Another Wyne for the Saints

Ex-Owl Kenwyne Jones hit Wednesday where it hurts for the fourth successive time. Jones, who scored seven goals in as many games when on loan at Hillsborough two seasons ago, caused a disorganised Owls backline problems all night and ended up with a match winning brace at the St Marys Stadium.

With no Richard Wood or Graham Coughlan fit for selection, and Madjid Bougherra sold to Charlton in midweek, Brian Laws was forced to give 17 year old Mark Beevers an unexpected debut at the back alongside the more experienced Lee Bullen. Full-backs Frank Simek and Tommy Spurr both returned to the side after suspension. The Owls boss also opted to name three strikers on the bench with Deon Burton, new boy Leon Clarke and the out of favour David Graham. There was no place however for new winger Jermaine Johnson who will have to wait over a fortnight to make his Owls debut through suspension from his former club Bradford City.

The Owls started the game in absolute diserray at the back as the Saints had the ball in the back of the net after only a few minutes. The goal was correctly disallowed for handball but the early warning signs were there as Wednesday were carved open at every opportunity. The Saints had Mark Crossley beaten again minutes later and this time it counted. A clever backheel had Bullen deceived and Trinidad and Tobago international Jones slotted home for 1-0.

The remainder of the first half was not pretty for Wednesday. Despite tightening things up a bit at the back the home side continued to look the more dangerous, as Wednesday looked void of ideas going forward. Wade Small jinxed his way through tackles on a couple of occasions but there appeared to be no option for a final pass. It was hard work upfront for MacLean and Tudgay who won nothing in the air and were forced to chase impossible balls played over or around them.

The fifty fifty balls were not being won at the back or in the middle and the Owls defence put the rest of the side under pressure by either failing to clear their lines or giving ball too easily back to the opposition. Marcus Tudgay blazed the ball over the top after it had sat up nicely for a half volley just before the break. That effort summed up a miserable first 45 minutes for the visitors.

A few harsh words were clearly exchanged at the half-time as Wednesday began the second half a rejuvinated side. They looked lively and hungry to win the ball and it was no surprise they were level seven minutes into the half. Tudgay appeared to have blundered a one on one chance with a poor touch but the rebound fell to MacLean who slotted into an empty net for 1-1.

The strong visiting support were in fine voice behind the Saints goal but their joy lasted only six minutes as the home side regained the lead. Chris Baird crossed from the right and Jones converted with a strong header past Crossley's right.

Wednesday never looked like recovering a second time. Brian Laws threw on former Wolves player Leon Clarke in place of Wade Small, and Burton for MacLean. Tudgay reverted to a right-wing position with Clarke and Burton upfront but the Owls looked less likely to score than before the changes.

Tudgay was clearly not at his best on the right and was defensively exploited. Clarke and Burton had little or no impact as a pair. Both displayed a poor first touch and gave possession away too cheaply. Although early days, there has been little displayed by Clarke in his two substitute appearances to suggest he will be the player Brian Laws hopes he will be.

The Saints could and should have added a third before the end. Midfielder Rudi Skacel was guilty of missing an absolute sitter whilst late on Crossley earnt his keep was a couple of fine saves.

Ratings v Saints: Crossley 7 Could do little with both goals and made two fine saves late on. Simek 6 Made a couple of decent challenges but wasn't at his best tonight. Beevers 8 Outstanding effort from a 17 year old on debut. Was not to blame for a weak defensive performance and made two or three brilliant last ditch tackles. Bullen 6 Was to blame for the first goal, didn't marshall the defence like he needed to. Spurr 5 Was beaten too often and failed to clear the ball on a number of occasions. Small 7 Was willing to take players on and went on a couple of decent runs. Whelan 7 Much improved second half performance. The only Owls player fully committed in the tackle. Folly 6 Didn't create much and was weak in the tackle. Brunt 6 Needed to get involved more. A few decent balls in, but it was all too predictable. Tudgay 6 The service wasn't great but he didn't cause the Saints backline too many problems tonight. MacLean 6 Was on hand to score the goal but was beaten in the air every time and never looked like creating chances. Clarke 5 Needs to do more to impress the Owls fans. His touch was poor. Burton 5 Like Clarke his touch was bad, and he gave the ball away too often. No impact. The Gaffer 6 No complaints with the starting XI, but probably should have given Kenny Lunt a run with Folly having an off night. Clarke and Burton made no impact at all. The Support 9 Close to maximum away support made the majority of noise from a quiet 17,000 or so home fans. The Officials 7 The Ref gave some soft free-kicks but allowed the game to flow, and kept his cards in his pocket for most of the night. Overall: Apart from a ten minute spell in the second half the Owls didn't look up for it. They were second to every ball and soft in the tackle. We didn't deserve anything from this one.

Laws verdict: "We gave away two stupid goals but created some chances in the second half and on another day we might have taken them. We were poor in the first half but a half-time rollicking from me got the message across and we were much improved." "We know we have not won for months and the longer it goes on the more of a concern it is." "There are positives to be taken out of the match - including a good debut by Mark Beevers. He is only 17 and I am delighted for him and his family. But I felt some of the other players tried to compensate for him because they were nervous about him."