Sunderland youngster heading to Wembley final following penalty shootout

Even if Sunderland can't get to the Championship play-offs, one Black Cats player is off to Wembley this season.

Michael Graham | Feb 22, 2023

Sunderland youngster heading to Wembley final following penalty shootout /

Sunderland youngster Jay Matete will get the chance to play in a Wembley final this season after Plymouth won their EFL Trophy semi-final.

Matete did not start the game against Cheltenham, but he featured as a 69th-minute substitute in the game.

The tie actually went to penalties at Home Park following a 1-1 draw, although Matete was not needed in the shootout as Cheltenham missed their last three spot-kicks to send Plymouth to Wembley.

Although the midfielder did not start the game, he has been involved in all nine of Plymouth’s matches since joining from Sunderland on loan. Six of those have been starts, so there is a very good chance he will get the nod at Wembley.

Plymouth will play either Accrington or Bolton in the final, with their semi scheduled for Wednesday night.

"I think all our fans deserve it,” Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher said. “We are the best supported team, the best fans in the country in my opinion, who travel so far over huge distances to come and watch us play every week.

"The away support is incredible. The home fans this season have been outstanding, and they deserve a day out at Wembley.

"It's only the third time in the club's history so hopefully we go and enjoy it, and we put on a good performance and try and win the trophy.

"I can't wait. It's going to be such a special occasion. To be only the third manager of Argyle to lead their team out at Wembley is something I'm incredibly proud of.

"To see the Green Army right behind the goal, whatever end we are, it's going to be something I will never forget.

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Published Feb 22, 2023

MICHAEL GRAHAM

Michael Graham is a professional sports writer with more than ten years of industry experience. After pursuing football writing by helping establish the Roker Report Sunderland AFC fansite, Michael moved to Planet Sport to cover football. Michael has since worked on many of the sports sites within the Planet Sport network, including Football365, TEAMtalk and Planet Football before leaving to join 90min. As well as football, Michael is an accomplished tennis writer and has been regularly featured on Tennishead, TennisBuzz and Tennis365. It is football that is his first love, though, with Sunderland AFC his particular passion. Contact: michael@buzzpublishing.co.uk