Wednesday 1-0 Leeds

By Nicholas Rigg
September 18 2005

Wednesday have grabbed their first win of the season following a deserved win against rivals L**ds United. Spurred on by 30,000 at Hillsborough, the Owls had to hold back some heavy pressure in the second half, but created more chances which could have seen the game beyond Leeds' reach by half time.

‘Who needs Mourinho, we’ve got Paul Sturrocko!’ was the cry around Hillsborough following Wednesday’s first league win of the season against Leeds United on Tuesday night.

A single goal from loanee Chris Eagles in the ninth minute was enough to give the Owls a deserved victory in front of a packed Hillsborough crowd.

Paul Sturrock made two changes the side that lost to Leicester at the weekend, with Chris Brunt regaining his place on the left flank and Burton O’Brien moving in to the centre to replace Craig Rocastle. John Hills returned from suspension to replace Maurice Ross.

The game began in frantic style, but following disappointing results for both teams at the weekend it was the hosts who made the better start, penetrating the Leeds defence down both flanks through Brunt and Eagles.

The deciding goal came in just the ninth minute, following a foul on the edge of the box. Chris Eagles crossed the ball in to the box, and the ball went straight into the visitors’ goal and no contact was made.

This was to be the bench mark for the following half an hour of the match, as Wednesday created chance after chance.

Glenn Whelen sliced the ball wide with a golden opportunity in the Leeds box just minutes later. Lee Peacock also missed a guilt-edged chance from just 6-yards, forcing a good save from Neil Sullivan in the Leeds goal.

Confusion between Eagles and Graham also let Leeds off the hook when both players were through on goal, only to be caught offside with poor passing decisions. Chris Brunt also came close with a header which was glanced just wide.

Leeds came in to it as the first half drew to a close, and a header from David Healy forced a good but comfortable save from David Lucas in the Owls goal.

The second half carried on where the first left off, with the visitors finding their way back in to the game and forcing Wednesday to defend in numbers. For their possession though, they created no clear-cut chances in front of goal thanks to some fantastic Wednesday defending.

Richard Wood and Graham Coughlan had their best games of the season, and John Hills and Frankie Simek also strengthened the defence that looked so vulnerable at the weekend.

Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell decided changes had to be made in order to break the Wednesday back line down. The introduction of Robbie Blake and Rob Hulse sent the Hillsborough faithfuls heart into overdrive, but Wednesday coped with everything their Yorkshire rivals threw at them.

Blake had a shot diverted behind by some brave defending from Wakefield born Wood, and Hulse had a header tipped over by a good save from Lucas.

For all the pressure Wednesday were under, they still broke to create the best two chances of the half.

A superb pass from Chris Eagles was met by the head of David Graham only for Neil Sullivan to perform acrobatics and turn the ball over. Chris Brunt also saw a magnificent 30-yard effort crash against the bar.

The final whistle was met by a roar reminiscent to Cardiff, and should be the first of many victories should the Owls put in more performances like this.

 

MY MAN OF THE MATCH: Richard Wood