Latest news with #Mason-Clark
North Wales Chronicle
14-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Dan Ballard's last-gasp extra-time header sends Sunderland to Wembley
The central defender struck in the third minute of stoppage time after the clock had ticked past the 120-minute mark with the aggregate score tied at 2-2 to make it 1-1 on the night and book Regis Le Bris' side a final showdown with Sheffield United on Saturday, May 24. Ephron Mason-Clark's 76th-minute volley dragged Frank Lampard's men level in the tie as the Black Cats' stubborn resistance was finally broken, to the dismay of the locals among a bumper crowd of 46,530 at the Stadium of Light, but redemption arrived in the nick of time. WE'RE GOING TO WEMBLEY!! 😍#TilTheEnd — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 13, 2025 With the LED boards surrounding the pitch significantly closer than usual to the playing surface – perhaps no coincidence with Milan van Ewijk's long throw among the visitors' armoury – the game kicked off amid thunderous noise on a night when the hosts announced their decision to name the West Stand after 1973 FA Cup-winning goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery. In a high-tempo opening, Mason-Clark warmed Anthony Patterson's hands with a well-struck 17th-minute effort, but it was opposite number Ben Wilson who had to be at his best to keep out Eliezer Mayenda's skidding attempt after he had turned Matt Grimes superbly and raced in on goal. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area after Grimes' corner had been cleared on the half-hour and Jack Rudoni missed his kick in front of goal after the home defence had failed to deal fully with a Grimes free-kick. Sakamoto skied over from Rudoni's ball back across goal and Rudoni was equally inaccurate from Mason-Clark's knock-down as an increasingly open half drew to a close with the tie as evenly-poised as it was ahead of kick-off. The Sky Blues picked up where they had left off, Sakamoto seeing a 52nd-minute strike from a Grimes corner blocked before Van Ewijk blasted the rebound wide, and although Patrick Roberts scuffed a shot harmlessly off target seven minutes later, Coventry continued to look the more likely scorers. Red and white nerves were jangling on and off the pitch, although they might have been settled had Wilson not got down at his near post to turn away Trai Hume's 67th-minute volley from Luke O'Nien's cross. The Black Cats dropped ever deeper as Coventry continued to probe, and they were made to pay with 14 minutes remaining when Mason-Clark volleyed Van Ewijk's cross in off the foot of a post to level the aggregate scores. Romaine Mundle saw his extra-time shot cleared off the line by fellow substitute Josh Eccles, but as Sunderland made their final push, Ballard crashed a header off the underside of the crossbar from Enzo Le Fee's last-ditch corner to snatch victory and keep alive his side's hopes of ending their eight-year Premier League exile.
Leader Live
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Dan Ballard's last-gasp extra-time header sends Sunderland to Wembley
The central defender struck in the third minute of stoppage time after the clock had ticked past the 120-minute mark with the aggregate score tied at 2-2 to make it 1-1 on the night and book Regis Le Bris' side a final showdown with Sheffield United on Saturday, May 24. Ephron Mason-Clark's 76th-minute volley dragged Frank Lampard's men level in the tie as the Black Cats' stubborn resistance was finally broken, to the dismay of the locals among a bumper crowd of 46,530 at the Stadium of Light, but redemption arrived in the nick of time. WE'RE GOING TO WEMBLEY!! 😍#TilTheEnd — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 13, 2025 With the LED boards surrounding the pitch significantly closer than usual to the playing surface – perhaps no coincidence with Milan van Ewijk's long throw among the visitors' armoury – the game kicked off amid thunderous noise on a night when the hosts announced their decision to name the West Stand after 1973 FA Cup-winning goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery. In a high-tempo opening, Mason-Clark warmed Anthony Patterson's hands with a well-struck 17th-minute effort, but it was opposite number Ben Wilson who had to be at his best to keep out Eliezer Mayenda's skidding attempt after he had turned Matt Grimes superbly and raced in on goal. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area after Grimes' corner had been cleared on the half-hour and Jack Rudoni missed his kick in front of goal after the home defence had failed to deal fully with a Grimes free-kick. Sakamoto skied over from Rudoni's ball back across goal and Rudoni was equally inaccurate from Mason-Clark's knock-down as an increasingly open half drew to a close with the tie as evenly-poised as it was ahead of kick-off. The Sky Blues picked up where they had left off, Sakamoto seeing a 52nd-minute strike from a Grimes corner blocked before Van Ewijk blasted the rebound wide, and although Patrick Roberts scuffed a shot harmlessly off target seven minutes later, Coventry continued to look the more likely scorers. Red and white nerves were jangling on and off the pitch, although they might have been settled had Wilson not got down at his near post to turn away Trai Hume's 67th-minute volley from Luke O'Nien's cross. The Black Cats dropped ever deeper as Coventry continued to probe, and they were made to pay with 14 minutes remaining when Mason-Clark volleyed Van Ewijk's cross in off the foot of a post to level the aggregate scores. Romaine Mundle saw his extra-time shot cleared off the line by fellow substitute Josh Eccles, but as Sunderland made their final push, Ballard crashed a header off the underside of the crossbar from Enzo Le Fee's last-ditch corner to snatch victory and keep alive his side's hopes of ending their eight-year Premier League exile.
