Sturrock half-time talk inspires Owls

Some strong words by Owls boss Paul Sturrock at half-time inspired Wednesday to a 4-0 win at home to Wrexham on Monday. The Dragons, second off the bottom in the league standings, must've fancied their chances when going into the break at 0-0.

But the game turned on it's head minutes after the break after Steve Roberts' foul in the box earnt him a red card and allowed Steven MacLean to tuck away his 14th goal of the season. Kenwyne Jones continued his sensational hot scoring run with a further two goals, in the 55th and 59th minutes respectively, to put the game beyond Wrexham's reach and take his tally to 6 in 5 games since joining the Owls on loan from Southampton back in December.

Defender Paul Heckingbottom wrapped matters up with a headed goal from a Wednesday corner in the final ten minutes. The Owls have now gone five games undefeated and have scored an impressive 14 goals in that run.

Half-time: Owls 0-0 Wrexham

This report from BigOwl:

The interesting thing is that imho Wrexham were a better team than Brentford football wise but as Sturrocks tactics show the direct route pays better dividends in this division. Unlike Brentford Wrexham couldnt come back from conceding a penalty and going down to 10 men.

Not really a lot to say about the first 40 minutes except that both teams looked tired from a hectic Xmas period. Wood who was immaculate on saturday against Luton nearly gave a way a goal when instead of hacking the ball into touch whilst being pursued by ex spurs international striker Armstrong he decided to try to get down to knee height to head the ball back to Lucas.

His touch was not meaty enough and Armstrong looked to be in until Lucas managed to get fingertips to the chipped ball and Wood recovered to clear the ball. In the 40th minute Kenwyne Jones woke up from his slumber and put in a great ball across the box which took out 3 defenders and found JP in space.

It seemed odds on he must score but the ball came back off the inside of the post and was cleared. In the 47th minute O'Brien (whose stay has just been extended into a 2nd month) went on a run into the box skipping past players until he was upended by whom the ref decided was the last man. A penalty was given and said defender red carded. MacLean varied his spot kick enough from the last two (opposite bottom corners) and gave the keeper no chance.

Sturrock must have had harsh words with Jones during the break and when Heckingbottom ran the defenders ragged at the far corner flag just a few minutes later and at the 3rd attempt crossed a peach to the near post where Jones was waiting to head his 5th in 5 and run towards the south stand to show his acrobatic skills again. Apart from the occasional break by Armstrong the Owls had most of the possession and indeed the attacking.

JP sent in a fine cross from the touchline and Jones was in the box to glance a fine header into the net for 3-0 and his 6th goal in 5 games. The crowd erupted and He took the applause with a little dance at the corner flag whilst the kop responded with chants of 'sign him up' Brunt took over from Jones who went off to a standing ovation and more Owls pressure brought a corner which was swung in for Heckingbottom to head home.

Armstrong became the third Wrexham player to be booked after in frustration he picked up the ball at an Owls free kick and threw it over Heckingbottoms head towards the touchline. MacLean was replaced by Talbot and Bullen by Greenwood.

Talbot could have had a goal with a superb solo run into the box and Wrexham knew it wasnt their day as keeper Dibble had to go off with a thigh strain after they had used all 3 subs and an outfield player had to go in the net leaving the welshmen with just 9 players on the pitch. Brunt had a long range affort just off target in an attempt to catch out the stand-in keeper and the Owls comfortably held on to extend their good run.

Lucas 7/10 did what he had to do well
Bullen 7/10 better then saturday
Lee 7/10 solid again
Wood 7/10 one mistake but coming on well as a prospect
Heckingbottom 8/10 rarely in trouble, made one goal and scored another
Hamshaw 7/10 up and down the pitch
O'Brien 8/10 another good game for the boy
Whelan 7/10 making a good partnership with Joey
JP 7/10 getting back to his best
MacLean 8/10 great contribution with just one pass astray in the entire game
Jones 7/10 thats 1 for the 1st half and 6 for the second. Naive but entertaining

Subs
Brunt 6/10
Greenwood
Talbot

Ref 7/10, missed one pen after MacLean was hacked down but kept the game flowing