Wednesday get the ball rolling

A volley from Chris Marsden, a diving header from Steve MacLean and a cool finish from Adam Proudlock gave Chris Turner's men the win but they had to fight for the victory as North End pulled two goals back thanks to ex-Owl Richard Cresswell and David Healy to give the game a frantic finish.

Glenn Whelan was exceptional in the heart of the engine room with winger Jon-Paul McGovern also impressing. Most of the squad played at some stage except for Lee Peacock, who is not yet match fit.

But despite the result, new skipper Marsden says that the Ibiza trip is all about team-building and the players must resist all temptations around them.

He said: “It’s good for the lads to get to know each other while we have two games in four days. We are there to work hard and I have no doubt we will have the odd beer to cool down but I don’t think it is too much to ask for the players to behave themselves.

Guy Branston agrees, and he believes he has come to Hillsborough to play football, not to party.

The former Rotherham defender said: “The gaffer’s already warned me and the rest of the team we are not allowed out but we will be socialising on the pitch anyhow – and let’s face it, if you can’t socialise on the pitch you can’t socialise anywhere.

“I have just come here to do my best and to win the balls at the back, and I promised the gaffer I would do that before I signed. "

Wednesday will play Watford in the final of the competition on Thursday night.

Wednesday get the ball rolling

Last updated : 14 July 2004 By Andy Parsons