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'It's good to finish on a high for fans' - MATCH REPORT AND SLIDESHOW
Sheff Wed 1 Johnson (71) Cardiff 0
JERMAINE Johnson saved his best until last to make sure that Wednesday ended their season with a flourish and broke Cardiff hearts.
The Jamaica international who was recalled to the side only because Etienne Esajas was unfit produced what he regarded as his personal highlight of the entire 2008-09 campaign.
"That was brilliant for me," he enthused after his match-winning goal. "I have tried that sort of thing in training and it worked, though in games it hasn't.
"When I kicked it and it went into the corner, it was overwhelming; it was a great feeling.
"The team played well. The fans were right behind us. We wanted to give them one last showing, and it was good to finish on a high."
Johnson's stunning shot into the top corner from 20 yards brought only his third goal of the season and it dumped Cardiff out of the play-off positions.
It was also the best moment of the match for home fans in the biggest Hillsborough crowd of the campaign who saw a tight and keenly fought contest.
Wednesday piled in the effort and gave a promotion-chasing side a stiff test.
Johnson's magic moment, after the ball broke out to him from the penalty area, was nothing more than half an opportunty.
Wednesday near misses fell mostly to Marcus Tudgay, who started up front to replace the injured Leon Clarke, with Sean McAllister going to the right side of midfield and James O'Connor getting a recall in the middle.
A long-ball towards to Kop made the first chance as Michael Chopra got away from Richard Wood and forced a one-handed stop from Lee Grant in the 18th minute.
News that Birmingham were winning brought a roar from the home crowd and there was nearly a bigger one moments later when Tudgay was inches away from connecting withn an O'Connor cross in front of goal.
Three minutes later the Owls' Player of the Year did make contact, attempting to volley a through ball, and keeper Tom Heaton blocked him in the box.
After that burst of excitement the contest settled down until right winger Chris Burke made a run into the box and Cardiff fans celebrated after he went down, thinking the ref was pointing to the penalty spot.
The challenge had been fair and was outside the box and Mr Crossley was giving a goal kick for a subsequent shot across goal by left winger Peter Whittingham.
A real let-off did come Wednesday's way from a corner in first-half stoppage time.
Roger Johnson, who is always a threat at set pieces, powered a header against Grant's right-hand post; Johnson's centre back partner Darren Purse had a chance from the rebound and saw his shot deflected off target by team-mate Michael Chopra.
Attacking inspiration from Wednesday came early in the second half from an unlikely source: Mark Beevers, on as a sub for the injured Richard Hinds, made a storming run forward; Jeffers flicked his pass and Tudgay smacked a shot over the top as three defenders threw themselves at him.
That was Jeffers' final involvement: he went off in the 52nd minute with a groin problem; Luke Boden came on, to the left side of midfield, and Johnnson was pushed up front.
Cardiff's 4,000 fans were in great voice but the home crowd too kept the atmosphere going and rejoiced in a second goal for Birmingham.
In truth, the atmosphere was better than the football.
The Owls missed a chance in the 69th minute: a left-wing cross by Johnson gave Tudgay a free header and he put it across goal from eight yards.
A gesture of frustration told that the Owls' 14-goal top scorer knew he should have done better.
Two minutes later Johnson struck and home fans erupted.
More agony was soon to follow for the away camp; Preston had taken the lead and with Burnley as well winning, Cardiff were outside the top six as the clock wound down.
The Owls kept their competitive edge and there was clearly no thought of just hanging on to what they had.
McAllister was taken off to make way for fresh legs up front and there was another outing for Nathan Modest, who made his debut at Cardiff in December.
The teenager laid off a ball to Johnson, who was now back on the right wing, and the latter's cross brought an far-post opportunity that was knocked across goal by Boden.
The Bluebirds left three at the back and sent Johnson up as a third forward and he should have equalised.
Grant had to come out of his area to head clear; the big Cardiff No 12 had only to hit the target as Steve Watson did in the Sheffield derby, but the lob sailed over the bar as well as clearing Grant. Johnson sank to his knees in despair.
Wednesday signed off with a lap of the pitch to applaud their fans and many of the players took their kids along.
Brian Laws joined in by taking his still nameless baby son on his first tour of Hillsborough, then gave him back to wife Jane and took the microphone.
The Owls manager told fans: "Thanks for your support. It's been outstanding. Let's hope that next season we have a better season and you'll see some better football.
"Have a great summer; I'm looking forward to seeing you again next season."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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