#GAME67 24/02/18 Pickering Town 5-1 Worksop Town

Pickering Town 5-1 Worksop Town

Worksop went very close early on in the game. Igor Mlynarski, who had previously scored three goals in two games, saw his cross deflect goalwards by Tilsley. However keeper Charlie Andrew made sure that the ball didn’t sneak into the near post and palmed it wide. Following the corner Mitch Husbands rose highest and glanced his header across goal and wide.

Three minutes later, the hosts opened the scoring. Ryan Blott had a freekick central of the area. Blott hit his freekick over the wall and past Callum Fielding.

Worksop had another sniff at goal following a great interchange of passes between Michael Trench and Igor Mlynarski. Trench quickly changed direction and fired towards goal which subsequently was blocked by Bissett.

Pickering almost doubled the lead a minute after the opener. Danby worked his way into the middle of the park from left wing and laid it off to Logan. The Pikes number 10 shot across goal and inches away from finding the bottom corner.

Pickering did double the lead though, twenty minutes into the game. Lee Hill closed down and tackled scorer Ryan Blott from shooting at goal. However his strike partner, Billy Logan, latched onto the ball and slotted the ball past an outrushing Callum Fielding.

Callum Fielding then made two good saves in quick succession to keep out Billy Logan. Firstly, Logan nicked the ball off Hill when the Worksop defender attempted to shield the ball out of play. The striker raced towards goal but Fielding matched him and saved with an outstretched arm. Then Logan found himself one-on-one with the youngster but, once again, Worksop’s number one came out on top and adducted his arms to stop Logan from sliding it past him.

Joe Danby put the home side further in front late into the first half. Danby had a chance to show his talents from a set-piece like team mate Blott. He curled his effort around the wall and towards the top right-hand corner. Fielding got a hand to the well placed freekick but the ball still nestled into the net.

Charlie Baird squandered a glorious chance to score for the Tigers. Baird impressively out-strengthened and dribbled past three players before scuffing his shot straight into the hands of Charlie Andrew.

The halftime whistle went and the Tigers needed a miracle to get anything out of the game.

Jack Holden was inches away from scoring. Mitch Husbands’ constant pressure paid off when he intercepted Turnbull’s pass. Mitch played it down the right channel for Luke Black who sent an inviting ball to the back post where Holden couldn’t arrive quick enough and the chance came to nothing.

Pickering put the game beyond doubt eight minutes after the restart. Callum Fielding parried substitute George Eustance’s shot into the path of Ryan Blott who passed the ball into an open net.

Several minutes later, Worksop Town pulled a goal back. Firstly Smiths cross was cleared into the air by a defender. Holden cleverly looped his header over the keeper but Andrew managed to backtrack and tip it over. Following the corner, Lee Hill darted towards the front post and connected with Black’s cross. Andrews made a great close ranged save before Harry Dunbar stabbed the ball into the roof of the net.

However before the Tigers could muster up any unlikely comeback, Pickering restored their four goal advantage five minutes later. Brad Freer slalomed his way into the box before chipping the ball towards the back-post where Billy Logan headed home the final nail in the Amber and Black coffin.

Things got worse for the Tigers as they were reduced to ten men. Lee Hill was the culprit of the dismissal after producing a certain gesture to the home bench after an outburst from over there.

Ryan Blott was denied his hattrick thanks to an incredible save from Callum Fielding. Similarly to Pickering’s fifth goal of the day, Billy Logan chipped the ball across the box for Blott. Blott powered the header towards goal but Fielding got across and pushed the chance onto the post and away from danger.

The fulltime whistle went and to worsen the blow for Worksop, an official misjudged who Trench had said something too and showed the leftback, who had just returned from suspension, a red card.

A disappointing day out for Worksop who next travel to Hemsworth Miners Welfare on Saturday the 3rd of March.

