Sheffield Wednesday Home Won 3 – 1
Tonda Eckert made one change against Sheffield Wednesday for his second game in charge, surprisingly bringing in Azaz for goalscorer Robinson. Wednesday are bottom for reasons beyond their 12 point penalty and statistically they have the worst defence in the Championship, as demonstrated by an unforced collision between Fusire and Horvath that almost resulted in a comic own goal. The visiting defence also played a huge part in giving Saints a ninth minute lead: Jander was struggling to get a meaningful shot in, but he managed to reach the ball at about the same time as Palmer and their combined touch sent the ball looping away from Horvath who could only claw it back from behind the line. The second goal was much easier on the eye with Fellowes and Azaz combining well for the latter to drill in his first goal for the club. There was every indication that the floodgates were now open but Saints weren’t looking that secure at the back either and Amass was able to reduce the arrears. This was on 25 minutes with a long shot past players who might have been closing him down, and low to Bazunu’s left, which we well remember usually means a goal. Horvath at the other end wasn’t having the greatest of afternoons either and he nearly presented Azaz with another goal, but was rescued by Fusire’s goal-line clearance. Downes became another addition to the injury list when he had to be substituted at half time, replaced by the only defensive midfielder on the bench, and that was teenager Williams. Lawrie McMenemy had given another Williams a debut at Fratton Park of all places, but Steve of that ilk is a far better player than young Barnaby so Saints could have been made to struggle unless they added a third. Happily we didn’t have to wait long for that crucial goal because Armstrong immediately went forward with intent and made up for a dodgy touch with a snap shot that was well taken. Saints seemed happy enough to allow Bannon plenty of the ball as the Owls’ playmaker and because he was lying so deep the second half became as easy as we had expected the first to have been. Fellowes gave way to ‘proper’ defender Roerslev who promptly became the latest to limp off so we had the spectacle of Quarshie lumbering up and down the wing to add a bit of fun to the dying minutes. Tondo seemed to think he’ll be done with first team duties by the end of the international break so he’ll be retiring with a perfect record!
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from:
9. Adam Armstrong. His goal emphasised the trouble he was causing for a dodgy defence.
13. Léo Scienza. Not his best game on recent form, and was only given 66 minutes to cause trouble behind Armstrong.
20. Casper Jander. A goal, of course, but he had to keep the midfield together for the second 45 minutes.
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