Sibon strike puts Owls in Second Round

A single strike from Gerald Sibon was just enough to ensure there were no hiccups for Wednesday at the first hurdle of this season's Worthington League Cup. The Owls edged passed Third Division outfit Rochdale 1-0, in what was the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

Terry Yorath lived up to his promise and refused to field a weakened team. Sibon returned from suspension and partnered Shefki Kuqi upfront. New hero Lloyd Owusu had to settle with a spot on the substitutes bench. The former Brentford hitman is not quite at 100% fitness level just yet. It was hardly the most inspiring perfomance by Wednesday but it was enough to see them through to the next round, so there can be few complaints.

The visitors were hoping to cause the upset, and came close on a number of occasions to finding the back of the net, but in the end the Owls backline held strong. Now last year's Semi-finalists, beaten by Blackburn Rovers, are hoping this win is the first on another successful cup run for Yorath's men.

A disappointing crowd of 8,815 were at Hillsborough for the midweek clash. The Owls are now away from home in two successive league games at Preston North End and Leicester City respectively.

This report from the BBC Football website:

Gerald Sibon scored the only goal of the game as Sheffield Wednesday narrowly edged past Rochdale in the Worthington Cup. The Owls, semi-finalists in this competition last season, started brightly with Shefki Kuqi and Sibon forcing their way through Dale's back line twice in the opening 90 seconds. And they scored after four minutes. Sibon capitalised when Wayne Evans' clearance ricocheted off Kuqi - and he calmly stroked the ball home from 20 yards.

Kuqi had a chance to double the lead in the 10th minute but goalkeeper Neil Edwards was down quickly to his low drive. The visitors' first attempt came shortly afterwards through Paul Connor, but his long shot was parried away by Kevin Pressman.

In the 20th minute Connor again forced Pressman to nudge away under pressure. Wednesday responded again through Kuqi, who forced Edwards to make a diving save at his feet. Dale captain Gareth Griffiths headed wide in the 33rd minute and five minutes later Connor also nodded wide of the mark.

And on the stroke of half-time Dale were extremely unfortunate not to restore parity when Clyde Platt headed against the post. In the second half Pressman saved from Connor again and Platt had a final chance with a shot from a narrow angle - but Wednesday held on to secure a place in the next round .

Half-time: Owls 1-0 Rochdale