Attendance: 200
Goals: Blott (6’, 53’), Logan (20’, 62’), Danby (37’); Dunbar (57’)

PTFC: Charlie Andrew, Niall Tilsley, Frank Belt, Robert Chipps, Matty Turnbull, George Bissett, Ryan Cooper, Eddie Birch, Ryan Blott, Billy Logan, Joe Danby
Subs: George Eustance, Ged Dalton, Brad Freer, Lewis Taylor, Eddie Class

WTFC: Callum Fielding, Tyler Lysons, Michael Trench (s/o 90), Jack Holden, Alex Boyd, Lee Hill (s/o 70), Luke Black, Charlie Baird, Alec Denton (Harry Dunbar), Mitch Husbands, Igor Mlynarski (Luke Smith)
Unused Subs: Christian Beaumont, Blake Blythe

Written for www.worksoptownfc.co.uk

#GAME66 21/02/18 Worksop Town 1-3 Bridlington Town

Worksop Town 1-3 Bridlington Town

Worksop fall at the first hurdle as Bridlington advance to the next stage of the NCEL League Cup.

A hat-trick from Joel Sutton set Bridlington flying with confidence before Igor Mlynarski powered home an impressive effort which proved only to be a consolation goal. Missed chances and defensive errors proved to be the downfall on the night.

The visitors looked the much stronger side in the first half and put on lots of pressure to go ahead in the tie. Tim Taylor tried his chances from the right-hand side, he turned across the body of Templeton before smashing a fierce effort across Alexander and out for a goal-kick.

Joel Sutton proved to be a real handful throughout the game and had an early sight of goal. The Bridlington striker was allowed to carry the ball fifteen yards before losing his marker by dropping the shoulder one way and advancing the other. Although Sutton had more space, he fired his shot straight into the hands of Jason Alexander.

However, that chance must of given Sutton the hunger for a goal as five minutes later, he opened the scoring. A strong volley by Jake Day was spilled by Alexander into the path of Sutton who placed his composed shot into the net. Following the opener, Callum Fielding replaced the injured Alexander.

The Seasiders were not just content with sitting back and holding onto their single goal lead, they continued to send wave upon wave of attacks which the Tigers defence did well to contain for the most part. Taylor broke down the right flank before squaring it to Sutton who scuffed his shot first time and Blake Blythe, who started his first game for the Tigers, was on hand to clear the ball to safety on the line.

Worksop finally had their first attempt on target twenty minutes into the affair. Baird picked out the sideways run of Alec Denton. Denton held the ball up before sharply swivelling away from his marker and curling a shot towards goal. In contrast, the long-range shot was mild and Nestor easily saved.

Sutton bagged his and his side’s second goal of the game after the half hour mark. The number ten found his self with the ball on the edge of the box after the Tigers tried to play their way out of trouble, he then hit a sweet strike to Fieldings near side for his second of the evening.

Sutton’s strike partner, Jake Day, also caused problems all game due to his strength and power. He was almost on the scoresheet himself just before the break. Day made his way into a pocket of space on the edge of the box before striking the ball through the legs of Bownes but not through the hands of Fielding who had pounced on the shot.

The referee blew the whistle and Bridlington led by two goals to nil at half-time.

Worksop came out early for the second half and whatever Duncan Milligan and John Buckley voiced in the changing room, it seemed to fire the lads up. Matty Templeton went close ten minutes after the restart after clever play down the right. Templeton took on Buttle and cut in on to his left, he attempted to catch out Nester by shooting towards the near post rather than his far, but the keeper read the shot like a book and easily caught it.

Brid were almost gifted a goal just before the hour mark. Fielding tried to play the ball out from the defence and saw his short pass, which was intended for Liversidge, intercepted by Day. The ball fizzed up into the air allowing Jake to only nod into an empty goal. However Fielding raced across and managed to bat the ball away from safety. A brilliant recovery from the young keeper.

Templeton was a menace on the right channel in the second period and he had another great chance to pull a goal back. He received the ball on the wing and advanced towards goal, taking two or three players out of the game with his mazy dribbles. However, he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet in time and before he realised, the keeper had already closed Templeton down and saved his effort.

Worksop were left with a mountain to climb after Bridlington added a third. Joel Sutton escaped the attention of the Tigers backline as he latched on to Tom Bennett’s through ball. He kept his cool and slotted the ball past an outrushing Fielding to complete his hat-trick and put the game effectively beyond doubt .

Several minutes later, Igor Mlynarski pulled a goal back thanks to a magnificent solo effort. Mlynarski received the ball from Holden about 40 yards out, his trickery saw him beat his first man and nutmegged his second before rifling the ball into the top corner just inside the box. This was Igor’s third goal in two games.

