Owls sink unimpressive Pools

Paul Sturrock's Wednesday side brushed aside their FA Cup disappointment of last week with an impressive 2-0 league win over Hartlepool United at Hillsborough. Wednesday were still without a number of key players in the squad but did well to take three points against a Hartlepool outfit that never looked likely to cause too much trouble.

A well-taken close range effort from Steven MacLean, his 8th goal of the season, sent the Owls on their way shortly after half-time. Wednesday continued to press for the vital second goal but were denied on a number of occasions, and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu was tripped over. With five minutes remaining in the match Matthew Hamshaw, back into action for the Owls after a series of lengthy spells in the treatment room, watched his crossed-effort deflect cruely over Hartlepool 'keeper Konstantopoulos.

Half-time: Owls 0-0 Hartlepool

This match report from Beastie...

What a cracking performance from the whole team today. I honestly can't think of anyone that played below par. OK, so this wasn't the same, gutsy, hard working physical Hartlepool we encountered last season, but we just didn't allow them to play. Strange thing is, first half, I thought we played pretty well, and certainly most of the action was in their half, just where I want it to be. Barring 3 shots from distance, the closest from Humphries, IIRC, they offered nothing by way of a serious threat.

I couldn't wait any longer and I had to make a visit to the little fellas room, just before half time....I'm at that age you get a girly bladder...It was then I realised just how cold I had got....Anyway, in walks this Wednesday Chav..."Worst 45 minutes I've ever seen"????!!!!!???? It may not have been the best ever, but I thought it was at worst decent at times sublime. I don't know what some people want.

It was good to see Dave back, and there were some really good signs that he could link up well, with both JP and MacLean, and he had a hunger, almost too much at times, to impress. In the first half alone, there was some wonderful stuff to see, the 50 yard diagonal cross field pass, dropped on a tanner, from JP, to Brunty. JP again, in the corner, near the flag Leppings Lane/North Stand side, boxed in by 3 Hartlepool players, skips through the lot of them, and gets a great ball in the danger zone.

The two young lads midfield, Whelan and Lewis, both playing well, and tenacious all day, the latter especially, in that first half, at one point, harried and hounded their players, like a ratters dog...He got the ball back too, to an appreciative cheer from the crowd. This great bit of play from Lewis was around the time he let fly with a cracking shot that was that far off the target.

It would certainly have been just reward for both him, and the team. But for all the play, and the clearance of the line, by their big centre half IIRC, and a bit more stout, all hands to the pump defending, we still didn't have anything to show for it, but surely keep playing like this, and it was only a matter of time.

I have to point out, at this point, all the officials had, had a good game, and I was very impressed. - In the past it's been a case of, we get punished early in the second half, as the away team see they're still in it, and after a rousting from their manager, come out all guns blazing, well they did up their game a little, but even though they had a bit more of the play, we still bossed them.

At times we went through them like a knife through case hardened cheese, and the attacking players, Dave, MacLean, Brunt and JP, all eased their way through the defenders. If it hadn't been for their big lads Nelson, and the keeper, (Both halves) it would have been a bigger scoreline.

Around the fifty minute mark, the crowd stood as one, as it looked for all the world as though we were due a penalty, as Dave danced through the defence again, only to eventually go down to a trip, and did well to stay up as long as he did. I can only think the referee thought the offence started outside the box, but gave Dave the benefit, in case he stayed upright and scored. Still, it didn't stop MacLean, cheekily placing the ball on the spot, and employing his best puzzled face when told it was a free kick.

The ref' did clearly signal for it, as soon as he'd blown. Anyway, Brunty blasted the free kick straight into the wall. It was a stay of execution for the Poolies as Hecky (IIRC) put Brunty away down the left, who beat his man, and delivered a lovely cross into the 6yd box for MacLean to ease home. No Kanu's here thank you very much. He enjoyed that, as his celebration showed.

His first in front of the kop. I noticed Daves reaction to this too, and he was over the moon, and getting the kop going, he spent a long time looking at the kop.

This spurred the Poolies into some sort of life again, which appeared to suggest they had come for the draw, as this was prolly their best spell, even if it was brief. Shortly afterwards, another decent Owls move ended in a game of 6yd box pinball, with my feet kicking every ball on the pitch, and anyone sat near me...Why does that happen? I just cannot for the life of me, stop my feet kicking out in those scrambles. I've kicked the bloke at the side me so many times.

Again, all hands to the pump, for some stout defending by the Hartlepool lads, and they repelled all boarders this time. Yet another surge from Brunty down the left, after the Hartlepool defence were left in tatters, and too high up the pitch.

