30 years ago

[HoylandOwl]

I remember being at that Wimbledon game, it wasn't a festival of football. But the result not a bad one. 

I do love an away game like that though, under the cosh, a game of few chances from our point of view.. Then we nick it. 

[Chelters]

Wednesday 31 August 1994

FA Carling Premiership

Norwich City (home)

 

With the successful capture of three points from the Wimbledon game following a reshuffle of the team, Wednesday were back at home for a midweek game against Norwich. The Canaries had visited Hillsborough at a similar time the previous season in what proved to be an exciting game as they clawed back a three goal deficit in the second half for a 3-3 draw.

 

Both sides had enjoyed a golden period in the early 1990s but now both stood in a similar position where the lustre was maybe just starting to wear off a bit. The visitors were under the more prosaic managership of John Deehan and were not quite the swashbuckling side they had been previously. They lined up with young striker Ade Akinbiyi partnering Mark Robins up front, ex-Owl Carl Bradshaw at right back and both a former and future Owl in Jon Newsome at centre back.

 

Wednesday made two changes to the WImbledon win as both Andy Sinton and Mark Bright returned, meaning Ryan Jones and Chris Bart-Williams dropped out as the team reverted to a two-man strike force. Despite Norwich having made a half-decent start to the season, this still looked a winnable fixture.

 

On a wet night in Sheffield, Wednesday were at it from the off but were struggling to break down a resolute Norwich. Although they had the majority of the possession, there was perhaps a nervousness that they could be hit on the break in the same way as that 3-3 game, so it was perhaps not surprising that chances were at a premium. The best moment of the first half came when Dan Petrescu hit a lovely 20-yard curler that bounced back off the bar. There was then further frustration, anger even, as Andy Pearce had a header disallowed for a foul on the keeper in what seemed a bit of a soft decision.

 

In the second half the Owls went for it a bit more but still couldn't find a way through. Bryan Gunn tipped over a powerful effort from John Sheridan. There were a couple of other chances for Shezza too, the first being blocked by a defender and the other being blazed over after good work from Petrescu. The visitors didn't really create much with only a close range Robins effort that was blocked the only moment of note.

 

With the clock running out the final chance came and went as David Hirst's angled drive skidded off the turf and through a crowd of defenders but clipped the outside of the post.

 

So ended a frustrating evening with the silver lining of a second clean sheet in a row with a more solid looking back line. Still, it wasn't really the result Wednesday wanted but at least another point was on the board.

 

Final score : Wednesday 0-0 Norwich

 

Wednesday : Pressman, Atherton, Nolan, Pearce, Walker, Petrescu, Taylor (Bart-Williams 27), Sheridan, Sinton, Hirst, Bright (Watson 62). Unused sub : Key

 

Norwich : Gunn, Bradshaw, Bowen, Newsome, Polston, Adams, Ullathorne, Goss, Crook, Akinbiyi (Sheron 45), Robins (Newman 89). Unused sub : Howie

 

Attendance : 25,072

[mkowl]

Well I threatened I would on Facebook - a certain admin member on here, known as HoylandOwl or Cardi T got married 30 years ago today. 

May we express sympathy to his wife 

[HoylandOwl]

16 minutes ago, mkowl said:

Well I threatened I would on Facebook - a certain admin member on here, known as HoylandOwl or Cardi T got married 30 years ago today. 

May we express sympathy to his wife 

You did threaten mate! 
‘thanks’ 🤣🤣🤣

[Chelters]

Must have been a Friday as the next game is coming up tomorrow. It’s not a very good one…..

[Chelters]

Saturday 10 September 1994

FA Carling Premiership

Nottingham Forest (away)

 

Wednesday returned from the international break hoping to build on the 4 points and 2 clean sheets they had achieved in the previous two matches, which had put a slightly more respectable tinge on what was a bit of a disappointing start. They faced the short trip down to Nottingham to take on a Forest side who had started well on their return to the Premiership after a single season in the First Division. Their relegation in 1993 had marked the end of the Brian Clough era, and they were now managed by Frank Clark, one of those men who could look dishevelled in a brand new Armani suit.

 

There had been some transfer activity at Hillsborough since the previous game, with one in the door and one out. Leaving the club was striker Nigel Jemson, formerly of Forest of course, who joined their neighbours Notts County in a £300,000 deal. It's fair to say that Jemmo's Wednesday career never really took off, with the highlight being two goals to beat Manchester United shortly after signing, and he was never really the same after injuries sustained in a car crash.