The visitors almost restored their three goal cushion with twenty minutes to go. Tom Bennett shot high over the bar from close range following Chris Adams low driven ball across the box, which went past every Worksop defender.

The last ten minutes was all constant pressure from the Tigers and they had three great chances to try and get back into the game and maybe find that equaliser that would send the tie to extra time. Firstly, Boyd’s cross was controlled on the penalty spot by Matty Templeton. Templeton took a touch and hit his shot towards goal which was saved well by Reece Nestor, this was his third chance from close range on the evening but he just couldn’t find a way past Nestor.

Moments later, Bridlington struggled to clear their lines and Templeton nicked the ball off Jenkinson. He laid it off on the edge of the area for Mlynarski who subsequently shot powerfully but inches over the bar.

Then in the last minute of normal time debutant Luke Black struck a ferocious strike from around thirty-five yards out, which cannoned off the bar and then was cleared away to safety.

Bridlington Town absorbed the immense pressure from the Tigers for the remaining minutes of injury time to claim their place into the next round of the NCEL League Cup.

STAR MAN: IGOR MLYNARSKI

This was a tough decision but not a surprising one. The Under 19s graduate was a constant danger while switching between the two channels. His mazy, powerful runs left the Bridlington full-backs in a spin while his quality crosses cause the defenders problems. Definitely one who the Tigers need to keep hold of for a long time.

Photo Credit: Mike Holmes

Attendance: 289

Goals: Mlynarski (68’); Sutton (10’, 33’, 65’)

WTFC: Jason Alexander (Callum Fielding), Sam Liversidge, Alex Boyd, Tiler Lysons, Jay Bownes, Blake Blythe (Jack Holden), Igor Mlynarski, Charlie Baird (Luke Black), Alec Denton, Mitch Husbands, Matty Templeton

Unused Subs: Josh Carpenter, Luke Smith

BTFC: Reece Nestor, Lewis Dennison, Danny Buttle, Rikki Paylor, Chris Jenkinson, Alex Knaggs, Tim Taylor, Tom Bennett, Jake Day, Joel Sutton, Chris Adams

Subs: Andy Norfolk, Jamie Williamson, Archie Brown, Anthony Bownsley

Written for Worksop Town FC (worksoptownfc.co.uk)

CLICK HERE for last Blog: Dinnington Town 2-1 Worksop Town

#GAME65 20/02/18 Dinnington Town 2-1 Retford FC

Dinnington Town 2-1 Retford FC

A new ground but some familiar faces on the pitch. A good friend of mine, Dec Martin, was playing for Dinnington Town tonight. And starting for Retford FC were Ex-Tigers Jon Kennedy and Aaron Pickersgill, two players who gave their all for the Tigers shirt last campaign when the going got really tough. I was hoping that Adam Scott would also be appearing however it turns out he was unable to make it.

Me, Burkey and Pat got on the 19b bus from Rotherham to Dinnington in search of a football fix. I have passed Phoenix Park, the home of Dinnington Town, many times while on my venture’s to and from Worksop on the bus and always have wanted to visit. Tonight was a perfect excuse!

It was a traditional cold Tuesday night and we were greeted by the ‘Dinnington Yoof’ upon taking our position in the stand behind the goal for shelter. A bunch of 11-13 years olds with a drum and singing any song they could think of.

Dinnington went close in the opening two minutes when Nathan Jessop broke down the right-hand side and headed towards goal. He fired a shot on target but Kennedy threw himself in front of the attempt and the ball went out for a corner. The corner fell to the feet of Hutchinson whose shot deflected off Aaron Pickersgill but Kennedy was on hand to pounce on the ball.

Retford opened the scoring due to an own goal. Matthew Bryce swung his corner into the box. Alex Tomlinson misjudged the flight of the ball and ended up glancing a header into the back of his own net.

Retford almost doubled the lead a quarter of an hour in. The ball was given to Gaz Davies, who turned, and curled an effort from the edge of the box which skimmed the roof of the net as it went over. Moments later, a freekick was crossed into the box from deep for Ollie Bicham who rose highest and headed just over the bar.

