People often talk about the relentless nature of the Championship these days, although back in 1996 the second tier could be every bit as demanding. Peter Reid’s Sunderland found this out for themselves during a hectic period that included a long slog to Portsmouth and back, followed by a midweek test against Ipswich Town, and hot on the heels of that was another home game – Luton Town taking the Lads on as the fixture list showed no signs of easing off.
The trip to Fratton Park had ended with a late
Lee Howey leveller whilst a solitary strike from Craig Russell was enough to see off the Tractor Boys 1-0. It was to be the first of a string of important victories as the club pushed for promotion and the tight nature of the encounter summed up where the team’s strengths lay; solid at the back, and clinical when they did create chances, the approach was very clearly ‘safety first’.
Unlike some of Reid’s subsequent sides the team were not always that adventurous, meaning that on this occasion the Hatters needed to lend them a hand, but for a supporter base used to seeing their favourites treading water at best over recent seasons these successful tactics were proving to be a welcome novelty. Their hopes for another encouraging result against Luton had been strengthened by the return from injury of Martin Scott, a key part of the defensive stability but also a threat going the other way, and it was his early involvement that helped set the tone.
Forced to attack the Fulwell End in the first half, Scott played a smart ball up field to Michael Gray as the Lads began on the front foot. Whilst the attempt was hacked clear it showed that Sunderland were going to try and be a bit more forward thinking, and in the exchanges that came after Russell’s pace was giving the visitors a number of problems. A superb Shay Given save, backed up by Andy Melville’s fast thinking clearance, did prevent Luton from taking what would have been a shock lead, but it otherwise was the hosts that were knocking loudest.
Kevin Ball was a matter of inches from opening the scoring with a flying header and then moments after Julian James thought he would show him how it was done – only he was facing his own goal at the time and so powered Gray’s cross past his incredulous teammate Tony Feuer in nets. Once ahead, Sunderland looked comfortable for the main part, although Given was called into action on a couple of occasions still as the youngster continued to see his burgeoning profile grow.
Terry Cooke, making what would prove to be his final appearance for the club (his loan was due to expire and despite Reid approaching Alex Ferguson that weekend asking to extend the deal, Manchester United opted to take the winger back), was a constant threat after the break whilst Michael Bridges, on the bench ahead of the transfer listed (at his own request) Phil Gray, also looked sharp when he came on in the closing stages. Neither was able to fashion another goal though, and when Given produced a tremendous late double save to protect the lead those watching on were reminded that the win hadn’t quite been sewn up just yet.
There were to be no last-minute dramas thankfully however, as the Lads held firm once again and ended the afternoon in 3rd place in Division One, a point behind Charlton Athletic in the second automatic promotion spot. It was a handy place to be but there was no time to dwell, with the fixtures continued to come thick and fast and another long away day to Southend United due in the coming days…
Saturday 24 February 1996
Endsleigh League Division One
Sunderland 1 (James OG 38’)
Luton Town 0
Sunderland: Given; Kubicki, Ord, Melville, Scott; Mi. Gray, Ball, Bracewell, Cooke; Russell, Howey (Bridges 72’) Unused: Agnew, Hall
Roker Park, attendance 16 693