Brunty puts in a lovely peach of a ball, again, into that 6yd box, low and at pace for their defender, forget who, to put through his own goal. UP GOES THE FLAG! Off side? I realise I may not have been a great position to see the line, but Brunty puts a ball into the box, and their player puts it in? Off side? Couldn't believe it. Well, Dave went off to well deserved applause, and I have to say, it was really good to see him back, and playing where, I've always wanted him to play...up front.

They looked scared to death of him all day. (And our other front players) On came Matty, and as I said with Dave, it was nice to see the lad back as well. I've really missed him since his injury. It may only have been 10 minutes, but he looked determined to make them count. After a bit of interplay between him and Brunty he got the ball onto his right foot and came inside, you could see only one thing on his mind, and as I was sat, right down the barrel of the gun, it was a great view of the goal.

He looked up and hit it with power and a bit of swerve, but it deflected off a defender, looped upwards, and before it got to the keeper, who wasn't that far off his line, you just knew where it was gonna end, as Alan Partridge would say...back of the net. I couldn't for the life of me understand why, on 83 minutes, we were playing for time, and holding the ball in the corner, especially when we had a corner.

Very annoying, and the only downer of the match. No I tell a lie... Branston... Some absolutely sublime defending today, and it is being a little picky as he played well, but at times he went from the Champions to the Ryman league, in standards. On one occasion, he did the hard work, then left the ball in the middle of nowhere, and one of their players strolled onto it.

Contrast that with his heading, which was faultless, and one of the times in particular second half where he just walked a player off the ball, and strolled forward effortlessly. This was symptomatic of the defence today, they were as good as I've seen for a while at ours, and worked really well together. Very solid, the lot of 'em. A really good team performance today, good result, return of a couple of favourites, what more could you want on a Saturday afternoon.

Lucas (7/10)
One of his better games today. Very quick off his line, and handled everything really well, and confidently.

Heckingbottom (7/10)
Did well, especially linking up with Brunty, but I still can't remember him getting a tackle in. Not on his own, but got involved in too much head tennis at times

Branston (7/10)
Very good, assured, confident display, with the odd strange moment thrown in.

Bullen (7/10)
Did little wrong, and looks better at right back to me than central. Excellent link up with JP. The odd pass astray, but good overall.

Collins (7/10)
Back to his very best. Assured, confident..and only a teenager? (I know the same words are used time and time again in this report, but it fits them all)

Brunt (7/10)
A much, much better display from Brunty, for the full 90 minutes today. Not only supplying great crosses, but running with ball, and linking with Dave.

McMahon (7/10)
As mentioned, like a ratters dog at times, and worked his socks off all match.

Whelan (7/10)
A few shots that weren't far off, good battling, and good distribution. A good performance.

McGovern (9/10)
It's getting boring saying the same things week in, week out, about this lad.. NAH! It's not. Because, whilst it's all good stuff, I don't mind saying it about the lad. He's a dream for our team. He never stops running...always available...taking defenders on, and invariably beating them...Getting crosses into the danger zone...He's some lad this.. As the young un says, ' We're lovern McGovern'

MacLean (8/10)
One of his better games today. I overheard someone say they thought he was poor, but I just can't agree with that at all. I've chastised him in the past for some his work rate, and ball skills, but today, he put himself about, held the ball up, got amongst the defenders, battled well, and scored...What more do you want? Ok then, more....and his distribution, today was EXCELLENT.

Ndumbu (8/10)
Great to see the lad back, and it did feel so much better having him there. We seemed to have a boatload more options with him up front. The other players had more time and space, on and off the ball. The crowd made him know how much they love him, and I hope he's taken that on board. As mentioned, watching his face, I'm sure he has. He applauded the fans applauding him as he left the field. A couple of times, I thought he was gonna be on the scoresheet, but those defenders managed to get in his way. Pity, it could have rounded it off for him. I hope Sturrock can get it into him to play to our requirements.

SUBS:
Hamshaw (7/10)
Another with a fantastic look after he 'scored'. He ran full pelt to the South Stand, turned and pointed to his name on his shirt. Good lad. As I said, I've missed this lad. A great reception from the fans. It's not a coincidence, IMHO, that our poor play started with his injury. I hope he can work his way back to making more of an impression, by getting into the starting line up. I was disappointed with the band for not allowing the Matty Hamshaw chant to develop fully.

GOALS:
1. MacLean - (7/10)
2. Hamshaw - (6/10)

MAN OF THE MATCH:
McGovern
Not original, but long may it continue

MUPPET OF THE MATCH:
I cannot give it to one of our players today. It wouldn't be right.

TOP TWO OPPOSITION PLAYERS:
Nelson (Central defender) (7/10)
Konstantopoulos (Keeper) (6/10)

OVERALL OPPOSITION TEAM: (3/10)

OPPOSITION FANS: (5/10) (A bit of noise whilst they were still in it)