Dinnington had three good chances to equalise in the space of six minutes. Firstly, Scott McKenna tried his luck on the left side of the box but McKenna’s shot curled away from goal instead of into the top corner. Then Matt Bradley escaped the attention of the Navy Blue backline and slotted the ball past the keeper but the shot was tame and Pickersgill raced back to clear. Furthermore, danger man Nathan Jessop saw his header glance across the face of goal and wide.

Dinnington Town equalised just after the thirtieth minute mark through a great strike from Jacob France. France cut in from the left and hit a 30 yard strike which caught out Jon Kennedy and dipped right at the last second into the net.

The second half was largely dominated by Dinnington Town and also saw some incredible goalkeeping from Jon Kennedy. Five minutes after the restart, Town went close to taking the lead from a Salem freekick. Hussein Salem whipped it in deep into the box. No one connected with it and Kennedy had to get down and across to bat the ball way from goal.

Several minutes later Kennedy was back in action to keep out Matt Bradley. Salem switched the ball from wide left to the right edge of the F.C. box. Bradley superbly brought down the cross and volleyed towards goal but, again, Kennedy got off his line quickly to stop the effort. The ball then found it way to McKenna who beat his marker and shot towards the bottom corner which the Retford number one palmed away from danger.

Dinnington were in-search of the goal that would put them ahead in the tie. They almost did in spectacular fashion but were denied by the fingertips of Jon Kennedy.
Matt Bradley found space 35 yards away from goal and hit a ferocious shot that was destined for the top corner. However the Ex-Worksop Town Captain backtracked and pulled of a brilliant acrobatic save to deny Dinnington the lead.

Things got worse for ‘the Choughs’ as they were reduced to ten men with fifteen minutes to go. Bryce chased down an advancing Jacob France and went in hard on the Dinnington captain. The referee didn’t hesitate to pull out the red card for the two-footed lunge.

With the man advantage, Dinnington should have made it 2-1 from the freekick following Retford’s dismissal. Retford failed to clear the freekick and the ball popped out to Bradley who rifled his shot against the body of Jessop, who was on the goal-line, and over the bar.

Retford were soon down to nine men, five minutes from time. Nathan Fenn slid to try and keep the ball in and then all of a sudden, lashed out at a Dinnington player who went to collect the ball for the throw in. This resulted a brawl breaking out and in between the mist, referee Thomas sent Fenn for an early bath.

Dinnington netted the winner in the closing stages of the game against a now depleted Retford side. Nathan Jessop was sent through on goal by McKenna. Jessop out-paced Bircham, rounded Jon Kennedy, and smashed it into the net off the post.

The final whistle went and Dinnington Town claimed all three points.

Goals: France (31’), Jessop (90’); Tomlinson OG (9’)
MOTM: Jon Kennedy

DTFC: Dan Heald, Dec Martin, Jack Binney, Jack Hutchinson, Joe Harris, Alex Tomlinson, Jacob France, Scott McKenna, Nathan Jessop, Matt Bradley, Hussein Salem
Subs: Kasey Scott, Fabian Johnson, George Johnson, Grant Barker, William Snow 

RFC: Jon Kennedy, Aaron Pickersgill, Jordan Pickering, Ollie Bircham, Ross Wicks, Josh Robson, Martin Woodhead, Matthew Bryce, Jack Johnson, Gaz Davies, Arron Hutchinson
Subs: Jamie Housley, Nathan Fenn, Robbie Collingburn, Jack Hindley, Chris Woodhead

#GAME64 17/02/18 Worksop Town 5-0 Staveley Miners Welfare

Worksop Town 5-0 Staveley Miners Welfare

High Fives all Around at the Lane After The Tigers Thrash The Trojans

It was a local derby day at the Lane with Staveley taking the number 77 bus to Worksop like what some of the Barmy Army did earlier on in the season in the reverse fixture. The previous affair ended in a tie but came with a massive talking point. James Jepson chipped the keeper on his debut from 35 yards out. The ball hit the underside of the bar, bounced three or four yards over the line and back out again. The Worksop faithful were cheering and Staveley’s head’s dropped until everyone had realised the ref hadn’t given the goal! Kyle Jordan netted the equaliser in the dying seconds of injury time to rescue a point after a poor performance. What would happen today?

