"The crowd were excellent - it is always good when people back you," says the striker after the Sunderland draw
Marvin Sordell was delighted to get his opportunity in front of the Reebok crowd, and believes the Trotters were unfortunate not to claim victory against Sunderland in the third round of the FA Cup.
The striker’s 48th-minute header doubled Wanderers’ advantage after Chung-Yong Lee had given the Whites a first-half lead, but goals from Connor Wickham and Craig Gardner salvaged a draw for Martin O’Neill’s side.
Sordell was pleased to get his chance in Dougie Freedman’s starting line-up, and hopes his first start under the new boss will lead to many more.
“I am pleased to score and to have played my part, but after being 2-0 up naturally we wanted to see the game out, but credit to Sunderland,” Sordell said speaking after the final whistle.
“I thought that we had some good momentum and were on the front foot but sometimes there is nothing you can do to prevent a side coming back into a game. Their second goal was a great strike and I thought our defence did really well to keep them at bay for the majority of the game.
“I think we could have won the game but we can’t be too disappointed as it was a very good performance. At the end of the day it is a good result and hopefully today was the first of many more goals to come for myself.
“I am glad that I got my goal. It was good chance for me to show the fans what I can do and it was good to have a positive performance. The crowd were excellent - it is always good when people back you and I just want to do well and score more goals for this club.
“I have been working hard at the training ground to make my way back into the team. I just tried to get in the right areas and hoped that something would come my way and luckily it did in the second half.
“For the goal, the corner came in and the keeper came out to punch it away. I ran towards to ball thinking it will come to me and it did and I just managed to help it on its way into the net. It was just an instinctive finish and luckily no one was on the post and it went in.
“I just want to now try and keep my head down and work hard. That is what the manager has spoken to me about. He has told me if I continue to work hard then I will get my opportunity.”