As the teams were announced one thing was for certain, Fulham were taking Wednesday seriously, naming a first 11 regularly seen in the Premier League. The Owls also fielded a strong line-up, including the fit again Gary Madine. So, to the action...
Straight from the off, Wednesday made it clear they will be closing down the Fulham defenders as Madine quickly closes down a ball to the centre back, a little too keenly - resulting in the games first free kick. As the early minutes tick on, the travelling Londoners seem happy to keep a calm head, along with possession, but not really making any headway. As they see no way through, a direct long ball to Duff is cut out by the Owls defence. A copy of the long ball, with the same result comes from Wednesday and it's easy to see that this game will be harder than that! When Giles Coke picks up the ball in the middle of the park and releases Nejc Pecnik, Fulham look static, a ball through to Maguire and an unfortunate scuff kills the move. Not put off by their attempted long ball, Fulham try again - looking to utilise Rodallega's pace but again it's easy for the Wednesday back line. The Owls are still closing down Fulham - not allowing any time on the ball and looking very well organised. The Paralympic flame then takes centre stage as the radio station covers the arrival of the games. Steve Sidwell then clatters Jose Semedo to pick up the games first booking in the centre of the field, the same player then clears a 34 yard free kick from Coke. The next 5mins are taken up by the Paralympic flame again (a pitfall of not being at the game!) so twitter keeps my attention and I see from @swfc that an Owls penalty for handball gets waved away. A booking to Kasami follows good work in the final third by Antonio and Maguire, ending disappointingly. Antonio is growing into the game and Fulham are struggling to keep tabs on him, after a 15yard run he hits a shot straight at Schwarzer, then moments later swings a ball in towards Maguire but the giant Fulham defender, Hangelaand clears. As half time approaches, a Madine header is straight at the keeper and at the other end Bywater watches another long shot fly over the bar. The half ends with Wednesday on top, firstly an Antonio shot flies over the bar after an impressive run and a Cruyff turn to make space, then Schwarzer has to smother at the feet of Madine 6yards out.
HT. On reflection, Sidwell should have received a red for a string of poor tackles. The commentator then says: "We might not make it back in time to Hillsborough as I've got to go through the half time scores then we have the news" - very professional! Time for a Quaver sandwich and a cookie (made by myself, peanut butter & banana!)
The second half coverage starts 4mins in just as a Llera shot is cleared off the line by Kasami. Then chance of a breakthrough as Hughes fouls Maguire in the box, PENALTY! Up steps Madine to send Schwarzer the wrong way, 1-0 Wednesday! As "Barmy Army" resonates around the ground, Wednesday are in the ascendancy. A head injury to Coke, received from a sliding tackle to prevent Sidwell getting sight on goal, holds up play for a few minutes. Fulham look dangerous at set pieces and a Duff shot after a corner gets scrambled away. That's quickly followed by a free kick by Rodallega that sees Brede Hangeland head past Bywater, only to be denied by a linesman's flag. After some good teamwork by D.Jones and Pecnik, double teaming Duff to clear the ball, Antonio goes on another run, releasing Pecnik for a shot over the bar. The biggest cheer since the goal fills the stadium as the Spanish striker Rodri enters the field of play, replacing Maguire. Another free kick sees Brede Hangeland head over, this route seems to be Fulhams best way back into the game. Wednesday could have made the game safe when Madine breaks through on goal, only to see the offside flag, after stopping he sees the game has continued as the referee didn't blow the whistle, overruling his assistant - unbeknown to the Wednesday forward. A brilliant save by Schwarzer, tipping the ball off the crossbar and over from a Pecnik shot, followed good work by Antonio and Rodri. The resulting corner gets cleared. After Sidwell hits the side netting, Wednesday advance on the Fulham goal with a 51yard run by the majestic Antonio, only to be halted by a foul from Briggs. Llera wasted the opportunity giving the ball straight to the Fulham GK. A great tackle by Hughes prevents Madine doubling his goal tally as the clock winds down. SWFC keep possession, running the clock down in the corners but frustration quickly grows in Fulham and a reckless Sidwell foul on Rodri sees the midfielder escape a second yellow. The four minutes of added time sees Wednesday keep possession and be repeatedly fouled by Baird, running the clock down to the whistle.
FT!! Wednesday beat Premiership side Fulham 1-0.
ATTENDANCE: 14,177
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