Town were the stronger team throughout the game with Staveley only having a couple of sniffs at goal.

The Tigers started early pushing for that first goal and had three chances within the first ten minutes.

Alec Denton returned to the starting eleven after two months due to a painful ankle injury. The striker outmuscled Josh Madin and took aim towards the top left corner but unfortunately for Denton the ball had to much curl on it and travelled just wide.

Moments later, Lee Hill hit a low and hard freekick straight at the Staveley keeper who shot down to picked it up.

Sam Liversidge started the game at right-back and must have channelled his inner ‘Cafu’ as he was unstoppable when bombing it down that right flank. Eight minutes in Sam ran down the left and along the perimeter of the area before pulling the ball back to Jack Holden. Holden struck the ball first time with the outside of his boot and watched his fierce effort go just over the bar from 35 yards out.

Despite the home side’s dominance, Staveley had to chance to take the lead after Jay Bownes brought down Morley in the box. Kurtis Morley stepped up and saw his penalty, which he had placed left of the keeper, saved and held by Callum Fielding.

Worksop took a deserved lead through frontman Alec Denton. Higginson sent the ball into the air after jostling with his marker. Denton beat Madin to it, in the air, and flicked it on for himself before passing it calmly past Matt Leese.

Staveley went in search of an equaliser and had another chance wasted by the Trojan’s. Tyla Bell wrong footed Boyd and shot towards goal but Fielding was switched on and held on to the effort from 25 yards.

Worksop doubled their lead through Under 19s product Igor Mlynarski. Holden switched the ball from left to right where Mlynarski beautiful Cruyff-turned Ricky Hanson as he brought the ball down. He he took a touch or so and slotted it across goal and into the bottom corner.

Igor bagged his brace and Worksop’s third on the stroke of halftime. Mlynarski cut in from the left and put the pressure on the keeper who spilt it. Igor took the loose ball and smashed it past two covering defenders to net his second goal in Amber and Black colours.

The second half begun and the Tiger’s class prevailed like the first forty five minutes. Charlie Baird went close three minutes after the restart. He used his strength to turn his marker and curled his shot the wrong side of the post.

Town added a fourth goal thanks to another Academy graduate in Jack Holden, who has impressed and implemented his place in the first team in recent weeks. Holden volleyed home Lee Hill’s flick on from Charlie Baird’s corner.

Welfare fluffed two chances to score a consolation goal with ten minutes to go. Ex-Tiger Liam Greenfield took Turnbull’s sideways pass in his stride but Greenfield could only scuff his effort into the hands of Fielding. Then Greenfield floated a cross towards the back post where Williamson headed wide despite having a third of the net to aim at.

Worksop hammered the final nail into Staveley’s coffin in injury time. Charlie Baird turned Conor Williamson before nutmegging Madin and rifling his shot past Leese.

The fulltime whistle went and cheers rang around Sandy Lane. A good performance from the Tigers with five cracking goals. Next up for Worksop is Bridlington Town at home in the League Cup on Wednesday, where as Staveley travel up to Harrogate Railway Athletic on Tuesday Night.

Attendance: 372
Goals: Denton (25’), Mlynarski (32’, 45’), Holden (65’), Baird (90+1’)
MOTM: Igor Mlynarski

WTFC: Callum Fielding; Sam Liversidge, Lee Hill, Jay Bownes, Alex Boyd; Conor Higginson (Luke Smith), Charlie Baird, Jack Holden, Igor Mlynarski; Alec Denton (Harry Dunbar), Mitch Husbands (Blake Blythe)
Unused Subs: Jason Alexander, Christian Beaumont

SMWFC: Matthew Leese, Ricky Hanson, Charlie Oglesby, Thomas Ellis, Joshua Madin, Conor Williamson, Liam Greenfield, Jack Turnball, Kurtis Morley, Tyla Bell, Josh Barker
Subs: Bradley Johnston, Aaron Williamson, Richard Watson, Ashley Bartley, Adam Lee

#GAME63 13/02/18 Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Derby County

Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Derby County

Sean Clare was making his first start for Wednesday, after been called up from the academy, and went close five minutes into the game. Clare played a one-two with Joao before curling an effort just wide of the post from the edge of the box.

