After a wasted early corner, Wednesdays next set piece is a free kick - conceded by Danny Lafferty for a foul on Kieran Lee, resulting in the games first yellow card. Rhys McCabe takes the free kick but Burnley defend it well. The match sees its first shot in the 8th minute and Martin Paterson forces Chris Kirkland into an early save. With the early momentum being earned by Burnley, the Owls are on the defensive when Ross Wallace has a corner cleared, Sam Vokes has a shot blocked by Jeremy Hélan, Kieran Trippier has a shot wide and only a linesman's flag prevents Paterson getting through on goal. If Wednesday are to keep a fifth successive clean sheet they have their work cut out - but they might get lucky as a Burnley shot hits the woodwork to the relief of all Wednesdayites. In the 15th minute the home side force a corner when Trippier blocks Hélan's cross. McCabe's out-swinging cross is cleared by former Leeds & Sheffield United loanee Sam Vokes. As the 20th minute approaches good play by Wednesday sees Michail Antonio whip a ball into the box and the shot by Lee forces ex-Owl Lee Grant into a good diving save, tipping wide for a corner. McCabe again sees his corner cleared by Vokes and the Scotsman's return ball in doesn't beat Chris McCann as Burnley relieve the pressure. When David Prutton fouls Danny Ings to concede a free kick, the Clarets work a free kick that sees McCann force a save out of Kirkland. Only four minutes later (in the 26th minute), McCann tries his luck again only to clear the crossbar. Burnley are again building the pressure and Miguel Llera does well to clear a Ross Wallace cross in the 30th minute but 2mins later and Wednesday are on the offensive - Antonio firing a rasping a shot goal-wards and captain Jason Shakell blocking the effort. Martin Paterson leaves the field on the 40th minute and is replaced by ex-Owl loanee Keith Treacey, a player still liked (and wanted!) on the Hillsborough terraces. Burnley look to end the half on top and only Kirkland prevents them scoring from a McCann effort on the 40th minute. The resulting corner is cleared by Mamady Sidibe and when Burnleys next corner is put into the box, Llera manages a clearance. After a free kick for both teams for needless fouls leads to nothing, the referee brings the half to a close.
HT. Not the most inspiring performance by Wednesday but as long as it stays 0-0 there's a chance. Some basic errors have crept into the Owls game today and so far they haven't been punished. A step-up required for the second half. No half time snack today having not long since finished a huge New Years Day dinner!
The second half gets underway with Wednesday forcing the early chance. A cross by Hélan resulting in Lee's shot being blocked by Michael Duff who is quick to then get in the way of Antonio's follow up shot. Burnley create their first chance of the second half in the 50th minute when Vokes heads wide a Trippier cross. An outrushing Grant denies Antonio to keep the scores level and the former Wednesday favourite is having a good game in the Burnley goal. 58mins in and Sidibe is replaced by Chris O'Grady but its Burnley who look to take the advantage when a hopeful 30 yard strike by Wallace is saved by Kirkland. The midfielder then turns provider when he neatly passes to Treacy and the Republic of Ireland international fires a long range shot into the bottom corner of the goal. Burnley take a deserved lead and it just had to be the ex-Owl. 2mins later and Wallace could have doubled the lead but for another Kirkland save. On the 67th minute Wednesday have a free kick in dangerous territory following a foul by Treacy on Antonio. McCabe takes the shot on and a scrambling Grant is relived to see the ball hit the top of the net - only just clearing the crossbar. In a bid to inject some life into the Wednesday attack, Jermaine Johnson replaces Prutton on the 71st and it takes the winger 3mins before he tests the keeper, forcing Grant into a decent save. The next attack reaps rewards for Burnley when Lewis Buxton handballs a Treacy cross and the referee points to the penalty spot. The responsibility to despatch the spot-kick is on Wallace who shows no nerves as he smashes the ball past Kirkland. Wednesday look frustrated now and concede 2 needless free kicks - first Llera and then Antonio. Deep into injury time and Burnley could have a third goal but Treacy sees his effort rebound off the post after beating Kirkland. Looking to reduce the arrears Wednesday launch a final attack - ending with a McCabe 25yard strike that Grant does well to save. Full time.
FT. What a disappointment for Wednesday! After the recent upturn in performances this looks like a step backwards, a step backwards into the relegation zone as Peterborough beat Barnsley to climb out. Burnleys 2 outstanding players happened to be 2 former Owls, Treacy and Grant in a frustrating afternoon.
Attendance: 23,677
Owls Man of the Match: Kieran Lee
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