Owls hit for four out of the cup

Wednesday were dumped out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle as fellow League One side Swindon Town hit the Owls four four. The scoreline was perhaps a little flattering for Swindon, but there was no denying that yet again Wednesday's defence frailties cost them dearly.

This report from TeamTalk:

Defender Steve Jenkins scored his first goal for Swindon as Town dumped Sheffield Wednesday out of the FA Cup with a 4-1 victory. Jenkins, with Town on a month's loan from Peterborough, scored the first of three second-half goals as Swindon staged a classic smash-and-grab raid to book their place in round two. Midfielder Brian Howard opened the scoring for Swindon in the 43rd minute direct from a corner, while full-back Jenkins doubled the home side's lead against the run of play two minutes into the second half.

The Wednesday defence only half cleared David Duke's long throw allowing Jenkins to volley into the top corner from 12 yards out. Glenn Whelan got the visitors back in the match with a neat chip 15 minutes later, but Duke put the result beyond doubt with a 20-yard piledriver after Jenkins' cross had deceived the Wednesday defence.

Striker Christian Roberts completed the rout with his third goal since joining Swindon from Bristol City five minutes from time, racing on to Duke's long pass before firing home from the edge of the area.

Half-time: Swindon 1-0 Owls

Paul Sturrock's post match comments:
"I don't think 4-1 was a true reflection on the game but it's the same old story. We didn't defend set pieces and crosses coming into the box and it's cost us three goals."

"It's absolutely farcical that someone would leave it in the box. The second goal was a long throw that should be cleared and the third was a cross into the box. I'm quite proud of the players. When they went 2-0 down I saw a side of them I hadn't seen before. Today we got ourselves back in the game and showed a spirit that has been lacking. We didn't lose any points today. It's now the old cliche of concentrating on the league."

AnzOwls verdict: The Owls are now out of all three domestic cup competitions, having been soundly beaten here at Swindon.