Minutes later Wednesday saw another chance to take the lead slip away from them. Reach took Wildsmith’s dodgy cross in his stride. Reach accelerated thirty-five yards before smashing his shot over the bar.

Again Wednesday were the more attacking side so far in the game and had their first shot on target fifteen minutes in. Reach’s in-swinging corner was met by the head of Frederico Venancio but former Owls loanee Scott Carson was alert and held the shot.

Wednesday’s early pressure paid off as the home side took the lead through Lucas Joao. Adam Reach picked out Jack Hunt’s run towards the box. The full-back brought down the cross and laid it of to Joao who calmly slotted it into the bottom corner first time.

Derby knew that a win at Hillsborough would have taken them to second in the Championship. They almost were on level terms just before the break. Weimann received the ball from Nugent and switched it out wide to Chris Baird. Baird returned the favour and swung a cross into the middle for Weimann who could only head wide of the post. The halftime whistle went and Wednesday lead the game 1-0.

The team in blue and white continued their dominance into the second half as three minutes after the restart, Wednesday doubled their advantage. Reach gave the ball to Joao who had his back to goal. Lucas turned, cut in past Ledley and fired an unstoppable effort into the bottom corner to get his and his team’s second goal of the game.

Again Wednesday were not content with just sitting back and holding on to their lead as they went in-search of a third goal. Jordan Rhodes turned his marker and floated a ball into the ball. Neither Joao or Baird could connect with the cross and the ball fell to George Boyd. Boyd snatched at the chance and sent the ball into the stands.

Wildsmith didn’t have much to do in the game for the first hour but when Derby had their best chance of the game, Wildsmith was switched on to make a great save. Matej Vydra headed towards the Wednesday box before slotting Weimann through on goal. Weimann controlled the forward ball and rifled a shot towards goal which was matched by Wildsmith who palmed it wide.

Wildsmith was called into action again several minutes after his previous save. David Nugent spotted the run of Vydra and played him through. Vydra used his instinct and shot first time with his left foot but Wildsmith saved brilliantly with his feet.

The final chance of the game fell to County who were still pushing for a way back into the game. Huddlestone’s pass found its way to Weimann on the left-hand side after a clever dummy from Cameron Jerome. Weimann attempted an audacious chip from the wing which needed to be pushed over by Wildsmith.

The Owls defended in numbers for the last moments of the fixture and proved to be solid throughout the game to pickup Jos Luhukay’s first league win as Sheffield Wednesday manager.

Attendance: 24,180
Goals: Joao (18’, 47’)
MOTM: Adam Reach

SWFC: Joe Wildsmith; Frederico Venancio, Glenn Loovens (Jordan Thorniley), Daniel Pudil; Jack Hunt (Liam Palmer), Sean Clare, Joey Pelupessy, Adam Reach, George Boyd; Lucas Joao, Jordan Rhodes (Atdhe Nuhiu)
Unused Subs: Cameron Dawson, Morgan Fox, David Jones, Jack Stobbs

DCFC: Scott Carson; Chris Baird, Richard Keogh, Curtis Davies, Craig Forsyth; Matej Vydra (Kasey Palmer), Joe Ledley (Ikechi Anya), Bradley Johnson, Tom Huddlestone, Andreas Weimann; David Nugent (Cameron Jerome)
Unused Subs: Kelle Roos, Alex Pearce, Andre Wisdom, Tom Lawrence

#GAME62 10/02/18 Barnsley FC 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Barnsley FC 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Like any Saturday away game, the day started early. The alarm was set at 6.20 for a quick shower before setting off towards Meadowhall. I got my tickets and jumped on the train to Chapeltown for our breakfast in the Wagon and Horses – Wetherspoons (Its tradition!). We then got the 9.17 train to Barnsley where we headed straight to Barnsley Metrodome, like last year, for some pints before the game. We enjoyed a laugh and some chants. Before we knew it, it was time to head down to Oakwell.

This was my fourth visit to Oakwell. The previous one being my favourite; seeing Sam Winnall tuck home Reach’s set-up and then silencing the Barnsley crowd, who had been slagging him off after his switch to S6 in January 2017, was something really special and brilliant. Also the day itself was excellent.

