The second finalist for this season’s Checkatrade Trophy Final has been confirmed after Sunderland came away from the Memorial Stadium with a 2-0 win to seal a meeting with Portsmouth at Wembley.
The first goal wasn’t scoreline until the 42nd minute when Will Grigg fired home past keeper Jack Bonham inside the area.
Two minutes into the second half, the Black Cats found their second through Lewis Morgan – who got his first goal for the club – to producing jubilant scenes from the 1,800 travelling fans with some urged to break out of the stand beside the players celebrating.
Watch both those goals in the videos below…
42′ BRISTOL ROVERS 0-1 SUNDERLAND
Will Grigg! ?
A true striker's finish from Grigg, who gives Sunderland the lead before the half!
Follow our live blog here: https://t.co/xafxAfnIsI pic.twitter.com/kHaHTnuiXG
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 5, 2019
47′ BRISTOL ROVERS 0-2 SUNDERLAND
Are Sunderland on their way to Wembley?
Lewis Morgan follows up to fire a rebound into the corner and double the lead.
Follow our live blog here: https://t.co/34oJxrOoNf pic.twitter.com/IPCRLz8tdF
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 5, 2019
Tell me ma, me ma! ?#WontBeHomeForTea #SAFC pic.twitter.com/nCLXE5jGiF
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) March 5, 2019
George Honeyman said after being asked if he was a proud captain tonight: “I am, we’ve got a fantastic squad of players, fantastic backroom staff and you know the club has been through some tough times in the last few years and hopefully back to repaying the favour.
Will Grigg said after being told about how big the club and what it means getting to Wembley: “Absolutely, from the first day at the club, it’s an unbelievable football club with an unbelievable history. You know, we just want to get them back to where it belongs.
“I thought we showed tonight we took it really seriously, we want to get to Wembley and we want to win that trophy.
About his first goal from open play and was it the perfect time to get it: “Thanks for that. No, er yeah, it’s been coming to be honest, I score goals, so I proved that tonight and it was a great ball from Max so if I’m in those areas I score, it’s nice to get that one.”
To George about how big of a step this was for the club and is this a big step along the way: “Yes, we’ve had a really big thing about installing a winning mentality back at the club and what ever competition we’re in, we want to go on and win. Obviously, it’s a game at Wembley and it’s the final and we want that trophy.
When the interviewer asked George what would it mean to the area: “It will be carnage and it good and as you know it will be cheesy chips on the way to Wembley.
Grigg added: “I won’t on the way but will on the way back.”
Following the result, football fans took to both club’s result tweets to give their thoughts – take a look at what they had to say on the next page.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login