Young Sheffield Wednesday trio star in EFL Trophy win against Salford City - who are they?
The Owls beat Salford City 2-1 in the EFL Trophy last night
Three Sheffield Wednesday youngsters made their senior debuts in Tuesday night’s 2-1 EFL Trophy win against Salford City.
The Owls made eight changes from the draw against Stockport County on Saturday, providing an opportunity for some of the club’s youth products to get a taste of first-team football. Although it may not be a game that lives long in the memory for Owls fans, it will be fondly looked back on by Wednesday’s teenage trio.
Joel Akpobi was handed his debut from the start and played off the left flank. Showcasing his speed, directness and bravery, the lively winger created the equaliser when his cross from the left was headed in by Davis Keillor Dunn 10 minutes in the second-half. His bright performance earned him the man of the match. Wednesdayites applauded and shook his hand as he walked around the edge of the pitch after being substituted late on. Not much was known about him beforehand, but his name will have been on the lips of supporters heading back across the Pennines. Although he was raw, with Wednesday short of wide options after injury to Louie Barry, Akpobi certainly did his chances of getting more first-team minutes no harm.
Akpobi was first spotted at Wednesday’s Middlewood Road training ground in August 2025. After impressing on trial, he later signed a two-year contract last December. Before that, he had been at XYZ Academy, a non-profit organisation based in Croydon, London. They say they have helped more than 50 players sign professional contracts at clubs since 2016, including to the Premier League. Their website states it ‘aims to engage young people between the ages of 14-21 in a range of constructive activities to provide life-changing opportunities, positive role models and friendships, and divert them away from crime and anti-social behaviour.” Akpobi, who was given an opportunity after a bright start to the academy season, had also previously been in the youth ranks at non-league Welling United.
On Akpobi’s man of the match performance, Pedersen said: “He was nervous, so nervous. But he did it really, really well. He played with a big, big courage and a big heart. Big respect for how he handled this game tonight, his first game. He did it well. He has trained many times with us but not too regularly. I really think he adapted to the style really, really well and defensively he did a really good job. He had good principles to go for and he did it really well. Offensively he played with courage and was ready to make a difference. Big respect to the young man.”
Akpobi’s team-mate McPartland can also hold his head up high, after coming off the bench on the hour and playing a part in Wednesday winning a penalty which Jamal Lowe tucked away to earn the visitors all three points. The right-back, previously of Middlesbrough, signed his professional contract with the club in the summer.
Meanwhile, although it was only for a few minutes, fellow youngster Samuel Duruh, also came on for his senior debut. The Nigeria-born former Kilmarnock striker had spent time on loan in Scottish non-league football. Duruh spent his formative years in Spain where he spent time playing in a club with links to Valencia before moving with his family to Scotland aged 10. He initially spent time with Motherwell before making the switch to Killie and signed professional terms last year.
Pedersen added: “I think for tonight it was a really good possibility to get a lot of game practice for the young guys and to train who we want to be. I think it was natural to play more young players tonight, and then really use it for them to train how we want to be.”