Wednesday were quick off the mark and went very close early on. Ross Wallace’s corner was flicked on across goal by Joao to Frederico Venancio, who headed into the side netting.

Barnsley then had a chance of their own fifteen minutes into the game. Bradshaw rose highest to connect with Adam Hammill’s cross. The header was tame but accurate and needed Joe Wildsmith to get down quickly and stop the chance.

Wednesday took the lead thanks to a rather fortunate penalty decision. The referee judged Andy Yiadom to have tripped Lucas Joao, in the box, as the Portuguese latched onto a deep cross from Ross Wallace. Nuhiu stepped up and smashed the ball down the middle and sent the away support into raptures.

However three minutes later Swansea loanee Oliver McBurnie equalised for the Tyke’s. McBurnie exchanged a pass with Gary Gardner before skipping around Venancio and slotting it past Wildsmith to level up the South Yorkshire Derby.

Barnsley were dominant after that goal and almost went ahead moments later. Ex-Owls Loanee Lloyd Isgrove broke down the right and crossed towards the six yard area. Bradshaw struck a ferocious volley towards goal, Wildsmith reacted quickly and palmed the effort over the bar. An incredible save by the youngster.

That was all for the first half and both teams went in at the break all square.

McBurnie went close several minutes after the restart. Adam Hammill sent a teasing cross into the middle but McBurnie could only head it high over the bar.

Barnsley then had a big penalty claim waved away by the referee. McBurnie slotted Hammill down the left. Hammill made his way into the box, he quickly turned towards the byline where he was clipped by David Jones and fell to the floor. The ref dismissed any shouts for a spotkick and play continued.

Wildsmith was called into action once again before the hour mark. McBurnie took Hammill’s great pass in his stride, the striker avoided Venancio’s tackle before firing towards goal. The shot headed towards the bottom left-hand corner but Wildsmith subsequently parried the shot to safety.

Wednesday had two great chances to go in front however both of them were narrowly wide. Firstly, Fox’s pull back, from the left flank, fell to Adam Reach who struck his shot first time but the shot was simple enough for the Barnsley keeper who got his body behind it and blocked. Then Ross Wallace slalomed his way past Pinillos and Williams before curling his left-footed effort inches wide of the top corner.

The Owls had a good chance five minutes before the final whistle. Joey Pelupessy’s corner was cleared back to him. He took a touch before rifling a shot across the face of goal and out for a goalkick.

That was all and, like last season, it ended 1-1 at Oakwell. Overall a great day out!

Attendance: 16,858
Goals: McBurnie (21’); Nuhiu (18’)
MOTM: Ross Wallace

BFC: Nick Townsend; Andy Yiadom, Matt Mills, Liam Lindsay, Daniel Pinillos; Lloyd Isgrove (Connor Mahoney), Joe Williams, Gary Gardner, Adam Hammill; Oliver McBurnie (Kieffer Moore), Tom Bradshaw
Unused Subs: Adam Davies, Matty Pearson, Stephen Mallan, George Moncur, Mamadou Thiam

SWFC: Joe Wildsmith; Liam Palmer, Frederico Venancio, David Jones (Frederik Nielsen), Jordan Thorniley (Jack Stobbs), Morgan Fox; Ross Wallace, Joey Pelupessy, Adam Reach; Lucas Joao, Atdhe Nuhiu
Unused Subs: Cameron Dawson, Jack Hunt, George Boyd, Connor Kirby, Jordan Rhodes

#GAME61 03/02/18 Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 Birmingham City

Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 Birmingham City

Luhukay suffers first defeat as Owls boss after disastrous defending by Wednesday

Wednesday got a chance very early on through Marco Matias. Ndoye’s attempted pass was blocked by Butterfield into the path of Matias. Matias turned and headed towards goal before blazing it over the bar on the edge of the box.

Things took a turn for the worst as City took the lead thanks to an awful defensive error. Maxime Collin’s cross from the right was chested towards goal by Venancio. However the centre-back did not realise that his goalkeeper had come out to claim the cross and the Portuguese chested it straight past Wildsmith. Davis reacted quickest and poked the ball into the open goal on ten minutes.

