Sat 17th September

By Nicholas Rigg
September 17 2005

In this section of Wednesday Wonderland we take a look at how Wednesday are hitting the news: either in newspapers, or on other media websites. These articles are totally independant from Wednesday Wonderland and are not the views expressed by our site.

from www.teamtalk.com:

Former Sheffield United duo Barry Hayles and Carl Asaba proved Sheffield Wednesday's undoing with the goals in a 2-1 win for Millwall.

Hayles gave the Lions the lead just after half-time when Alan Dunne's cross sparked a goalmouth scramble, only for Graham Coughlan to equalise with his first goal since joining from Plymouth in the summer.

Asaba, who had replaced Ben May after he was taken off with what appeared to be a serious injury in the first half, scored the winner when he netted his first goal in his second appearance since arriving from Stoke, to ensure Wednesday dropped to the foot of the Championship.

Both teams were unchanged after impressive midweek wins but despite the mood of optimism it was a tight opening between the two strugglers.

Owls winger Chris Eagles, on loan from Manchester United, had the first opportunity on goal but his curling free-kick flew over following Philip Ifil's foul on Chris Brunt 25 yards out.

The visitors gradually established a narrow advantage but had only a couple of corners and a dangerous Ifil cross to show for their efforts.

However, Jamie Vincent almost let the home side in, with a slack backpass being picked up by Lee Peacock only for Lions goalkeeper Andy Marshall to pull off a decent save.

That started a flurry of attacks from both teams and almost immediately, David Livermore had a shot blocked by Frank Simek at the other end and May headed over from the subsequent corner.

Midway through the opening period it was Wednesday's turn to pile forward and John Hills had an effort frantically cleared by impressive Lions defender Ady Williams and David Graham later whistled a 30-yard strike over and Brunt hit a free-kick narrowly wide.

Graham headed wide from close range in added time but the game remained firmly in the balance at the interval.

The goalmouth action continued from the re-start, with Hayles blasting over for Millwall and Wednesday's Peacock curling wide of the post.

But five minutes into the second period, Hayles, who had a spell at Sheffield United last season, broke the deadlock for the Lions following a goalmouth scramble.

Owls boss Paul Sturrock immediately made a double change with Eagles and Graham replaced by Lee Bullen and Adam Proudlock but Asaba almost doubled the lead shortly after.

Peacock was thwarted again when he volleyed straight at Marshall before Wednesday levelled with Coughlan's header from Brunt's cross in the 66th minute.

However, Millwall's lead was restored when Asaba nodded in from Jermaine Wright's cross with 16 minutes remaining.

Wednesday piled the pressure on and Peacock, Burton O'Brien and Richard Wood all went close but Millwall held on for their second away win of the week.


 


 

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