Match Report: Norwich City 0-1 Wednesday
By Nicholas Rigg
November 1 2005
Wednesday move up to 18th position in the Championship following their first away victory of the season against Norwich City at Carrow Road. A 79th Minute Chris Brunt strike was the only goal which seperated the two sides. The defeat for Norwich heaps pressure on boss Nigel Worthington.
Date: Saturday 29th October Venue: Carrow Road, Norwich
Norwich 0-1 Wednesday
Wednesday picked up their first away win of the season thanks to a 79th minute Chris Brunt strike.
The victory moved the Owls up to 18th place in the Championship still with an extra game to play, but heaps the pressure on Norwich boss Nigel Worthington who tonight finds his side in 20th position in the league following a run of bad form.
Paul Sturrock gave a debut to loan signing Gabriel Agbonlahor in place of David Graham, and Richard Wood got his chance in the the first team alongside Graeme Lee due to the injury of Graham Coughlan - who could be out until Christmas.
Norwich boss Nigel Worthington was handed an injury boost before the match when Adam Drury and Youssef Safri passed late fitness tests and were thrown back in to first team action.
Wednesday boss Sturrock was sure to have warned his side about the threat the Norwich attack offers in the shape of Dean Ashton and the pacey Darren Huckerby. Huckerbys pace was already a threat in the first few minutes of the game when he twice broke through but was caught offside by the Owls defence. Richard Wood and Graeme Lee knew they were going to be in for a tough 90 minutes.
The first real chance of the game went to Wednesday though, and new signing Agbonlahor was at the thick of the action. Chris Brunt managed to sweep past Craig Fleming and put in a dangerous low cross which fell at the feet of the Villa loanee, only for his effort to cannon off the woodwork.
The threat from the Canaries was still present though, and only some determined defending by Wednesday stopped the hosts taking the lead just after the 15 minute mark. Dean Marney's cross-come-shot was well saved by David Lucas, but the clearence only fell to Safri who's shot was well blocked by Graeme Lee.
Norwich were desperate to get the three points and they soon found themselves with another great opportunity just moments later. A great through ball by Marney found Norwich skipper Andy Hughes through on goal, but his effort was skied over the bar with just Lucas to beat.
The game was still end-to-end stuff despite the hosts having the better of the possesion, and Norwich were nearly made to pay for their earlier misses when Agbonlahor turned and forced a good save from Green in the City goal.
At the other end another great through ball from Andy Hughes found hitman Ashton through on goal, but despite his neat touch, his shot went wide of Lucas' goal.
Either side could have gone in to the break with the lead, but it remained 0-0. Nigel Worthington changed his side at half time with Dean Marney being replaced by Ian Henderson who partnered Ashton up front. This meant that Huckerby moved to the right side of the midfield, maybe to the relief of the Wednesday centre-backs. Wednesday made no changes.
The first 15 minutes of the second half began in scrappy fashion, with long balls being preferred to creativity in the middle of the field.
Norwich were still able to carve out a few half-chances though, as Darren Huckerby cut in from the right wing after beating two defenders, only to see his long range effort comfortably saved by Lucas at his near post.
Dean Ashton also came close with a good effort from 25-yards, but his shot drifted wide of Lucas' goal.
Sturrock made his first change of the match when the in-form Chris Eagles was replaced by Richie Partridge on 67 minutes - a move which would create the deciding goal of the game.
The breakthrough came when Brunt tracked back and sent Partridge through on goal. His effort was well saved by Green but Brunt was on hand to smash in the rebound from just six-yards which sent the travelling army in to raptures.
But the Wednesday fans and players alike knew that the game was not won until the final whistle was blown, after conceding late on in their previous three fixtures. The ball was played in to the corner's and Wednesday managed to hold out for a vital three points which lifts them to 18th place in the table.
My Man Of The Match: Graeme Lee
Norwich City:
Green, Fleming (Colin 82), Davenport, Doherty, Drury, Marney (Henderson 45), Safri, Hughes, Brennan (Thorne 67), Ashton, Huckerby.
Subs Not Used: Ward, Charlton.
Wednesday:
Lucas, Simek, Lee, Wood, Hills, Eagles (Partridge 67), Whelan, Rocastle, Brunt (O'Brien 85), Peacock, Agbonlahor (Graham 82).
Subs Not Used: Bullen, Heckingbottom.
Paul Sturrock told the official SWFC site:
''We were dissapointed with the start. Some of the chances Norwich had in the first half were Sheffield-made. Our defence was like pigs in space.''
''We probably took six or seven minutes off the end of the game and they got their reward.''
''It's nice to have more points than games played but we've got a big game at Reading on Tuesday.''
Paul Sturrock told BBC Sport:
"I think the Norwich fans will go away feeling rather hard done by because they certainly deserved something from the game.
"But that has been the case with us on a number of occasions. "In this game it's a case of swings and roundabouts when things go your way you are delighted to take it.
"We started poorly today but we gradually got into the game and I am just delighted with the result. It is our first away win of the season and hopefully we can now build on that."
Attendance: 25,383
Referee: J Robinson (8/10)
