Sunderland ride their luck to end 48-year trophy drought
There are some things you never lose and, even at the age of 34, Aiden Mcgeady can still spot a pass, threading one through the narrowest of gaps to send Lynden Gooch to score the goal that secured Sunderland their first trophy for 48 years.
It may only be the Papa John’s Trophy, the largely unloved competition that pits the teams from Leagues One and Two against Premier League development squads, but after so many setbacks, false dawns and seven successive defeats at Wembley, this was a moment to savour for manager Lee Johnson.
The celebrations, had fans been allowed to travel to London, would have been spectacular but, even in lockdown, supporters conditioned for disappointment could enjoy themselves with promotion to the Championship also in their sights.
And they have Mcgeady to thank. Picking the ball up inside his own half, he drove forward and with Gooch pointing where he wanted the ball to be, Mcgeady put it there with the perfect speed for the United States international to run on to before finishing with a lifted finish over goalkeeper Scott Davies.
“I’ve been at this club since I was a 10-year-old and this means so much,” said Gooch, who made his debut for League One Sunderland when they were still a Premier League outfit under David Moyes.
“It’s a massive moment. The manager has energised us, we are always looking to play on the front foot and hopefully we can follow this up with promotion.”
There was a lot to admire in Tranmere. They contained Sunderland well, with Mcgeady and Chris Maguire unable to find any space. Other than a tame header by Charlie Wyke, a deflected shot from Maguire and a botched header by former Tranmere player Max Power, they did not offer much threat.
Tranmere were not merely content to shut out Sunderland and it was Black Cats goalkeeper Lee Burge who made the best save of the half. Paul Lewis’s effort deflected off Grant Leadbitter and was dropping under the crossbar as Burge frantically back-peddled to make the save, dropping the ball rather than carry it across the goal-line, before gathering it again.
The former Coventry City goalkeeper made another important intervention, punching the ball clear almost off the forehead of Lewis before Josh Scowen made a goalsaving block to deny Danny Lloyd.
No wonder the League Two side began confidently after the break and they fashioned the best chance early on when Otis Khan wriggled free down the right side of the area, only to see his shot well saved by Burge.
That drew a response from Sunderland, Mcgeady putting the ball across the six-yard box, but Wyke failed to get a telling touch. It was a sign of what was to come.
Tranmere, though, came back at them. Only Manchester City have won more games this year than Keith Hill’s side and substitute Corey Blackett-taylor dribbled into the area and forced another save from Burge.
“We took this competition seriously and we have just fallen a little bit short today,” Hill said. “The scoreboard doesn’t lie, but it doesn’t mean we are losers, we can be inspired to go on and win promotion. I’m so proud of everyone.”