NDTV
14-05-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Dan Ballard's Last-Gasp Goal Sends Sunderland To Play-Off Final
Sunderland reached the Championship play-off final in the most dramatic fashion as Dan Ballard's goal in the final seconds of extra-time sealed a 3-2 aggregate victory against Coventry on Tuesday. Regis Le Bris' side trailed to Ephron Mason-Clark's goal late in the second half of the semi-final second leg. But, with a penalty shoot-out moments away, Ballard headed home in stoppage-time to earn a 1-1 draw and spark wild celebrations from over 46,000 fans packed into the Stadium of Light. Sunderland will face Sheffield United in the play-off final at Wembley on May 24. United finished in third place, 14 points clear of fourth-placed Sunderland in the regular season, with both teams winning one against each other this season. Sunderland's bid to return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence -- a dark period that has included a spell in the third tier -- remains alive. But Le Bris' men will have to improve significantly on a nervous display that nearly gifted a place in the final to Coventry. Languishing in 17th place until they were revitalised when former Chelsea and Everton boss Frank Lampard took charge in November, Coventry were desperately unlucky to fall short in their promotion bid as their 24-year Premier League exile continues. Sunderland suffered five successive defeats coming into the play-offs, but they dug deep to reach the final in the most remarkable style. Having won the first leg 2-1 at Coventry on Friday, Black Cats' staff were accused of moving the advertising hoardings two metres closer to the pitch than usual, reportedly to inhibit the visitors' long throws. If that was meant to rattle Coventry, they nearly grabbed an immediate equaliser when Mason-Clark cut inside for a drive that was held by Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson. Jack Rudoni should have equalised from Mason-Clark's header just before half-time, but the midfielder poked over from inside the six-yard box. It was a similar story in the second half as Coventry kept probing intelligently and Sunderland curiously opted to sit deep inside their own half. Having defended tirelessly to keep Coventry at bay, Sunderland almost delivered the knockout blow through Trai Hume, whose volley was turned away by Ben Wilson at full stretch. But, with time running out for Coventry, Mason-Clark hauled the Sky Blues level in the 76th minute. Milan van Ewijk made a clever over-lapping run and whipped a pin-point cross into the Sunderland area for Mason-Clark to volley home from close-range. Coventry should have settled the tie when Haji Wright headed wide from five yards in the final seconds of stoppage-time. The tense extra-time period was almost over when Ballard stole the tie for Sunderland. Stooping to meet Enzo Le Fee's corner with an ungainly header, Ballard flicked the ball in via the crossbar as the stadium erupted in a frenzied celebration. Coventry's crest-fallen players slumped to their knees in despair. For Sunderland, the promotion dream lives on in the most incredible fashion. smg/nr
Glasgow Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Dan Ballard's last-gasp extra-time header sends Sunderland to Wembley
The central defender struck in the third minute of stoppage time after the clock had ticked past the 120-minute mark with the aggregate score tied at 2-2 to make it 1-1 on the night and book Regis Le Bris' side a final showdown with Sheffield United on Saturday, May 24. Ephron Mason-Clark's 76th-minute volley dragged Frank Lampard's men level in the tie as the Black Cats' stubborn resistance was finally broken, to the dismay of the locals among a bumper crowd of 46,530 at the Stadium of Light, but redemption arrived in the nick of time. With the LED boards surrounding the pitch significantly closer than usual to the playing surface – perhaps no coincidence with Milan van Ewijk's long throw among the visitors' armoury – the game kicked off amid thunderous noise on a night when the hosts announced their decision to name the West Stand after 1973 FA Cup-winning goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery. In a high-tempo opening, Mason-Clark warmed Anthony Patterson's hands with a well-struck 17th-minute effort, but it was opposite number Ben Wilson who had to be at his best to keep out Eliezer Mayenda's skidding attempt after he had turned Matt Grimes superbly and raced in on goal. