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Scunthorpe United 1 Sheffield Wednesday 3: Match Report
Scunthorpe Utd v Sheffield Wednesday....Liam Palmer fires in a shot
WEDNESDAY stepped up their drive for automatic promotion by moving up to the same points tally as Sheffield United and Huddersfield with a convincing victory, last night.
Two goals from Chris O’Grady and another from Jermaine Johnson gave the Owls their first win at Scunthorpe in more than 53 years.
They took the lead in the first minute and controlled the game from start to finish.
That came after Gary Megson made five changes, three of them forced.
A slight dip last Saturday in Nicky Weaver’s previously excellent form meant a first chance for loan star Stephen Bywater since he was signed on a full transfer from Derby.
Rob Jones, Reda Johnson and Lewis Buxton were ruled out on fitness grounds, and Mike Jones was dropped to the bench.
In came Miguel Llera, Jermaine Johnson, Liam Palmer and Daniel Jones, whose only other start this season was in the Carling Cup against Blackpool in August before he suffered a long-term ankle problem.
The Owls could not have wished for a better start after Iron right back Christian Ribeiro was hurt almost straight from the kick-off and was led off the pitch looking groggy as a free kick was awarded to the visitors, on the left and two thirds of the way into Scunthorpe’s half.
Llera played the free kick short up to O’Grady and in the inside left position the striker took it neatly then drilled home a low central shot from around 12 yards for his fifth goal of the season.
Ribeiro stayed off the pitch and was replaced in the fourth minute.
A simple goal made it 2-0 in the 18th minute.
Gary Madine forced a corner on the left. Chris Lines hoisted it into the centre and O’Grady soared to put away a downward header.
The Iron huffed and puffed around the Owls’ box at times but had neither the final ball nor the finish, and had had severe difficulty in coping with several more corners by Lines from the left.
One of them almost gave O’Grady his hat-trick, in the 32nd minute. As the ball was knocked down, the striker had his back to goal and improvised with an overhead kick that went just past a post.
Wednesday were in control. The first blot came in the 36th minute when Jones was tackled on the byline as he surged forward to force another corner.
It was obvious straightaway that he was in pain, with what looked like an injury to his right ankle, and physio Paul Smith needed only a brief examination before signalling for a stretcher. Mark Beevers took over, out of position at left back.
O’Grady again sought his third goal, deceiving his marker with a typical turn, on the left side of the box, before his low drive towards the far post was touched wide by Sam Slocombe.
Wednesday just needed another goal to confirm their superiority and they got it in the 47th minute.
Johnson picked up the ball fairly centrally, midway in the Iron’s half, and made a diagonal forward run from right to left, kept his head and slotted home a low shot from just inside the box.
Scunthorpe made a double substitution and found a bit of hope with a goal that was sloppy from Wednesday’s perspective: a low, left-wing corner by Josh Walker was touched home by the boot of an unchallenged Jordan Robertson through a crowd of bodies.
The home side did not celebrate - but O’Grady nearly did, seeing a shot kept out of the top corner by Slocombe, and missing an inviting cross from Palmer.
Wednesday did not wobble despite conceding that goal; they were solid at the back when they had to be, with Llera and Danny Batth impressive, and Bywater never having a save to make, and they kept pressing for goal number four.
O’Grady hit the target again, this time from longer range, and Slocombe was behind it.
Then Johnson produced two of his long runs for goal, first, instead of shooting, he tried unselfishly to set up a chance for Otsemobor, who was tackled; then once again JJ ignored an opportunity to shoot after doing the hard work and played a pass behind O’Grady.
Another goal for Scunthorpe would have flattered them but they should have one in the last minute of normal time: Garry Thompson sent a close-range header straight at Bywater.
Johnson limped off during four minutes of stoppage time. But it was a good night for the Owls - especially when it was learned that MK Dons had lost against Stevenage.
IRON: Slocombe 7, Ribeiro (Wright 4 min, 6), Canavan 6, Reid 6, Nolan 6, Walker 7, Togwell 6, O’Connor 5 (Grant 52,
7), Thompson 6, Robertson 6, Barcham 5 (Duffy 52, 6). Unused subs: Lillis, Mozika.
OWLS: Bywater 7, Otsemobor 7, Batth 8, Llera 8, D Jones 7 (Beevers 38, 7), Palmer 7, Lines 7, Semedo 7, J Johnson 8 (M Jones 90+2), O’Grady 9, Madine 7 (Morrison 89). Unused subs: Weaver, Lowe.
Ref: Tony Bates (Stoke).
Goals: O’Grady (1, 18), Johnson (47); Robertson (55).
Bookings: D Jones (32), Lines (50), Palmer (51); Walker (75).
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 43 comments to this article
Page 1 of 3
Banter Blade
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 11:11 PMStop writing LOL. Do you really laugh out loud at your own jokes? Oh, you do? Okay. Don't stop then.
UTO
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 10:21 PMHello Silver....... Sounds like you have already been on the beers.....LOL. Let's face it we'll both never win the cup and getting out of the "Pub" league is paramount. Still if we progress it'll bring much needed funds........ Especially for you lot!!!! LOL UTO
silverblade
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 10:04 PMSorry should be beer me thinks...
silverblade
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 10:02 PMBoth got a welcome break with the fa cup, but anyone else agree it is just getting in the way, can't wait to get back to the real buisiness of the league as some said there isn't a cigarette paper between us, time for strong nerves and a good supply of beerme thiks..:-)..
UTO
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 09:49 PMWhat's this a blunt first on an Owl post and just look how the deluded massive reacted when an Owl posted first on theirs!!!! Cheers though Manc, yes Scunny has been our bogey team in the past. Banter Blunt @ 6......... Don't you feel better after telling the truth!!! LOL.
Honolulu Wednesday 1867
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 08:11 PMI've heard the dirty truffle sniffers are arranging a live beam back to the sty, Currys have just announced they are providing 2 portable TV's
doggtheveryspecialdeputy
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 04:27 PMWell if you lot are going Im going aswell...
Flotter
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 04:11 PMBye Strig, I am then, Bye all!
Strigidae
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 04:07 PMAfternoon again Doggy Doo's. I'm off now because Fed Up Owl told me to go! See ya
Strigidae
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 04:05 PMFlot at # 21, Ben who?
doggtheveryspecialdeputy
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 03:57 PM@24 WTF is going on today, what bite did you get and what immitation? Umm... love and bum hugs xx is that ok , it that ok to say that haha..
Strigidae
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 03:11 PMNow I for one always said that JJ was a great player!!!
Flotter
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 02:55 PMHey HW1867, I don't think there is any bickering mate, just a bit of winding up & a few differences of opinion. We are all Wednesday, we are all happy and if MM can dodge a stint at her majesty's pleasure, we could all end up a lot happier still. Funny how a 3-1 win can help people forget about Mr Marshall though isn't it. Apparently Leicester are favourites to win his signature now. Lets hope JJ can get a bit of consistency together then! UTFO!
Honolulu Wednesday 1867
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 02:52 PMOn a lighter note. ."Sheffield United's trophy room has been broken into and contents stolen.Police are currently looking for a man in possession of a red and white carpet".
The Dukeries Owl
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 02:45 PM@21 There are lies, damn lies and statistics. Statistics never tell the full story and football is a game not an equation.
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