Daniel Ballard described his winner of the extension as “what dreams are made” after sending Sunderland to the final of the championship qualifiers with a dramatic victory in the semi-final against Coventry City.
Sunderland led 2-1 from the first step, but it was Coventry who dominated the return to the Stade de la Lumière, the reward for their upcoming superiority when Ephron Mason-Clark leveled equality on aggregates 14 minutes from the end of normal time.
Haji Wright was wasted a golden chance to finish the turnaround at the end of the time of arrest in the second half, and this lack was finally expensive, because the resilience to the extension of Sunderland paid dividends just to death with apparently inevitable penalties.
Ballard, who was excellent in defense for Sunderland, was written in the folklore of the club in the 122nd minute, leaning over to meet the corner of Enzo Le Fee and head for the bar to win a 3-2 global victory.
Sunderland will face Sheffield United in Wembley for a place in the Premier League on May 24, after spending eight consecutive seasons outside the elite.
“This is what dreams are really made of. Today’s fans were absolutely incredible,” Ballard told Sky Sports.
“It was just the impression that it was not going to be our day and all the guys were desperate to try to give them something to celebrate.
“What dramatic final and dream dreams are made of.
“I was so nervous in this first game. He [manager Regis Le Bris] Leave Chris Mepham who was our best player all season.
“So it was a big call and I feel for him, but I am so happy that the gaffer trusts me and I hope I have reimbursed him.”
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Meanwhile, Coventry boss, Frank Lampard, was left next to what he thought was an undeserved end of the season for his side.
“First of all congratulations to Sunderland, they go to the final but immense pride that I have with my players,” Lampard told Sky Sports.
“If someone watched the two games, we dominated at home, we made a mistake and they scored. I think we dominated huge periods of this game. We played, controlled and in the second half, it was a wave after wave.
“The players gave everything from where we come from the league in December and the players were brilliant in the second half of the season.
“They must have conceded us because of how we played and with the way the guys controlled the game, they don’t deserve it. I am much older and I am much there, so I took a blow and I had success, so I can be a little more balanced in my work, but for these players, they do not deserve this.
“We are not bitter and congratulations to Sunderland, but we were the best team during the two football games and that is why they will be so happy to go to Wembley.”
