The Owls were in action at local side Hallam on Tuesday night

This was no World Cup semi-final but Sheffield Wednesday’s pre-season in front of their own fans is up and running.

At a sun-soaked Sandygate, a youthful Owls side played out a goalless draw against Hallam. Wednesday fielded two young line-ups, with mainly under-21s in the first-half and under-18s in the second 45.

Senior first-team players attended and mingled with supporters before kick-off, posing for pictures and signing shirts. In a what was a thoughtful gesture, they took to the pitch to line-up and make it easier for youngsters to get their selfies and not be left disappointed.

When the game kicked-off, coaches Giles Coke and Pete Shuttleworth led from the touchline, with Henrik Pedersen watching on further back. Coke and Shuttleworth were regularly in conversation and deep in thought as they pondered over the potential future stars of the club.

In the first-half, Wednesday kicked up the Sandygate slope and after conceding a couple of early chances they settled down and created some openings of their own but it remained goalless at the break. A number of academy products who were flung into first-team action last season provided the ‘experience.’ Cole McGhee, Reece Johnson, Sean Fusire, Jarvis Thornton, Will Grainger and Devlan Moses all featured. Goalkeeper Logan Stretch made one good blocked saved was comfortable with the ball at his feet, Joe Emery was a steady customer, McGhee’s headed clearances were Dan Burn-esque and Will Grainger made some intelligent off-the-ball runs.

The even younger youngsters took to the field in the second-half. In classic pre-season fashion, some fans opted to stay in the bar and kept poking their heads out to ask if ‘owt had happened.’ Not much had, but the under-18s gave a good account of themselves and people cheered enthusiastically for them.

The sun went in but the songs came out. There was a very pre-season rendition of Hi Ho Silver Lining at half-time. Friendly Hallam staff offered fans free sandwiches, pork pies and sausage rolls as full-time to a close as people scrambled to find the nearest screen to watch Mbappe and co.

It was a typical pre-season runout but a very enjoyable one, especially after what happened a year ago when supporters could not attend any friendly matches. It was not France v Spain but it will do!