Owls edged out by Cumbrians

Wednesday’s honeymoon period back in League One is well and truly over as they suffered their second consecutive 1-0 defeat.

Following last weekend’s abysmal televised performance against Brentford, manager Alan Irvine made just the one change, with Clinton Morrison in for the absent Neil Mellor.

Frankie Simek returned back to Hillsborough for the first time since he was released in the summer. Former Owls loanee, Graham Kavanagh was named on the Cumbrians bench.

The Owls did start the game brighter, Marcus Tudgay had an early effort on goal that flew wide. Carlisle hit back and almost broke the deadlock through Gary Madine after he was put through by Francois Zoko. Fortunately for the Owls, ‘keeper Nicky Weaver was on hand to block Madine’s route to goal.

Aside from a Chris Sedgewick goalbound effort that was blocked, the visitors were dominating the play. Madine and Zoko were causing the Owls defence problems, but it was the previously unmentioned Craig Curren who got the goal.

Curren, was allowed far too much freedom and fired in a shot from the left, which left Weaver with no chance.

The goal was totally deserved and the Owls could have no complaints at going in at the break behind.

Wednesday were surely given a rollocking at the break, but it made little difference as the Cumbrians again took the initiative and almost doubled their lead through Curren, and a Darren Purse slice almost went into his own net.

Both Paul Heffernan and James O’Connor were introduced to try and force an equaliser, but to no avail. The closest they came was through the second Irishman, but his shot was sliced wide.

The Owls got what they deserved: nothing and Carlisle jump above them in the table, maintaining their unbeaten record.