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Owls birthday boy bangs in brace
Sheffield Wednesday 2 Notts County 1
JAMES O'Connor enjoyed a double celebration as he clinched a Johnstone's Paint Trophy victory with two goals on his 31st birthday - and he very nearly had a hat-trick.
The midfielder had scored only three times in two years at Hillsborough until last night when he struck twice in the opening 14 minutes. And in the third minute of stoppage time he had a chance for the treble, curling a shot just wide from the edge of the box.
Winger Ben Davies pulled one back for County in the first half but Wednesday deserved their win in an entertaining tussle watched by 10,551.
Partly restricted by the competition rules, which demand that teams include six first-teamers, Alan Irvine retained seven members of the side that began the 5-0 win at Hartlepool and he recalled Daniel Jones, O'Connor, Clinton Morrison and Jon Otsemobor.
Wednesday were given a proper "Hi Ho Silver Lining" send-off by their fans - who filled the South Stand and part of the North - and made a proper start with a goal in the second minute in front of the empty Kop.
Gary Teale crossed from the left, Chris Sedgwick hooked the ball back from beyond the far post and O'Connor volleyed home from three yards.
Ex-Owls keeper Rob Burch saved a fair 25-yard strike by Marcus Tudgay but was beaten in his bottom right-hand corner when O'Connor half-volleyed home from near the penalty spot to make it 2-0 after patient build-up by the Owls, a pass by playmaker-in-chief Darren Potter out to Ostembor and a deflected cross by the full back.
County got one back completely against run of play: left-winger Ben Davies curled a free kick from the left into the far bottom corner.
Then Tudgay went close with a 30-yarder after a crossfield ball by Teale and an assist from Sedgwick.
Davies' set pieces were the visitors' main threat - and centre half Mike Edwards drove a free header over the bar from one of his corners, just before half time.
Sedgwick walked off in the 38th minute and was replaced by Tommy Miller on the right side of midfield.
Wednesday were soon into their stride in the second half. A lovely lay-off by Tudgay gave Teale an opening to cross: Morrison was waiting and showed his frustration as the ball was intercepted.
Teale then showed quality in going in between two defenders, before being fouled. Jones's free kick was a beauty, and Tudgay powered in a header that came out off the underside of the bar, in the 63rd minute.
Davies gave the Owls another scare with a free kick that passed across the face of goal.
But good stuff from Wednesday going forward was followed by a Potter long-range blast and a stop from Burch.
Weaver bettered that, going full length to his left to push away a 22-yard strike by sub Craig Westcarr in the 79th minute.
The Owls threatened to make it 3-1 in a late breakaway involving Tudgay, Mellor and O'Connor but County recovered in time to stop them.
Greater glory beckoned for O'Connor in the third minute of stoppage time. Mellor battled for possession and put him through but the Irishman's shot went past Burch's left-hand post. The midfielder sank to his knees in frustration.
At least he had already done enough to put the Owls into the Trophy second-round draw on Saturday.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
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