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area after Grimes' corner had been cleared on the half-hour and Jack Rudoni missed his kick in front of goal after the home defence had failed to deal fully with a Grimes free-kick. Sakamoto skied over from Rudoni's ball back across goal and Rudoni was equally inaccurate from Mason-Clark's knock-down as an increasingly open half drew to a close with the tie as evenly-poised as it was ahead of kick-off. The Sky Blues picked up where they had left off, Sakamoto seeing a 52nd-minute strike from a Grimes corner blocked before Van Ewijk blasted the rebound wide, and although Patrick Roberts scuffed a shot harmlessly off target seven minutes later, Coventry continued to look the more likely scorers. Sunderland players celebrate after the game (Steve Welsh/PA) Red and white nerves were jangling on and off the pitch, although they might have been settled had Wilson not got down at his near post to turn away Trai Hume's 67th-minute volley from Luke O'Nien's cross. The Black Cats dropped ever deeper as Coventry continued to probe, and they were made to pay with 14 minutes remaining when Mason-Clark volleyed Van Ewijk's cross in off the foot of a post to level the aggregate scores. Romaine Mundle saw his extra-time shot cleared off the line by fellow substitute Josh Eccles, but as Sunderland made their final push, Ballard crashed a header off the underside of the crossbar from Enzo Le Fee's last-ditch corner to snatch victory and keep alive his side's hopes of ending their eight-year Premier League exile.
Powys County Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Dan Ballard's last-gasp extra-time header sends Sunderland to Wembley
Dan Ballard sent Sunderland into the Sky Bet Championship play-off final with a last-gasp extra-time header as Coventry's Wembley dream died on Wearside. The central defender struck in the third minute of stoppage time after the clock had ticked past the 120-minute mark with the aggregate score tied at 2-2 to make it 1-1 on the night and book Regis Le Bris' side a final showdown with Sheffield United on Saturday, May 24. Ephron Mason-Clark's 76th-minute volley dragged Frank Lampard's men level in the tie as the Black Cats' stubborn resistance was finally broken, to the dismay of the locals among a bumper crowd of 46,530 at the Stadium of Light, but redemption arrived in the nick of time. WE'RE GOING TO WEMBLEY!! 😍 #TilTheEnd — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 13, 2025 With the LED boards surrounding the pitch significantly closer than usual to the playing surface – perhaps no coincidence with Milan van Ewijk's long throw among the visitors' armoury – the game kicked off amid thunderous noise on a night when the hosts announced their decision to name the West Stand after 1973 FA Cup-winning goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery. In a high-tempo opening, Mason-Clark warmed Anthony Patterson's hands with a well-struck 17th-minute effort, but it was opposite number Ben Wilson who had to be at his best to keep out Eliezer Mayenda's skidding attempt after he had turned Matt Grimes superbly and raced in on goal. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area after Grimes' corner had been cleared on the half-hour and Jack Rudoni missed his kick in front of goal after the home defence had failed to deal fully with a Grimes free-kick. Sakamoto skied over from Rudoni's ball back across goal and Rudoni was equally inaccurate from Mason-Clark's knock-down as an increasingly open half drew to a close with the tie as evenly-poised as it was ahead of kick-off. The Sky Blues picked up where they had left off, Sakamoto seeing a 52nd-minute strike from a Grimes corner blocked before Van Ewijk blasted the rebound wide, and although Patrick Roberts scuffed a shot harmlessly off target seven minutes later, Coventry continued to look the more likely scorers. Red and white nerves were jangling on and off the pitch, although they might have been settled had Wilson not got down at his near post to turn away Trai Hume's 67th-minute volley from Luke O'Nien's cross. The Black Cats dropped ever deeper as Coventry continued to probe, and they were made to pay with 14 minutes remaining when Mason-Clark volleyed Van Ewijk's cross in off the foot of a post to level the aggregate scores. Romaine Mundle saw his extra-time shot cleared off the line by fellow substitute Josh Eccles, but as Sunderland made their final push, Ballard crashed a header off the underside of the crossbar from Enzo Le Fee's last-ditch corner to snatch victory and keep alive his side's hopes of ending their eight-year Premier League exile.
