Tudgay is the ticket for Wednesday

The Owls put behind them a truly awful 2005 Christmas period with a perfect 3-0 scoreline in their opening fixture for the 2006 calendar year. Bottom side Crewe Alexandra were the visitors to Hillsborough but Dario Gradi's side, bottom of the Championship table heading into this one, found life tough against a Wednesday side with renewed confidence.

Owls gaffer Paul Sturrock took a big gamble in throwing his two new signings into the fray - Deon Burton (Rotherham United) and Marcus Tudgay (Derby County) were signed only the day before but both received clearance to play in time. Neither had had time to train with the rest of the squad, although there was a slight advantage in that both forwards knew each other from their respective days with Derby County.

Young Barry Corr was dropped to the bench after having made a start in the 2-1 win at Burnley, whilst there was no place in the squad for Lee Peacock or David Graham. Graham is currently out through injury and Peacock has been told he has no future at the club.

There was also a start on the right wing for Ritchie Partridge who for the majority of the season has been sitting in the shadow of young Manchester United loanee Chris Eagles. The 19 year old's loan spell with the Owls ended at Turf Moor on New Years Eve and he has now returned to Old Trafford.

The Owls couldn't have wished for a better start to this one. Just six minutes in and a firm Richard Wood header from a Partridge corner set the Owls on their way. It was no more than the young defender has deserved after having been one of the star performers of the season to date.

New signing Deon Burton was displaying some impressive hold up play whilst Tudgay too was keen to impress the home faithful. In the 30th minute Burton O'Brien came within inches to notching up his first for the club, his shot cannoning back off the bar. Burton dragged a shot wide just before the break as the Owls had to settle for a single goal lead heading into the break.

Half-time: Owls 1-0 Crewe

Half-time Crewe substitute Luke Rodgers got in amongst the thick of it straight away. Luke Varney's through ball beat three Owls defenders but Wood's timely interception denied Rodgers, just as he was about to pull the trigger. The opening period of the second half belonged to Crewe but the Railwaymen could not force a goal. Sturrock later slammed his side for an "unacceptable first 20 minutes" in allowing the visitors a chance back into the game.

It was about as good as it got for Crewe though and just past the hour mark the Owls made it 2-0. Alexandra keeper Ross Turnbull came off his line to fist away a dangerous Ritchie Partridge cross, but as the ball was quickly slotted back into the area Deon Burton's smart flick found fellow debutant Marcus Tudgay who had no problems in heading the ball over a Crewe defender and into an empty net. A goal on debut for Tudgay.

With nine minutes remaining the icing was on the cake for Sturrock's side with a third and decisive goal. Chris Brunt's sharp turn and shot was turned into his own net by defender Chris McGready.

Six points from their last two games has seen Wednesday move out of the bottom three but important fixtures lie ahead for the Owls, who face fellow strugglers Leicester and Millwall in coming weeks.


Paul Sturrock's post match comments:
"I was very disappointed with the way we started the second half. At times we were too deep. For 20 minutes until we got the second goal, they dominated most of that spell. But overall we have come through the game. It was huge for the club. It's still going to be a tough old fight until the end."

Dario Gradi (Crewe manager)'s post match comments:
"We thought we might get something here. But they are all hard games in this league. They played better than us in the first half. We didn't pass very well and we were a bit nervous in midfield. But we did much better in the second half and we started to make some inroads."