Triumphant Owls march into regional final

This Match Report from BigOwl:

I was going to start this with 'remember it's only scunthorpe' but thought better of it. In fact half the teams in div 2 are no better than this scunny side and that obviously raises the question 'why arent we beating them'? I do actually have to qualify this though by pointing out that they were 'sans Beagrie' who is probably their most influential player but then again looking at our lengthy injury list I dont suppose they can complain.

On loan Lucas (by far the clubs best keeper IMHO) continues to keep the ever weighty Pressman out of the side (anyone who saw him ambling around the pitch at halftime can attest to that) and the back 3 of Smith, Haslam and BBM were behind a midfield of Paul Smith, GNN, Quinny, Armstrong and Geary. Proudlock and Robins paired up in attack. We were nearly caught cold as scunny immediately attacked and broke through in the first minute as Sparrow went clear but hit the post with his shot and the ball rebounded into Lucas arms.

Scunny were rarely seen as an attacking force after this such was the Owls domination of the game. Robins had the first chance of the game as he was put clear from a lovely pass from Quinn but seemed to mis-hit his shot with only the keeper to beat. GNN then skipped past several players down the right wing and pulled the ball back from the by-line for Robins to crash home the ball with barely 5 minutes gone.

The Owls never looked back and the early goal certainly seemed to lift confidence throughout the team. Wednesday pressed hard with virtually every man winning their individual battles and just after the half hour mark Robins put Proudlock clear and the ex Wolves man powered the ball past the scunny keeper to double the lead. A smart free kick from Quinn allowed Paul Smith to hit an instant shot which looked every inch a goal until the keeper got his fingertips to it at the last moment. 2-0 to the Owls at half time.

Half-time: Owls 2-0 Scunthorpe

With my usual confident manner I predicted an early goal in the second half (expecting it to be a scunny one) and Proudlock did the business from just inside the area although from where I was sitting it seemed that he mis-hit the ball into the ground and that it was the bounce that deceived the keeper. However a goal is a goal to any striker and we were in an unasailable lead. Geary had a chance which was well saved by their keeper (who incidentally made several good saves on the night) and the Owls pressed again.

Paul Smith escaped down the left and whipped a fine cross in as Robins steamed in to poach another goal with a fine header leaving the keeper no chance. CT decided to sub both strikers with injuries and the weekend in mind and brought on Holt and Shaw up front. Geary went off to be replaced by Lewis MacMahon making his debut and he took over central midfield with Quinny moving to Geary's slot.

Young Lewis made a good impression and looks to be another tough tackling Irish lad in the Geary, Quinn, Morrison mold. An emphatic win from a team brimming with the confidence an early goal brings. If I havent mentioned others on the pitch it doesnt mean they werent impressive. Armstrong had probably his best game in an Owls shirt with 100 percent graft and some tough tackling and Haslam yet again looked superb (yes Haslam and Superb in the same sentence) in that centre back role as he reads the game so well.

My only quibbles on the night were the occasional mistakes by BBM who is prone to dive in like a full back but shouldnt as when he lost the ball as a centre half he left the team exposed and perhaps that Paul Smith seemed to have lost his nerve again to take players on and go past, often choosing to check back and cross with his right foot. The only time he did beat his man on the night was when he crossed for Robins to score (point proven):-) Some very good performances on the night so why not every home game?

Team:-
Lucas 7/10 - His handling and cross catching are leagues above anyone else at the club (He must stay)
D. Smith 7/10 - Solid if not eye catching
Haslam 8/10 - Again a fine display in his best position
BBM 6/10 - Some good stuff but the odd rush of blood puts the team under pressure
P. Smith 6/10 - Did well but not as good as his last few appearances
GNN 8/10 - Skill and pace to burn (please sign him CT)
Armstrong 7/10 - Did a fine holding role and I have nothing negative to say for once
Quinn 7/10 - Lots of effort and lots of workrate in this well balanced midfield lineup
Geary 8/10 - His tackling is becoming legendary. Great showing on the night
Proudlock 7/10 - Once he had scored seemed galvanised. A confidence player he did very well once the game warmed up
Robins 8/10 - The goal poacher we have needed for a long time. 6 gaols in 8 appearances says it all

Subs:- Holt Shaw MacMahon

My MOM was a tossup between GNN and Haslam who both contributed highly in different ways. Im going for GNN as that entertaining flair made it a good evening all round. My worries for the future are that someone else will snap up GNN at the end of the season as we have to pay a fee for him as he is under 23 (24?) so even though his contract at Amiens is up they can get a fee under Bosman.

Also that Lucas will be allowed to go back to Preston and we will never see him again. We must do whatever we can to keep this very talented young keeper. Personally Id offer Craig Brown Pressman AND Tidman for what is their 3rd choice stopper!!! Lucas breeds confidence in the defenders around him unlike some others I could mention. The back 3 should be Haslam, Lee and Bromby! Lets hope we can keep up the good work on saturday ;-)

AnzOwls' verdict: A great confidence booster for the Owls, and now a real chance at winning some silverware in a season rapidly turning into a huge disappointment.