McGovern wonderstrike saves Owls a point

Wednesday failed to pick up maximum points in their clash with Colchester at Layer Road. The Owls were looking for revenge for the U's embarassing 3-0 win at Hillsborough on the opening day of the season, the side then managed by Chris Turner.

The first half ended scoreless and was almost entirely dominated by the home side. Paul Heckingbottom gave the Owls the start to the second half they didn't need. The left-back tragically headed past his own keeper three minutes after the break, desperately trying to head the ball clear with a man lurking at the far post. It caught goalkeeper Chris Adamson completely unaware and the U's had their deserved lead.

The Owls, who have scored more goals away from home than any other side in England to this date, fought back to salvage something from the game.

They got the equaliser in the 63rd minute when winger Jon-Paul McGovern, excused from training at the start of the week to rest, scored an individually brilliant goal. The Wednesday winger picked the ball up from the right hand side and took on two U's defenders before firing in a low, outswinging shot from just inside the box that beat Colchester keeper Aidan Davison to his far right hand post.

Chances fell to both sides in the final ten minutes for a winner. Wednesday's other winger Chris Brunt came agonisingly close to making himself a hero when his left-foot shot crashed off the underside of the crossbar, and to safety, after the youngster had stormed into the U's box with a fine urn.

Half-time: Colchester 0-0 Owls

Paul Sturrock's most match comments:
"We had to quickly put our defensive back-four together before the game, so I'm pleased to take a point. Colchester's pressure in the first half merited them going 1-0 up, but I thought Alex Bruce made a solid debut and showed signs that he will be a good asset to the football club and will benefit the team."

AnzOwls' verdict:
Colchester are a tricky team to break down, especially on their own turf, so Wednesday did well to come back and get a point from this one.