Sheffield Wednesday recorded their first win in three league games and extended their winning run to three games in all competitions on Saturday afternoon when they saw off the challenge of Rochdale by two goals to nil at Hillsborough.
As expected Alan Irvine was forced to make one change to his starting line up with injured right-back Jon Otsemobor making way for centre-back Mark Beevers as Lewis Buxton reverted to full-back.
Having made bright starts in their two recent cup victories Wednesday were significantly slower out of the blocks in this one as the visitors looked to get on the front foot.
Joe Thompson stung the palms of Nicky Weaver in the Owls goal who then also denied Rochdale’s top scorer Gary Jones.
Having failed to make the most of their bright start to the game the away side became more compact and the match was offering little to warm up either set of supporters on a chilly afternoon in Sheffield.
Wednesday finally created a chance of note with around 30 minutes gone when Morrison’s endeavour took him to the goal line where he was able to dig out a cross which was met by his strike partner Mellor whose thumping header came back off the bar.
Rochdale went close to taking the lead shortly before half-time when a powerful header from Dawson looked destined to hit the target but was deflected wide off his team mate, Jason Kennedy.
The home side started the second half with much more impetus as Morrison got a shot on target then Teale cut into the penalty area from the left and forced dale keeper Lillis to palm away his stinging strike. Wednesday took the lead just after the hour mark when Morrison picked out Coke who powered a shot home in front of the kop from just inside the penalty area.
Having deservedly gone in front following their imposing start to the second period the owls then had a shaky spell and could easily have been pegged back with 20 minutes remaining. Purse made a hash of dealing with a headed pass from O’Grady, leaving Thompson to go through on goal. The midfielder chipped the ball over the advancing Weaver but saw his effort go narrowly wide, much to the relief of the Hillsborough faithful.
Having survived that scare the Owls rallied once more and Teale was denied when a defender bravely threw himself in the way of his powerful strike. Wednesday wrapped up the points in the last 10 minutes when Miller poked the ball forward inside the penalty area and an alert Morrison redirected the ball on goal with a deft header as the Rochdale defence looked in vain for an offside flag.
The Owls are now 9th in the League One table, just two points behind third placed Bournemouth. Wednesday travel to 7th placed MK Dons next Saturday and then host struggling Walsall a week on Tuesday.
In other news the Owls have been drawn to face fellow League One side Carlisle in the northern section semi-final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy with the tie taking place during the week beginning November 29th.