Owls gain gritty draw at Goodison
A goal four minutes into the second half by Republic of Ireland Under-21 player Alan Quinn,
his first senior goal for the club, earned his side a point from their away trip to Everton.
Although a point won't really help them that much in their cause it is better than nothing at all.
Quinn's equaliser came after a powerful header by David Weir in the 33rd minute. Wednesday
now find themselves a daunting 10 points away from safety.
The Owls went into the game once again without Dutchman Wim Jonk, and his sublime skills were again sorely
missed. Perhaps if he had have been fit today Wednesday would've taken all three points instead of just one. That meant
there were once again places in the side for youngsters Alan Quinn and Steven Haslam.
Everton have been in superb form over the past month or so and before this match were in 7th spot. But as early as the
third minute their defence was under pressure. Swede Niclas Alexandersson somehow wriggled his way into the
Everton penalty box before his shot was blocked by Thomas Mhyre. There certainly seemed to be some shit tugging
involved but calls for a penalty were waved away by referee Barber.
The home side continued to struggle in that first period, although Wednesday themselves were playing poorly. Former
Owl Mark Pembridge shot from distance on two occasions, but neither seriously threatened Pavel Srnicek in the
Wednesday goal. On 33 minutes however the Toffee's took the lead. Nick Barmby's cross was met with a thunderous
header by defender David Weir, as for not the first time this season the Owls were caught out from a set-piece.
Half-time: Everton 1-0 Owls
The start of the second half saw the Owls come out looking prepared to fight for everything. It paid off almost straight
away as Quinn found the back of the net for the first time in his so far short senior career. Some determined work on the
right wing by Dutchman Gerald Sibon finally ended up with Quinn smashed the ball in from 12 yards out. It was just
reward for the youngster whose uprising to first team football seems to be the brightest thing that has happened to the
club this season.
Wednesday continued to press for a second but Walter Smith's side remained strong at the back. Substitute Lee
Briscoe found himself through on goal, but the goalscorer David Weir was on hand to deny him with a fine tackle.
Moments later former Everton man Andy Hinchcliffe was causing trouble on the left flank, when his pin point cross found
Gilles de Bilde - but his header was straight at Mhyre.
Right at the end Sibon tried his luck from long range, but to no avail as the Everton keeper was again the saviour as he
tipped the shot over the bar. So a point the final outcome - the queston is is it all too late now for the Owls, or will a point
here at Goodison Park be the turning point?
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Sibon