Sponsored by
Dons go for a Burton as hot Owls steam on: MATCH REPORT AND SLIDESHOW
MK Dons 1 v Owls 4: THIS really was a stroll down Stadium Way for Brian Laws' Sheffield Wednesday at steamy Milton Keynes last night.
Despite falling behind to a third minute surprise goal from Florian Sturm, the Owls awoke from their slumbers and by half-time were leading 3-1.
And when second half substitute Jermaine Johnson hammered home a fourth with 40 minutes still to play after leaving the Dons defenders in a daze, creating the opening for himself following a dazzling run down the right, Wednesday's third pre-season friendly was set for a third successive victory in sauna conditions.
After two victories on Dutch soil, Law's men were a happy to kick off their domestic friendlies with an impressive performance at the home of last season's League Two champions.
Nine goals for and just the one against is the Owls record going into the remaining key friendlies, at Bury and Chesterfield and home to premiership Wigan on Saturday week.
"So far we've had a good start to a pre-season aimed at building confidence and improving the fitness of my players," said Laws afterwards.
Player of the moment is certainly Deon Burton whose brace against the Dons took his tally to four from the three friendlies played so far.
Burton though was indebted to team-mate and fit again Akpo Sodje who joined Wednesday from Port Vale last season and unselfishly laid on both goals for him in the 31st and 34th minutes.
These two front men caused havoc in the Dons defence and while stronger back four's will be confronted in the Championship, it's a fair assumption none will relish having to deal with this twin threat.
It was certainly a lively combination and Laws will have been impressed by their contribution and also that of Johnson and Ettiene Esajas, as Wednesday completed the rout.
Johnson had replaced Esajas at half-time but well before then, this lively wingman had brought the Owls level when he equalised in the 12th minute following a free kick awarded after O'Hanlon had fouled Burton 20 yards out.
The Dons defenders were no doubt delighted when Esajas didn't come out for the second half but Johnson was a like for like replacement and the problems just wouldn't go away.
Laws must also have been delighted with the performance of his only signing so far during the summer months, former Burnley midfielder, James O'Connor.
The Dubliner, signed on a Bosman free transfer, orchestrated many Wednesday attacks and with the new season approaching, will be a key figure in the championship stakes.
CLICK ON THE GREEN PLAY ICON TO SEE PICTURES FROM LAST NIGHT'S MATCH
Wednesday: Grant (O'Donnell, 75), Hinds, Spurr ( Lakaj 60), Wood, Beevers, Watson (Gilbert 60), McAllister, OConnor, Sodje (Tudgay h-t) Burton (Clarke 60), Esajas (Jermaine Johnson h-t).
What do you think? Post your comments below.
READ MORE
Laws pulls players into line: click here for story
Bryan Robson returns to Bramall Lane
Football headlines
More Blades
More Owls
More Spireites
More Rovers
More Reds
More Millers
More Ice Hockey
More rugby league
More rugby union
More boxing
Sports columnists
All sport categories
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
