With the match underway, The Addicks were quick to attack with barely 20 seconds on the clock and a Lawrie Wilson swinging cross having to be dealt with by Miguel Llera. The Owls were boosted by a return from injury by Reda Johnson but the defender was caught out and conceded an early foul on Wilson. Johnnie Jacksons left-footed swinging free-kick is cleared by Gary Madine before any Charlton players can connect. Visiting keeper Ben Hamer is forced into a brilliant save from a 20 yard stinging shot by David Prutton, then has Danny Haynes to thank for blocking Anthony Gardners 18yard follow up shot. The resulting corner is headed over by Gardner to Charltons relief. On only the 10th minute, Reda Johnson is caught out again and concedes another foul, again on Wilson - and a minute later the Benin defender sees yellow for a repeat on the same player. Ex-Barnsley striker Haynes has a chance to get through on goal after decent interplay but strays too early and is flagged offside in a wasted Charlton attack. The visitors had former Owl Michael Morrison to thank in the 18th minute when he makes a clearance from Michail Antonios dangerous cross and when Lleras corner lands in the box Wilson hammers clear. As the 20th minute approached, the deadlock was broken - when Rhys McCabe fired a rocket of a volley into the roof of the net from just outside the area - prompting massive celebrations from the stands. Hamer had no chance with McCabes goal but does well to save an Antonio effort on the 21st minute and Antonio then fires his next effort wide. The next few minutes sees free-kicks conceded by both teams as Charlton try to reset their defence and Wednesday try to prevent the Addicks counter attacking. Wednesdays pacey winger Antonio, causes Chris Powells defence problems and the manager is frantically gesturing for him to be closed down quicker just as he fires a shot inches wide of Hamers left hand post. In a strong period of pressure, The Owls were forcing Hamer into saves that kept his side in the match - Chris O'Grady testing the keeper twice in quick succession. The travelling 'Red Army' appeal for a penalty as the break approaches, Yann Kermorgant is appeared to be bundled over from behind as he is about to tap home an equaliser but nothing is awarded before the referee blows for half time.
HT. Wow what a half! The confidence from the Barnsley game is working wonders and what a cracker from McCabe. Charlton are dangerous on the break though but if we keep up the pressure surely another goal will come. Half time snack today is of course a mince pie & a coffee ... it's nearly Christmas afterall!
The second half gets underway and it's not long until Antonio is racing wing-backs and on the 49th minute only the linesman's flag prevents the winger a chance on goal. Charlton attempt to get back into the match when Lewis Buxton fouls Haynes and Jackson fires in the free kick, only to see the Wednesday back line stay firm. Former Stevenage player Wilson sees yellow on the 53rd minute and only 2mins later, Daniel Seabourne gives away a free kick for fouling Antonio and Lleras direct effort is defended well. Another Owls defender, Gardner sees a glorious chance go begging when his header deep inside the box flies wide. The London side have keeper Hamer to thank for this not being a huge score line and he again denies O'Grady in the 58th minute. David Prutton makes way for Chris Lines on the 66th minute a few minutes after Ricardo Fuller enters the game. The Charlton frontman is quick into the action when he fires a shot that Llera does well to block. After Wednesday have a handful of crosses cleared, Charlton look to build from the back and a move sees them create a chance only for Llera to clear Jacksons corner in the 73rd minute and cancel any momentum the Addicks were building. The same minute and workhorse O'Grady is replaced by Kieran Lee in another bid to stop the Charlton momentum gaining. Manchester City loanee Jeremy Hélan has been racing down the left wing all game but is in the left-back position to clear Haynes cross as the box behind him is filling with Charlton players. Hoping to capitalise on the pressure they were building, Charlton force a corner as the last 10mins approach but Danny Greens out swinger is again dealt with by the Owls and a slick move sees Hélan in an advanced position testing Hamer who makes the save. The game becomes end to end and Buxton blocks a Chris Solly cross and then a Fuller strike on goal as Wednesday cling to the clean sheet. The right-back is working the line well and only a Leon Cort clearance prevents his cross meeting a Wednesday head. On the other side, Reda Johnson sees his centre smothered by Hamer. As the end of the game is in sight, Gary Madine - who has been chasing doing well, is replaced by loanee Mamady Sidibe as the Owls look to seal the 3 points. Goal scorer McCabe has a good chance to wrap the game up in the 89th minute but his shot from just inside the area clears the crossbar. The home fans do have one more goal to celebrate though as in the 93rd minute, Hélan chases down a lost ball out wide in the corner - and after evading 4 players slams a left footed drive into the net from an acute angle! The referee brings the game to an end and as a result of the goal difference The Owls climb out of the bottom 3.
FT. A great 3 points for Wednesday as they outclassed Charlton for the majority of the game. I'm sure the Addicks fans that did travel north to Hillsborough will be disappointed with their team today. To a man the SWFC players can be proud of their game today.
Attendance: 20,517
Owls Man of the Match: Hélan - full of energy, lively and classy goal.
No comments:
Post a Comment