Three in a row for Wednesday

Wednesday jumped to fourth spot in the league table today with a 1-0 victory over local rivals Huddersfield Town on home soil. It was Wednesday's third league win in a row, and an all important win infront of their own fans after an embarassing 0-3 defeat on the opening day to Colchester United at Hillsborough.

The game's only goal came in the 21st minute when Steven MacLean kept his cool to slot the ball past defender and goalkeeper from close range, after Jon-Paul McGovern had pulled the ball back for him from the by-line. The Owls had been lucky to not find themselves a goal down as early as the 3rd minute into the game.

Junior Mendes' shot hit the inside of the post and Guy Branston was on hand to clear the ball from danger. Goalkeeper David Lucas made a couple of important saves, none moreso than denying Andy Booth the pleasure of scoring against his former employers with a close range volley that was turned away.

The Owls had further chances in the game to ensure the win but failed to take full advantage. Chris Brunt volleyed wide whilst McGovern's snap-shot effort sailed over the bar.

Half-time: Owls 1-0 Huddersfield

The second half started slowly and the game's next best chance fell to the visitors. Booth was to see another chance fall his way, after Lee Bullen's weak backpass, but Guy Branston got back to put in a vital block.

Brunt, who made his international debut in midweek, came agonisingly close to scoring his first of the season late on in the game when his turn and shot from the edge of the box flew wide of the post.

Three in a row now for Wednesday who face three games in six days, beginning with the home tie against Walsall in midweek in the 1st Round of the Carling League Cup.

Chris Turner's post match comments:

"I'm pleased with the result. We've played a lot better at home and lost in my time here. But everybody knows how we struggled here at the end of last season and it's important to get your first home win."

"He's (MacLean) a box man, as well as holding up play. If you give him a chance he'll score."

"The fans have always talked about commitment and passion - well, the work rate has certainly been there in the last three games. Sometimes we tended to over-play but it's a new team that is still getting to know each other. Towards the end we had one or two breakaways that could have resulted in a second goal, which we really needed to calm things down. But today we dug in to hang on, which we haven't always done in the past."


AnzOwls' verdict: A first home win infront of a big crowd will have done the confidence wonders for the players, and Turner.