Sheffield Wednesday eased to a 2-0 victory over Hartlepool at Victoria Park on Tuesday evening in the latest step of their pre-season schedule.
Wednesday put out a strong side against the League One side with Lee Grant in goal, Simek, Hinds, Wood and Spurr making up the back four, France, O’Connor, Potter and Gray playing across the middle of the park with Francis Jeffers partnering Marcus Tudgay up-front. Etienne Esajas, Sean McAllister, Akpo Sodje and Leon Clarke all made appearances from the bench in the second half.
By that time however the Owls had the result safely wrapped up and they were not really given much of an examination by the home side.
Wednesday took the lead inside 15 minutes when Marcus Tudgay, who had already spurned a decent opportunity, slotted home after a fine through ball from Jeffers.
The result was more or less secured inside half an hour when Ryan France finished with aplomb after running on to a first time pass from Tudgay.
The North-East side who ran Wednesday so close in that unforgettable play-off final in 2005 were rarely able to create opportunities to test Lee Grant in the Owls goal and the Wednesday were able to express themselves with a number of well constructed passing moves and should perhaps have added more goals to reflect their superiority.
The on-trial France was involved in many of the Owls positive attacking moves and has done himself do harm at all as Brian Laws considers whether to offer the local man a permanent deal.
Meanwhile Marcus Tudgay, the subject of intense speculation in relation of a move to Burnley again showed his professionalism.
SWFC have made no secret that they are unhappy with a number of aspects surrounding the Premier League club’s interest in the striker but Laws has been quick to point out that he has not had any issues with the player himself and Tudgay put in another good display on the back of a good tour of Malta.
A youthful Owls side is set to play at Stocksbridge tomorrow and the first team will face its sternest test of the summer to date against Premier League Hull City at Hillsborough on Saturday.