Owls Edge Eagles

The Owls have narrowly won their first of three pre-season games in The Netherlands by beating Dutch First Division side the Go Ahead Eagles 2-1.

An early goal from Marcus Tudgay, his second successive strike in pre-season so far, set Wednesday on their way before the hosts levelled on the brink of half-time. Wade Small scored within moments of coming on in the 75th minute to secure a win for Brian Laws' side. Small missed Sunday's 3-0 win over Halifax but will have certainly made an impression on Laws with his instact impact on this match.

Laws used the opportunity to sharpen the fitness of most players available in the squad but Burton O'Brien, returning from injury, and goalkeeper Robert Burch both were given a full 90 minute run out. A number of Wednesday's youth players were also involved at some stage including James Kay, Mark Beevers, Liam McMenamin and winger Rocky Lekaj. Winger Jermaine Johnson was unable to join the Owls on their short pre-season tour due to complications with his work permit.

The Owls step up the level of competition tomorrow night when they face Heerenveen.

Laws verdict: "It's important, just to keep the morale and confidence up, it's not the be all and end all but it does help with confidence. You need the workout too and I must say that game was a good workout." "In the first half in particular I thought we were very powerful. Leon Clarke showed immense power and pace and caused them a lot of problems in the first half. He faded a little in the second half, which we expected, but he showed that when he is fit he looks like a real player for us." "Wade Small has had a long time out injured and this is his first competitive game since last season. He is delighted to get on the end of a goal. We can use him up front and out wide and he is going to be an asset to us, having worked hard over the summer."