Late winner sees Owls through
Sheffield Wednesday left it late to see off struggling Mansfield Town in the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday evening, scoring an injury time winner through Florian Kamberi to record a 2-1 win.
Having made 8 changes to the side the lost late on against Oxford United on Saturday, Owls boss Darren Moore gave some fringe players a chance to make an impression. In truth it wasn’t the best game in difficult conditions but Lewis Gibson got 45 minutes under his belt in a solid first-half display from the left-sided centre-back and Moore stated after the game that he could be in contention to play against Bolton Wanderers at the weekend.
After a forgettable first half Wednesday took the lead on 63 when Wing headed home from Johnson’s cross. The lead lasted just five minutes as Wing failed to control on the edge of his own penalty area, allowing Mansfield to advance and Quinn was left unmarked with Johnson caught out at right-back having reverted from his starting position of left-back. Former Sheffield United midfielder Quinn fired home to make it 1-1 and celebrated as though he had scored the winning goal in the world cup final, running the length of the pitch to goad the Wednesday fans.
The Owls would have the last laugh however as Corbeanu cut a low cross back for Kamberi to score from close range. The win see Wednesday advance through the group stage along with Harrogate Town as they both have 6 points from two games, Mansfield and Newcastle Under 21’s have lost both their matches with one game each remaining in the group.
Gibson, Dele-Bashiru and Corbeanu were the only ones who may feel they have done enough to push for a place in the team in the league at the weekend, along with Brown who did well as a second-half substitute. Johnson got another assist but Moore’s persistence in playing him as a full-back rather than a wide midfielder or winger has seen him exposed defensively.