Wednesday 2-1 Notts County

WEDNESDAY came from behind to secure a much-needed victory over ten-man Notts County at Hillsborough.

Jeff Hughes fired the visitors ahead after ten minutes before Julian Bennett levelled after the break and Gary Madine netted the winner in the 68th minute. Neil Bishop was sent off late on for the visitors.

It was a vital win for Wednesday, who came into the game after suffering back-to-back defeats.

There was a debut for new loan signing Ben Marshall out on the left wing, while Lewis Buxton took the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Rob Jones. Reda Johnson came in to fill-in for Jones at centre-back.

And Marshall almost made a superb debut in the blue and white stripes, supplying a good ball which Buxton struck over the bar as Wednesday started brightly, eager to bounce back from their loss at Bury last time out.

But Martin Allen’s men struck first against the run of play from the penalty spot on ten minutes. Chris Lines handled the ball from a cross in the Owls box and the referee pointed to the spot, allowing Hughes to tuck the ball home and give the visitors the advantage.

The goal gave County a boost and Karl Hawley showcased their improved confidence in attack by firing a long-range effort just over Nicky Weaver’s goal not long after.

The Owls were lacking some killer instinct in attack and Clinton Morrison headed over from a Lines pass.

County were, understandably, happy to sit on their one-goal lead and chances were few and far between for both sides before the break.

Half-Time: Wednesday 0-1 Notts County

It was more of the same on the restart, with both goalkeepers spectators in the early parts of the second half as the game was played in the midfield, suiting the visitors.

That was until the 53rd minute when the Owls got the breakthrough they were so desperate for.

Morrison won the ball in the penalty area and provided the pass for Bennett, who struck a powerful shot into the back of the County net to get the hosts back on level terms.

The goal came at just the right time for a Wednesday side that were visibly lacking confidence in the final third of the pitch, and they kicked-on to get the lead not long after.

Buxton provided a fine ball across the box and Madine was well-positioned to drill in what turned out to be the winner in the 67th minute.

Gary Megson’s men should have taken a hold of the game after turning it on its head, but Wednesday allowed the visitors back into the game and they should have got on level terms just five minutes after Madine’s stike.

Craig Westcarr, linked with a move to Hillsborough last season, found himself in a superb position to drill in the leveller but struck his shot high over the bar to the amazement of the travelling County fans.

With 13 minutes to go County were still very much in the game but it was very much advantage Wednesday when the visitors were reduced to ten men. Bishop got his marching orders for a late challenge on Jose Semedo, earning him a second booking.

Wednesday: Weaver, Buxton, Batth, R Johnson, Bennett, Marshall, Prutton, Semedo, Lines (Sedgwick 71), Morrison, Madine (O’Connor 88). Unused substitutes: O’Donnell, Otsemobor, Beevers.

Notts County: Nelson, Kelly, Sheehan, Edwards (Stirling 88) Pearce, Bencherif (Westcarr 71), Hawley, L Hughes, Bishop, J Hughes, Judge (Montano 54). Unused substitutes: Burch, Allen.