It may not have been spectacular but it was an efficient, hard-working performance that enabled Sheffield Wednesday to record a 1-0 win at Carlisle on Saturday, just what the club needed to get back on track.
After 12 league games without a clean sheet Wednesday looked solid in the 0-0 draw at high-flying Bournemouth last Tuesday and true to his word, manager Gary Megson chose to stick with the same team that have served him well that evening.
On paper a back four of Hinds, Johnson, Beevers and Spurr would not be many Owls fans’ first choice defence given the options that are available but out on the field where it counts they have succeeded where countless other combinations have failed in recent weeks and all deserve their place in the side.
Wednesday’s five man midfield did well in the early stages to nullify the attacking intent of the home team that had taken 7 points from their last three games and having established a foothold in the game it was the Owls that then began to create chances.
The first real opportunity of note came on 15 minutes as Spurr worked the space to cross but Madine headed his first chance against his former club high over the crossbar.
Just five minutes later Wednesday grabbed the lead from their third corner of the afternoon. Spurr’s cross was headed towards goal by Madine, he was denied by a goal-line clearance by Robson but the ball went straight to Owls captain Tommy Miller who volleyed home from close range to the delight of the travelling supporters.
Wednesday were holding Carlisle comfortably at arms length and just before the half hour mark Teale threatened to double their advantage when he cut inside from the length only to see his shot on target saved routinely by Adam Collin in the home goal.
The home side finally gave their fans something to cheer 10 minutes before the break when front man Ben Marshall cut inside and hit a curling effort that was palmed to safety by Weaver. 5 minutes later Zoko’s flick picked out in form striker Curran but his volley goes wide of the Wednesday goal.
As the half drew to a close Spurr went close to adding to the visitors lead when his looping cross almost gets the better of Collin who is forced to tip over his own bar. The resulting corner came to nothing but Wednesday went into the break happy.
Darren Potter replaced Liam Palmer in the owls midfield for the start of the 2nd half and the game restarted in much the same fashion as it had done in the first half with both sides cancelling each other out and failing to create clear cut chances as a result.
Wednesday almost gave themselves some breathing space just before the hour mark when the ball fell to Teale in the penalty area after a bit of a scramble but the Scot scooped his shot over the bar.
10 minutes later Madine is replaced by Morrison and the former Carlisle striker gets a generous reception from all sides of the stadium as he departs.
The game wasn’t much of a spectacle at this stage but the Owls were doing more than enough to keep their hosts at bay without looking likely to extend their lead.
A couple of late corners for the home side came to nothing and Wednesday deservedly brought their winless run to an end.
The back four had protected Weaver well as he was only forced to make one save of note throughout the afternoon while Wednesday enjoyed more possession, forced more corners and had more shots on and off target.
Megson will be looking for more of the same from his players next Saturday as he looks to secure his first home win as Owls boss when the team face cash-stricken Plymouth Argyle at Hillsborough.