Barnsley 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday: Josh Windass wins League One play-off final in last minute of extra time

Josh Windass scored the successful aim within the League One play-off remaining with the final motion of additional time as Sheffield Wednesday beat 10-man Barnsley in essentially the most dramatic circumstances.

It was merciless on the Tykes who had been a person down because the forty ninth minute when Adam Phillips was proven a straight crimson for a poor problem on Lee Gregory.

In an action-packed interval of additional time, Isted saved brilliantly from Michael Smith and Barry Bannan and Luca Connell missed a sitter for the Reds earlier than Wednesday got here up with the most recent of late winners.

It was maybe becoming for Wednesday to win promotion in such exceptional trend given their run to this Wembley showdown.

Darren Moore’s males appeared on the right track for automated promotion with a club-record 23-game unbeaten run.

Nonetheless, that ended when the Tykes beat them 4-2 in March they usually finally completed third behind Plymouth and Ipswich with 96 factors – the very best variety of factors ever amassed to not be sufficient to go up robotically.

They then fell to a thumping 4-0 defeat within the first leg of their play-off semi-final with Peterborough to go away their promotion hopes in tatters as followers booed the staff from the pitch.

Backed by a raucous Hillsborough they surprised Posh to equalise the tie on combination with the ultimate kick of the 90 minutes within the second leg earlier than successful on penalties. It was the primary time a staff had ever overcome greater than a 2-0 deficit in a play-off semi-final.

For lengthy intervals of Monday’s League One remaining it appeared like that may be pretty much as good because it received for the Owls. However within the final seconds of the sport, Windass dived to move Gregory’s cross in powerfully and ship 44,000 Wednesday followers into pandemonium whereas breaking Barnsley hearts.

Sensible Isted lastly overwhelmed

There was little signal of the drama to come back after a primary half which had began brightly however shortly pale.

The sport got here to life after the break although, first Gregory gave the impression to be lucky to get away with a problem on Liam Kitching in his personal penalty space with VAR checking it however deciding to stay with referee Tim Robinson’s choice to not award a penalty.

Moments later Gregory and Phillips went in for a slide deal with 40 yards from Wednesday’s aim and, after taking a second, Robinson produced his crimson card for Phillips. Once more, the choice went to VAR they usually caught with Robinson’s name.

Regardless of being a person down Michael Duff’s males used the setback to push on.

Kitching deflected a Nicky Cadden volley on to the crossbar along with his head and Cameron Dawson was compelled into sensible saves by Cadden and James Norwood. Barnsley’s backline stood up comfortably to Wednesday’s lengthy balls.

After such an extended season and on a scorching day on the nationwide stadium the 2 groups may have been excused for dropping off in further time however the further 30 supplied unbelievable drama.

Luton loanee Isted, who made a very good save within the first half from Dominic Iorfa, pulled off a miraculous cease from Smith from shut vary after which received down brilliantly to show Bannan’s effort across the put up.

Kitching then charged ahead from centre-back and performed Luke Thomas in earlier than he squared for Connell on the again put up. Simply six yards out and with the aim gaping he skewed his shot broad to the disbelief of the Barnsley followers.

Wednesday substitute Will Vaulks then thought he had given the Owls the lead after half-time in further time however the celebrations had been curtailed by an offside flag.

Tykes skipper Mads Andersen produced an amazing block from Windass from shut in and that appeared to be the ultimate significant act.

Nonetheless, Windass, like father Dean, who scored the successful aim for Hull Metropolis within the Championship play-off remaining in 2008, would have the ultimate say.

Duff displays on ‘cruellest defeat’

Although it won’t really feel prefer it now, Barnsley boss Duff has loved an outstanding first marketing campaign with the membership.

The previous Burnley defender left Cheltenham to take over at Oakwell after they had been relegated from the Championship in 2021-22 following a dreadful season.

A younger however extremely organised aspect, led by means of the season and within the remaining with distinction by Danish centre-back Mads Andersen, challenged on the prime finish of the desk all yr and put collectively a run of 9 successive wins by means of to April which briefly noticed them threaten the highest two.

Duff was sad with the choice to not award his aspect a penalty for Gregory’s clumsy conflict with Kitching.

“I assumed the gamers gave all the pieces they might right now,” he mentioned.

“I’ve not seen the incidents again however I’ve had sufficient messages from everybody and I spoke to (pundits) Jobi McAnuff and Clinton Morrison, who advised me it ought to have been a penalty and should not have been a crimson card.

“I assumed it was a reserving for Adam, he mistimed it, however I do not suppose there was any malice in it. It is disappointing.

“We have not had a penalty all season after which to not get one within the greatest sport of all, when there’s VAR, is an actual bugbear.”

Duff mentioned he was unlikely to look at Windass’ successful aim again.

“There is not any assure we would have gained the penalty shoot out however it might have been a fairer technique to exit,” he added.

“It is the final kick of the sport. I’ve not seen it again and I do not suppose I ever will. It is pointless.

“I am gutted for them. I am 45, I’ve seen rather a lot and misplaced rather a lot, and that’s the cruellest means I’ve ever been overwhelmed.”

‘The expectation was big’

Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore advised Sky Sports activities:

“I am simply actually happy for everybody related with the membership, to win in that method was great.

“Coming into the sport, the expectation was big, the one technique to recover from the road was by being collectively and we had that right now.

“There was lots of curiosity [after the semi-final], however we simply wished to get again on the pitch and undergo the fundamental dynamics and simply settle them down, saying the job is not completed but. They seem to be a humble group, I am grateful to work with them.

“For the soccer membership, we do not need to stand nonetheless, we need to transfer ahead.”

Sheffield Wednesday goalscorer Josh Windass, advised Sky Sports activities:

“It is one of many fan bases within the nation. I’ve performed for a few large golf equipment however have a look at this, it is unbelievable.

“We have been good on the pitch this yr. The membership’s received lots of work to do to meet up with the opposite golf equipment off the pitch, however hopefully we will do this and begin being the large membership that we’re.”

Dean Windass, father of Josh, advised BBC Radio Sheffield:

“There is not any phrases, there isn’t any phrases. Wow. I knew he’d rating, this morning after I awoke at 5.30 I used to be nervous and even along with his head as effectively – I can not consider he is headed it.

“I am so proud for him.

“Once I scored right here I assumed my life would change. I’ve received two boys however this boy – it is unbelievable.”

Owls midfielder Barry Bannan advised Sky Sports activities:

“It is the very best second of my life, you’ll be able to see what these followers imply to us as gamers and what this membership means to me.

“Since I’ve come right here they have been nice to me and I’ve beloved each minute. I’ve all the time wished to get them again to the place they belong and we have completed that right now.

“Over the period of the season, the very best staff’s gone up by means of the play-offs. We deserved it, we received 96 factors, missed out and then you definately go once more. It reveals the character of this squad.”