Goal shy Owls get hit late, again


The Owls slumped to yet another 1-0 defeat, their third in succession, as Paul Sturrock's goal shy squad failed to hit the bag of the net for the fifth match in a row. Glenn Whelan's injury time consolation strike at Watford almost exactly a month ago was the last time they bulged the "old onion bag".

Nicky Forster's 87th minute goal from a Jason De Vos knockdown was the heartbreaker for Wednesday. It's the second match in a row the Owls backline has been caught napping in the final few minutes.

The first half was a relatively evenly matched affair with both sides enjoying chances to score. Owls onloan striker Darryl Murphy going close for the home side and for the visitors it was Gavin Williams who came closest, his shot was no problem for Sheffield boy Nicky Weaver though.

The Owls were dealt a blow just before the break when striker David Graham was forced off the park and was replaced by winger Chris Brunt. That forced Lee Peacock, who started the match on the right wing, to revert to his usual position upfront alongside Sunderland man Murphy.

Half-time: Owls 0-0 Ipswich

Both sides pressed on in the second period in search of a goal - Brunt's powerful shot was close for Wednesday whilst at the other end Forster blazed over from close range.

Paul Sturrock threw on youngsters Chris Eagles and Barry Corr for the final third of the match. Shortly after Graham Coughlan, second top scorer with three for the season, forced Town keeper Lewis Price into a save with a strong header from an Eagles' corner.

It was Ipswich who found that elusive strike to win the match in the end - there was no coming back for Sturrock's depleted side after that.

Results elsewhere did not favour Wednesday this weekend and as a result they have now dropped back into the relegation zone. Worrying times ahead for manager Paul Sturrock who must now rally his morale damaged troops for a busy festive period.

Wednesday's next game is away to Preston North End on Boxing Day which is then following by a further four games in seven days.

Paul Sturrock's post match comments:

"We're in a dog-fight. We hoped it wouldn't be but it will be a tussle to the end of the season. I tried to warn everybody at the start - and I think everyone knows that now. It's going to be muck and mire right to the end. If we let this fester and we're not all together, it will get worse instead of better."

Joe Royle (Ipswich manager)'s post match comments:

"There was a lot of aerial stuff to defend and I thought we defended magnificently. I thought Jason De Vos and Richard Naylor were magnificent. When we defend properly, it gives us a great chance. I thought we shaded it. We tried to play passing football, but it was hard because the pitch at Hillsborough isn't the greatest these days."