Turner's troops show fighting spirit in Torquay win

Wednesday put the opening day result behind them with their second win away from home in four days. The quality of the two teams showed as the Owls ran away 4-2 winners over Torquay United at Plainmoor on Saturday.

The impressive Patrick Collins won the Owls a penalty in the 7th minute when he was recklessly brought down in the box, after making a charging run to the edge of the Torquay penalty box. Steven MacLean stepped up and confidentely tucked away the spot-kick to the keeper's left for his first goal in a Wednesday shirt.

David Lucas kept the Owls in the game with a couple of fine saves and MacLean was guilty of sqwandering a one on one opportunity.

Torquay were level right on the stroke of half-time as Joe Kufflour wasted no time when the ball fell for him in the box, smashing the ball into the top left hand corner, after good work on the right wing from Phillips.

Half-time: Torquay 1-1 Owls

Six minutes into the second half and Chris Turner's side were back in the lead. McGovern launched a throw-in into the box from the right hand side that Lee originally flicked on. When the ball was headed back into his direction, the centre-back made full connection with a header that looped over Torquay's goalkeeper Dearden from 15 yards out.

But the Gulls were to show their fighting spirit when they drew level again right on the hour mark. A powerful through ball was controlled brilliantly by Martin Gritton who flicked the ball calmly over the on-rushing David Lucas. 2-2.

The turning point of the game came when Turner brought on Paul Heckingbottom and Chris Brunt into midfield in the 67th minute. Seven minutes later Brunt was the creator of Wednesday's third goal, and the third time the Owls had taken the lead in the match.

Brunt received the ball on the left-wing and, after cutting inside of his man, played an outrageous outside of the left boot pass that swung into the Torquay box. Lee Peacock did brilliantly well to flick the ball home whilst still running backwards. It was the former Bristol City man's first Owls goal.

There was to be no further comeback for Torquay in this one. The result was confirmed in the 80th minute when substitute Heckingbottom joined MacLean and Peacock in scoring his first for the club. MacLean powerful left-foot shot was palmed away by Dearden but Heckingbottom turned the ball into the net from a tight angle to ensure the Owls would be leaving Devon with all three points.

Chris Turner's post match comments:
"To come away from home and score four goals is very pleasing - especially to see Steven MacLean, Lee Peacock and Paul Heckingbottom score their first league goals for us. Torquay pushed us very strongly for 70 minutes and deserved to be level at half-time. But we sorted a few things out, made two substitutions and it worked well for us."

"We didn't pass the ball well. We can do better than that. Things are going to crop up with a lot of new players but I think the difference in quality between the two teams showed today."

AnzOwls post match comments:
Two wins on the trot away from home, inside four days. The Owls have bounced back well from the opening day result.