www.safc.com/news/team-news/2019/april/rochdale/match-report-v-rochdaleHoneyman and Wyke strike in big win at RochdaleRochdale 1-2 Sunderland
George Honeyman scored a dramatic 89th minute winner over Rochdale to hand Sunderland what could prove to be a pivotal result in their quest for automatic promotion.
The hosts took the lead through an Ian Henderson tap in on 28 minutes and went into the break 1-0 up.
Sunderland equalised through a much-deserved Charlie Wyke goal on 56 minutes as he fired a shot into the bottom left corner.
It looked like the game could be heading for a draw, but the skipper, Honeyman, produced a goal when it mattered most in the 89th minute to give Sunderland a precious three points.
Results elsewhere leave the Black Cats in third place but level with Barnsley after they lost 3-1 away at Burton Albion – Sunderland of course have two games in hand on the Tykes.
The game began quietly with neither side really able to get a foothold on the early proceedings, but it was the away side that had the first sight of goal as Dylan McGeouch saw a long-range effort easily saved by Rochdale stopper Joshua Lillis in the sixth minute.
Nine minutes later, Sunderland very nearly did have the lead after some great work from Lynden Gooch on the right side. He whipped a ball into the area and Wyke saw his headed effort clawed out the top corner by Lillis.
However, it was the home side who took the lead with their first shot on target.
Ethan Ebanks-Landell started a great move down the right side and his cross was slightly overhit but Joseph Bunney was able to steer the ball back into the area for Rochdale captain Henderson to tap in with 28 minutes on the clock.
Rochdale nearly added a second goal in the 35th minute as Oliver Rathbone fired a 25-yard volley just wide of McLaughlin’s right post.
The final chance of the half fell to the Black Cats as Luke O’Nien teed up Max Power for an effort just outside the area – but his shot was tipped past the post by the impressive Lillis.
Sunderland looked the far stronger side to start the second half and their pressure was rewarded in the 56th minute when Denver Hume fed Wyke who turned his defender and fired a superb strike into the bottom right corner.
Moment later, in the 59th minute, Sunderland were nearly ahead as substitute Honeyman got down the right side and played a ball across goal for Grigg, however the striker could not control it and the hosts cleared.
At the other end, Rochdale nearly took the lead themselves as Jack Baldwin’s clearance nearly went into his own net, but the Sunderland stopper tipped over magnificently.
Rochdale managed to wrestle themselves back into the game after that early second half Sunderland pressure, and they were nearly rewarded with a goal as Henderson saw his cross flicker just past the post.
Henderson was at the centre of everything for the hosts and he nearly put them ahead on 75 minutes, but he saw his close-range header saved my McLaughlin.
In the 82nd minute, Sunderland nearly went ahead through McGeouch. O’Nien made his way through the Dale defence and played a ball across goal for the midfielder who fired well over the bar.
Four minutes later, the visitor’s continued to pile on the pressure through a series of corners and free kicks, but the closest they came was through a tame Tom Flanagan header that was well saved by Lillis.
Sunderland’s persistence finally paid off in the 89th minute as O’Nien played a low cross across goal for Honeyman who tapped it in past Lillis to send the near 4,000 away fans into raptures.
The job wasn’t done there though, as six minutes were added at the end of the game, nevertheless Jack Ross’ men were able to hold on for a precious three points.
Rochdale: Lillis, McLaughlin, Ntlhe, McNulty, Ebanks-Landell, Camps, Rathbone, Done (Dooley 65), Wilbraham (Williams 69), Bunney, Henderson © (Inman 80)
Subs not used: Wade, MJ Williams, Keohane, Hamilton
Sunderland: McLaughlin, O’Nien, Baldwin, Flanagan, Hume (Oviedo 61), Power©, McGeouch, Gooch (Honeyman 32), Morgan (Sterling 78), Wyke, Grigg
Subs not used: Ruiter, Leadbitter, Ozturk, Dunne
