New look Owls start off with a win

Chris Turner's new look Wednesday side kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 3-2 win over Championship side Preston North End in the San Antonio Football Stadium. It put the Owls into the final of the four team, knockout tournament Copa de Ibiza which this season involves the Owls, Preston North End, Watford and local outfit FC Portmany.

Just one player, Chris Brunt, was from the same side that played in Wednesday's final game of the 2003/04 season. Seven new players made their first appearances in Wednesday shirts.

The game started lively with former Blade Jon-Paul McGovern hitting the post and seeing another effort go wide inside the first ten minutes. It seemed no surprise when the Owls did open the scoring in the 27th minute.

After fine play between wingers McGovern and Brunt it was new Wednesday skipper Chris Marsden that calmly volleyed home from 15 yards out.

Two minutes later it was 2-0. Owls fans were delighted to see their new forward man Steven MacLean nod home from a McGovern cross.

Owls shot stopper David Lucas made a vital save from Marlon Broomes' effort right on the stroke of half-time, to ensure Wednesday kept a clean sheet going in at the break.

Half-time: Owls 2-0 Preston

The action carried on where it left off at the start of the second half. McGovern was again involved in the making of the goal, as Adam Proudlock swept the ball home in the 48th minute to make a very impressive looking 3-0 scoreline.

But the Lilywhites were to fight their way back into the game and who else would be there to stage the comeback but none other than former Owl Richard Cresswell. His 15 yard drive made it past former Preston man Lucas, 3-1.

And on the stroke of the hour mark David Healy's clever run in the box was finished well with a stinging shot into the back of the net. The game had turned on it's head in just twelve minutes.

Turner opted to make a series of chages shortly after Preston's second goal. He was to make seven substitutions in all, ensuring the majority of his squad were to get a run.

Despite the change in personel, the Owls held out 3-2 winners to progress to Thursday's final. There they'll play Championship team Watford, 4-1 winners over FC Portmany yesterday.


Chris Turner's post match comments: "Chris Marsden and Steven MacLean both scored on their debut and Adam Proudlock looked sharp. The front two caused Preston a lot of problems in the first hour. It's important for all the new players, especially strikers, to score in front of the superb support we've had here. They go away with a good impression."

"We know this boy (MacLean) will score goals. He's intelligent, holds the ball up well and makes good runs."

"We made seven changes - the result is important but not the most important thing. Lee Bullen, Paul Heckingbottom and Chris Marsden played 90 minutes - they won't play much part in the game on Thursday night. It would be nice to win against Watford but it's important to get minutes under players' belts."