JOSH WINDASS followed in the footsteps of his dad Dean to become a Wembley play-off hero after shooting Sheffield Wednesday into the Championship.
The midfielder clinched victory with a 123rd-minute diving header to break 10-man Barnsley’s hearts — after getting on the end of Lee Gregory’s cross.
It comes 15 years after dad Windass Snr, 54, scored Hull’s winner against Bristol City to seal promotion to the Premier League.
Windass, 29, was embraced on the pitch at the end by his old man before he climbed the Wembley steps to hold aloft the League One play-off trophy.
And his proud dad said: “It’s incredible, absolutely incredible. I told him before the game he’d get the winner. I can’t believe he actually headed it. Wow.
“I’m the proudest man in the world. I have no words.
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“I can’t believe it. He loves his football and has sacrificed his life for it since he was two years old.”
There were just FIVE SECONDS left of the three allotted three minutes of stoppages ref Tim Robinson had added.
For Wednesday, it was another glorious moment in their illustrious 155-year history as they returned to the Championship.
They had laboured against the 10 men of Barnsley after Adam Phillips was sent off four minutes into the second half and were lucky not to concede a penalty after Gregory hacked down Liam Kitching.
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But they came up with a moment of quality when it mattered most.
Yet, for Michael Duff’s side, it was cruel. They were the better team, should have had that spot kick and not been reduced to 10 men.
But Wednesday deserved promotion. Their 96 points would have normally been enough to go up automatically — but for the brilliance of champions Plymouth and runners-up Ipswich.
And then to overcome a 4-0 deficit against Peterborough after their semi-final play-off first leg to go on to win promotion is the stuff of fairytales.
Boss Darren Moore said: “It goes to show the impossible can be achieved with great belief, understanding, it’s a fairytale story.
“I’m pleased for this club because we can now prepare for the Championship with the huge fan base we’ve got so we make the right decisions internally to compete and be successful.
“This is a special and delightful moment to help this club back up. It shows when everyone comes together what can be achieved. It’s been a long journey but one that was worthwhile.”
But you have to feel for Barnsley. All the EFL play-off finals had the benefit of VAR — but you must wonder what is the point when they cannot spot obvious mistakes.
The penalty incident, in particular, was baffling.
Barnsley boss Michael Duff groaned: “It’s a cruel game.
“I’ve had enough messages on my phone to tell me the decisions were wrong. I spoke to Jobi Morris and Clinton Morrison at half time and they both said it was a penalty and not a red card.
“That adds to the frustration. I thought the red card was a booking, there was no malice or intent.
“And we’ve also not had a penalty all season and to not get one in the biggest game of all is a bug bear. You would’ve thought VAR would eradicate these things.
‘I thought we would’ve grown stronger with 10 men. It was their players who were going down with cramp.
“There were a lot of tears. They are a young group and sometimes you must learn the hard way.”
Kitching deflected a Nicky Cadden volley on to the bar with his head for Barnsley while Wednesday keeper Cameron Dawson made top stops from Cadden and James Norwood.
Tykes keeper Harry Isted produced superb saves to keep out Dominic Iorfa and Bannan.
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But Luca Connell missed a sitter for Barnsley just six yards out before Will Vaulks thought he had won it for Wednesday before celebrations were ended by an offside flag.
Then came the Windass show … and Wednesday are back in the Championship.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
