Local derby ends in draw as Owls disappoint again

Wednesday's poor form in the league continued as relegation tipped Rotherham United held the Owls to a 1-1 draw at Milmoor. It was a result that preserved Wednesday's 25 year unbeaten record over the Millers, but little did it help Peter Shreeves in his aim to swing Wednesday's fortunes around.

Rotherham have found life hard going in Division One since being promoted last season, and are expected to drop down straight away. Wednesday may follow if things don't start happening around Hillsborough. There was still no sign of Ian Hendon or Gerald Sibon, whilst Efan Ekoku's injury will keep him out for another month at least.

Shreeves stayed with a similar looking Owls line-up, with Argentinian striker Pablo Bonvin getting the nod over Italian Michele Di Piedi to partner Tommy Johnson upfront. Ashley Westwood started at the back with Danny Maddix, as he continues his return to action following a long-term injury.

The opening moments of the local derby was dominated by a confident looking Wednesday side, but they failed to create any clear cut opportunites in or around the Rotherham box. In typical derby fashion there were early bookings dished out by the referee, as so to stamp his authority down on what was expected to be a physical affair.

In thw 18th minute the Millers nearly went ahead. Wednesday's inability to clear from set-pieces was again their downfall, this time Mark Robins' header came back off the post after the Owls had failed to clear the ball from a corner kick.

Chances were few and far between in this one - and with eleven minutes before half-time the Owls found the back of the Millers net, only for it to be ruled offside. Tommy Johnson's left-foot shot was parried by Mike Pollitt in the Rotherham goal, and Pablo Bonvin was on hand to head the ball home from six yards. Sadly, the linesman already had his flag raised on the far side.

Just before the half-time break both teams were given chances to break the deadlock, but neither could. Firstly both Monkhouse and Robins failed to beat Pressman in the Wednesday goal, and then right on half-time both Johnson and Bonvin kept Pollitt on his toes with fine efforts.

Half-time: Rotherham 0-0 Owls

Eleven minutes before half-time the Owls had found the back of the net, eleven minutes after half-time Rotherham foudn the back of the Wednesday net, and this time is counted. Millers' captain Kevin Watson swung in a corner and Martin McIntosh was there to glance a header past both Pressman and defender on the Wednesday goaline.

Rotherham had fought hard for their goal but their lead wasn't to last. Ashley Westwood scored his first of the season in the 68th minute as Wednesday drew level. Again the goal came from a corner, this time it was Alan Quinn's deep cross that found Westwood, who in turn was able to steer a powerful header past Pollitt.

In the 72nd minute Wednesday should have been 2-1 up. Tommy Johnson broke through the Rotherham defence but was denied by another good Pollitt save. Westwood's equaliser had given the visitors a massive boost, and Shreeves would have been hoping his men would go on to win the game from here.

But it wasn't to be, as demonstrated by the 90th minute miss by Di Piedi. With the goal at his mercy from 12 yards the Italian buckled and smashed the ball over the bar. It was further evidence that Wednesday fail to clinch games when there to be taken. In the end the shares were even but it would have been Rotherham the happier of the two sides. Another disappointing performance by the Owls, and further pressure mounted on Peter Shreeves.