 |
| SWFC's Jermaine Johnson. |
 |
| New Owls signing Jacques Maghoma. |
SWFC v Steaua Bucharest (1-1)
06/07/13 at St Georges Park (closed doors):
This fixture came about at short notice as the Liga 1 (Romanian Premier League) champions pushed for fitness in an England tour as they look towards their impending Champions League campaign. An equalising goal by Miguel Llera ensured the Owls started off against a team who had already beaten Notts County by 2 goals to nil at the same location earlier in the week. Bucuresti had the majority of possession and understandably looked the sharper of the teams so the Owls can be happy with a run out and decent test. You can see the goals and a rejected Steaua penalty claim by clicking here.
 |
| Michail Antonio celebrates vs Stockport. |
09/07/13 at Edgeley Park:
The testimonial of former Wednesday and Stockport player Rodger Wylde saw a handful of legends join in the action as the away side strolled to a 0-3 victory. Michail Antonio put the Owls in front, connecting with a Jacques Maghoma cross in the first minute and 11mins later Martin Taylor headed in the second climbing highest to Rhys McCabes free-kick. A Chris Maguire penalty on the stroke of half time ended a comfortable half when Maghoma was fouled. It was a relatively strong Owls lineup against a Stockport side made up mainly of their promotion winning team of 2008 with former Owl Adam Proudlock in the side. Another notable addition to the Hatters first half team was Carlton Palmer - a man who had played for both teams. For the second half Stockport fielded their current crop of players as the Owls made 4 half-time swaps. One of those swaps saw Gary Madine have a goal disallowed for off-side and then another swap, Miguel Lllera shook the woodwork. In the final 15mins, Owls legends Chris Waddle and David Hirst donned the new away kit to take to the field and a Waddle rolled back the years with a couple of mazy runs whilst Hirst narrowly shot over the bar following a Madine lay-off. You can see an interview with Dave Jones at the testimonial match by clicking here.
 |
| Scunthorpe vs Sheffield Wednesday. |
13/07/13 at Glanford Park:
After signing permanently at Wednesday, Jeremy Helan got his pre-season off the mark with the winning goal at League Two side Scunthorpe United. The Iron v Owls match was played in heatwave conditions but it was the Championship side who played it cool with a comfortable win. The pacey winger prodded home on the 41st minute in a low tempo match. Miguel Llera had earlier headed inches wide before the home side saw Matt Sparrow spurn a volleyed effort agonisingly wide. When J.Johnson had weaved some magic but with no end product, Sparrow again found space in the box only to smash his effort high and wide. A handful of former Owls players were lining up for 'Scunny' and ex-SWFC boss Brian Laws gave game time to Deon Burton, Eddie Nolan, Sean McAllister and Etienne Esajas. The second half saw Rhys McCabe smash the post before Matt Godden spurned a glorious chance with the goal at his mercy and the score remained the same up to the final whistle.
Braga v SWFC (3-1)16/07/13 at Estadio Municipal de Albufeira:
The neat passing and possession football by Braga was the expected tactic employed to perfection in this friendly. The Champions League side kept the ball well and overturned a Wednesday goal to win 3-1 in Albufeira. The Owls, cheered on by a healthy following had a penalty decision waved away early on when Gary Madine was upended by Rubentrico. Moments later, Giles Coke put a corner into the box and Martin Taylor saw his header hit the inside of the far post and away from goal and when Liam Palmer put the rebound away, the officials bizarrely claimed the keeper had made the save and cleared the ball. On the 19th minute though, Taylor headed the Owls into the lead following a Joe Mattock cross. On the 43rd minute though, Adinho finished well before a clear foul on Mattock was not given allowing Pardo to smash the ball home to give Braga a 2-1 lead at HT. A full team change for the Portuguese side for the second half and 6 swaps for the Owls broke the tempo and a forgetful 2nd half was capped by a 74th minute Pedro goal. The fitness run-out for Wednesday would be beneficial and you can see the Braga goals by clicking here.
 |
| Owls on tour! |
20/07/13 at Estadio Municipal de Albufeira:
The last match of the Portugal tour saw the Owls face newly promoted Hull City. A visibly tired Wednesday and Hull laboured to a goalless draw in Albufeira and Dave Jones mentioned the team had been put through a double daily dose of training whilst on tour and that clearly effected the players. First half highlights included a couple of J.Johnson magic runs and a cute Antonio pass into Helan was taken well when the new signing rounded the keeper only for Alex Bruce to clear off the line to the joy of his dad and manager, Steve. Robert Koren lashed a shot goalward that was easily claimed by Kirkland in Hulls best chance. The second half was disrupted by multiple substitutions and when the final whistle was blown the teams were level.
 |
| Rangers with a touch of class. |
24/07/13 at Hillsborough
Hillsborough welcomed the travelling Rangers army as Ally McCoist and his recently promoted side looked to continue their unbeaten pre-season. The Light Blues arrived in Sheffield in their numbers and a friendly party atmosphere built up to a match where The Gers found stiffer competition than what had previously been before them this pre-season. The 'Rhys McCabe Derby' had a constant electric atmosphere (view here) as the visitors proved their worth and backed their team throughout. The first half showed what Owls fans have in store for the coming season with high pressure attacking football, peppering the away box with crosses. Jermaine Johnson terrorised the visiting defenders as they couldn't handle the pace the Jamaican was burning (view Owls fans v Rangers here). When Gary Madine had missed a headed chance at goal and JJ forced the keeper into a save, Wednesday took the lead when Joe Mattock's corner fell to Michail Antonio and his looping shot looped over Scott Gallacher in goal. The second half continued the Owls dominant momentum and only Gallacher prevented JJ and Antonio extending the lead. A Kyle McAusland drive forced a good save out of sub keeper Adam Davies and the advancing Mohsni missed when it looked easier to score from the rebound. A nice touch by Rangers fans saw a large Union Jack flag passed from the away end to the home stands and back in memory of Drummer (Private) Lee Rigby - a touch of class. The game ended 1-0 to the Owls but Rangers fans will be remembered for the atmosphere they brought to Hillsborough and of course a warming rendition of 'God Save the Queen' in unison with Owls fans (view the video here).
 |
| 'The Massive' invade Chesterfield. |
27/07/13 at Proact Stadium
Sheffield Wednesday's pre-season calendar came to a close with a draw at Chesterfield. The visitors included debutant Atdhe Nuhiu (see him in action here) in their starting line-up and gave the travelling Owls an early look at their newest recruit. The giant striker almost scored a debut goal but smashed the ball into the side netting after only 10mins. Tommy Lee in goal for the home side was kept the busiest - keeping out a Drew Talbot slice that would have been an own goal before saving low from a Paul Corry drive. Gary Roberts found space out wide and delivered a perfect ball and Hamza Bencherif glanced his firm header home. The home keeper was again kept busy - twice denying Nuhiu. First an angled driven shot was well saved and then the keeper did well to keep the strikers header from Liam Palmers cross out. When Chesterfield missed the chance to extend their lead via a Jimmy Ryan header, a Caolon Lavery effort trickled wide before an 88th minute goal by Chris Maguire levelled the score. Collecting the ball from 20 yards out, the striker smashed the ball home to see the Owls close their pre-season with a draw.
No comments:
Post a Comment