Owls avoid late scare at Stoke

Sheffield Wednesday kicked off the new season with a point taken at Stoke City at their Britannia Stadium. Whilst the result is a steady start to the new campaign for Paul Sturrock's young and relatively inexperienced newly promoted squad, the performance was a shaky one and in all honesty Stoke will feel robbed.

The Potters made the worst possible start to their season when veteran defender Gerry Taggart was harshly sent-off after 13 minutes after a clumsy challenge missed the ball and connected with on-loan striker Leon Best, making his Owls debut. Taggart saw a straight red card and the home side down to ten men.

But Wednesday failed to take advantage of their one man advantage and never looked like going on to win the game. Infact just three minutes after the sending off Stoke midfielder Junior blazed over from 12 yards with keeper David Lucas beaten and defender Richard Wood desperately ready to defend from the goal line.

Wednesday's first serious threat on goal came mid way through the first half when a long throw by John Hills managed to bounce twice uncleared in the Stoke penalty area, before Best headed agonisingly wide. Stoke came close before the break through efforts from Carl Hoefkens and Mama Sidibe. Neither could find the back of the net and the game remained stalemate going into the break.

Half-time: Stoke 0-0 Owls

The Owls looked more confident in the second half and looked dangerous on both wings through the two Chris' - Eagles and Brunt. On the hour mark Brunt's free-kick was turned away by Potters' keeper Simonsen, whilst shortly afterwards Peacock's headed goal was ruled out through offside.

Sturrock through on Adam Proudlock for Southampton man Best and Ritchie Partridge came on to make his debut in place of Eagles. But it was Stoke who looked the more likely to win the game going into the final stage of the match.

The Potters blew the game's golden chance of a winner when substitute Kevin Harper blazed a penalty high and wide of David Lucas' goalpost. Defender John Hills was guilty of gifting Stoke the spot-kick, after bringing down Hoefkens in what Sturrock later described as a "moment of madness".

Moments later Sidibe's effort was inches wide of the post as ten man Stoke pressed for the winner. Chris Brunt and defender Frankie Simek both tested their luck with last ditch efforts, but the game was to end in stalemate. Despite numerous injuries to key personnel Sturrock's men grab a point on the opening day of the season but sterner tests are to come with Southampton and Hull City both visitors to Hillsborough in the next seven days.

Paul Sturrock's post match comments:
"There's a naivety in the team that was shown today. We're a very young side and we're going to have to learn quickly. It's a wee culture shock with the pace in this league and it's how quickly we can learn the tempo. The pace and strength is something you adapt to."

"Everybody knew it was going to be a hard season for us and nothing's changed my mind. There's food for thought but nil-nil will do us and we live to fight another day."