GLOOMY DAY AT HILLSBOROUGH WITH GLOOMY DEFENDING

Birmingham’s lead was doubled thanks to another Wednesday mistake. Pelupessy chased Boga and won the ball off the winger. He passed it to Butterfield who then hit the ball past Reach and into the path of Gallagher. The ball found its way to Jota who hit a long range shot towards goal. It looked as if it was going to be a comfortable catch for recently crowned ‘January Player of the Month’ Joe Wildsmith but the shot went straight through the arms and legs of the youngster and into the net.

Wednesday were looking for a way back into the game but Pudil squandered a great chance. Matias and Reach tried to recreate the free-kick routine that Wallace and Jones produced against Cardiff City a few games ago. Matias placed the ball down and Reach quickly crossed into the box. Pudil rose highest but he could only glance his header wide of the goal.

Wednesday were reduced to ten men in the 38th minute for ‘violent conduct’. Cohen Bramall tried to usher Matias’ flick on out of play for a goalkick. Matias chased it down and the pair clashed. Both Bramall and Matias came together and, after a long talk with his linesman, the referee dismissed Matias for an alleged head-butt (Although from a replay if seen it looks the other way round).

Jota almost bagged his brace two minutes before halftime. Davis played Bramall down the left flank. The leftback crossed low across the box. Morgan Fox failed to clear and the ball fell kindly to Jota who took a touch and fired into the side-netting.

But several minutes later Jota did get his second and Brum’s third of the game. Davis turned Pudil and then shot towards goal. Wildsmith got down and parried the shot into the path of Jota who simply side-footed the ball into the net.

A shambolic first 45 minutes from the Owls meant that it would probably be a miracle if they were too comeback and get anything out of the game.

Wednesday did respond as ten minutes after restart Wednesday scored. Wildsmith’s goalkick was flicked on by Nuhiu. Joao outmuscled Collin and ran towards goal. He cut in and then back out of Roberts before rifling a shot towards goal which slipped under the dive of David Stockdale. (Interesting fact, both Roberts and Stockdale used to play for Worksop Town).

Moments later Birmingham went forward to try and restore their three goal cushion. Boga out-strengthened Palmer and then squared it to Davis who shot first time. Wildsmith palmed it out and Fox cleared. Jota controlled the clearance and crossed into the middle for Gallagher who failed to get a toe end on it and the chance slipped away.

Wednesday were down to nine men in the 68th minute. Collin intercepted Reach’s switch from the left and burst down the right. Collin tried to accelerate into the Wednesday box but was body checked by Pudil who subsequently received his second yellow of the game and was sent for an early bath.

Joao almost got his second of the game five minutes from fulltime. Palmer played it down the right channel for Joao. The Portuguese striker swivelled Roberts before firing just inches over the bar with his weak foot.

Boga almost put the game fully to bed minutes later. The on-loan Chelsea winger teased with Venancio about which way he was going to go. He went with his left and hit a fierce shot that was sneaking in at the front post but Wildsmith got a strong hand to it and kept out Birmingham’s potential fourth goal of the game.

The fulltime whistle went and a ring of boo’s cried out by the Wednesdayite’s that were loyal enough to stay in the ground till the final whistle. Very poor from the home side who travel to South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley next Saturday.

Attendance: 25,648
Goals: Joao (54’); Davis (8’), Jota (21’, 45+5’)
MOTM: Joey Pelupessy

SWFC: Joe Wildsmith; Frederico Venancio, Glenn Loovens (Lucas Joao), Daniel Pudil (s/o 68’); Liam Palmer, Jacob Butterfield (Jordan Thorniley), Joey Pelupessy, Adam Reach, Morgan Fox; Atdhe Nuhiu (George Boyd), Marco Matias (s/o 38’)
Unused Subs: Cameron Dawson, Jack Hunt, David Jones, Ross Wallace

BCFC: David Stockdale; Maxime Collin, Marc Roberts, Harlee Dean, Jonathan Grounds (Cohen Bramall); Jota, Maikel Kieftenbeld (Craig Gardner), David Davis (Jason Lowe), Cheick Ndoye, Jeremie Boga; Sam Gallagher
Unused Subs: Connal Trueman, Michael Morrison, Che Adams, Lucas Jutkiewicz

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