A win for Wednesday at The Shay

Wednesday kicked off their pre-season campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Conference side Halifax Town. Around 600 Owls fans made the trip to see the side in action for the first time this season and they weren't disappointed in what was a lively and fairly competetive affair.

Brian Laws used the opportunity to give 22 different players a run out with an almost entirely different XI coming on after the break.

First half goals from Chris Brunt, a sweetly timed half volley into the corner, and Leon Clarke, driving the ball home after Deon Burton had pulled the ball back, set the Owls on their way. Shortly before the hour mark the home side saw their best chance of the match go astray when new summer signing Rob Burch pulled off the save of the afternoon from a James Dean shot.

Shortly afterwards Marcus Tudgay latched onto a through ball and finished neatly to make it 3-0.

With three goals, a clean sheet and no injuries to worry about Brian Laws will be a happy camper with the Owls set to fly out to The Netherlands as part of a three-game overseas tour that starts on Tuesday.

The only players officially named with a squad number for the season but not involved this afternoon were Richard O'Donnell, Steve Watson (fitness), Wade Small (knee injury), Yoann Folly, Burton O'Brien and David Graham. O'Brien and Folly were rested after picking up minor injuries in training the day before, while if you're David Graham you probably can't wait to get out of Hillsborough. The former Wigan forward's dreadful career at S6 continued when he was told he would not be taken on the pre-season trip to Holland, meanwhile interest from other clubs continues to be minimal.

Laws verdict: "I know the players would rather be playing football like it is today rather than running at the training ground. You get more fitness out of games because you can't replicate what you get out of games what you get on the pitch." "It was nice to get three goals and it was good to create as many chances as we did I thought we were good in the wide areas and if we are to get anything out of this season we have to use these areas.Today we looked creative and in good form." "All the games will be getting harder as we play them culminating in a home fixture against Birmingham. But it is the bonding side of things that is most important. A united changing room will achieve more." "The first game in Holland is equivalent to an English League 2 side but the other two are Championship level so we know these will be tough." "We hope that they will be good footballing games. I have been over there before with Scunthorpe and the standard of football ion Holland is excellent so it should be a good trip."