Turner’s excellence, as the former Sheffield Wednesday keeper followed shut-outs against Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Notts County with another clean sheet.
He was alert from start to finish behind a solid defence, and made particularly outstanding stops to deny the lively Mark Walters and Peter Withe.
Ken McNaught’s unlucky own goal put Sunderland ahead on 27 minutes, following a free-kick from debutant Leighton James.
Worthington clinched the win, driving past Nigel Spink after Turner’s long kick was nodded down by Colin West.
Boss Alan Durban enthused: “It is incredible to think that we have equalled the club record when our central defenders against Villa were Ian Atkins, who was playing centre-forward for a Second Division side last season, and Gordon Chisholm, who has played mainly in midfield.”