 

Joining the club was Swedish international midfielder Klas Ingesson, a member of Sweden's USA 94 squad and, of course, a compatriot of Roland Nilsson. Klas was Trevor Francis's latest attempt to replace Carlton Palmer and certainly cut an imposing figure in midfield. He was thrown straight into the team for this one in a five man midfield alongside John Sheridan and Graham Hyde. This apparent attempt to make the team more solid was more than a little undermined by the late withdrawal of Des Walker (another ex-Forest player of course) with a hamstring strain. This led to the Owls lining up with the not exactly inspiring centre back pairing of Andy Pearce and Simon Coleman.

 

Ingesson was to have the first serious effort of the game, cutting in and hitting a powerful shot wide, but that was probably the highlight of his day to be honest. Forest were at it from the off and it was a bit of a surprise that it took them 34 minutes to open the scoring. Former Wednesday transfer target Kingsley Black had already missed two good chances when he opened the scoring but there was more than a touch of fortune about it as Steve Stone's 20-yard effort deflected off Black and into the bottom corner.

 

Wednesday started the second half a little better but were set back further when Forest scored a second after 53 minutes. Stone was again involved as he hit a cross towards the edge of the box which hit Sheridan and landed kindly for Norwegian midfielder Lars Bohinen, who impressively lashed a shot past Kevin Pressman.

 

The Owls were quick to respond though as they got a goal back just three minutes later. Andy Sinton did well to get an inswinging cross in from the left, Mark Crossley got a punch in towards the edge of the box, and Hyde took the ball down nicely before firing a shot into the corner. There was then a good chance to get level but David Hirst  - who had started the season injury-free but was struggling for goals - headed over.

 

On 63 minutes Forest restored their two goal advantage from the penalty spot. Bryan Roy, who had been causing as much trouble for Wednesday on the left as Stone was on the right, had a shot which hit a sliding Coleman's arm and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Stuart Pearce stepped up and slotted the ball calmly into the bottom corner. From this point on, Forest took charge as Wednesday showed no signs of getting back into it. With 8 minutes to go Roy ran on to a through ball to round Pressman and score the fourth to finish off a miserable day for the Owls.

 

Forest were to go on and extend their unbeaten run to 11 games at the start of the season, and had a great season. It was a sobering day for Wednesday, who of course were to have another bad day against Forest later in the season.....but let's not worry about that for a few months.

 

Final score : Forest 4-1 Wednesday

 

Forest : Crossley, Lyttle, Pearce, Cooper, Chettle, Bohinen, Black, Stone, Phillips, Roy, Collymore. Unused subs : Webb, Lee, Rigby

 

Wednesday : Pressman, Atherton, Nolan, Pearce, Coleman, Petrescu (Watson 45), Ingesson, Sheridan (Bart-Williams 68), Hyde, Sinton, Hirst. Unused sub : Key

 

Attendance : 22,022

 

 

[Owling_Wolf]

What a dismal Wednesday team on the day.  

[HarrySpeakup]

One of the worst penalty decisions i have ever seen

 

[Reesh]

18 minutes ago, HarrySpeakup said:

One of the worst penalty decisions i have ever seen

 

We have history at Forest for them.... remember the one that hit the players back

[Chelters]

1 hour ago, Reesh said:

We have history at Forest for them.... remember the one that hit the players back

That was the great Trevor Kettle iirc. Purse was the Wednesday player.

That game was the only time I have ever caught the ball when it came into the crowd. True story.

[Owling_Wolf]

1 hour ago, Reesh said:

We have history at Forest for them.... remember the one that hit the players back

No doubt the ref thought his back was in an inappropriate position.  🙄

[HoylandOwl]

4 hours ago, Chelters said:

That was the great Trevor Kettle iirc. Purse was the Wednesday player.

That game was the only time I have ever caught the ball when it came into the crowd. True story.

Darren Purse, and Trevor Kettle....

UGH. I feel sick.

[Chelters]

Saturday 17 September 1994

FA Carling Premiership

Manchester City (home)

 

With just one win and four points from the opening five fixtures, and a bit of a tonking at the City Ground last time out, Wednesday were in need of a boost. A visit from Manchester City was, of course, not quite the task that it would be today. City had struggled the previous season under the rather underwhelming management of Brian Horton, and were not expected to do anything particularly special in the 94-95 Premiership season. They arrived at Hillsborough in midtable but had lost both of their away games, conceding 6 goals in the process.

 

The Owls made a couple of changes to the side that had lost at Forest : with Des Walker still out injured it was no real surprise to see Peter Atherton moving back to centre back in place of Simon Coleman, with Dan Petrescu moving back to right back. Klas Ingesson was dropped to the bench after a tough debut, with Chris Bart-Williams returning to midfield and Mark Bright up front with David Hirst.

 

The changes seemed to have done the trick as Wednesday looked much better in the first half, the only problem being that they couldn't turn it into an actual goal. This was partly due to some less than confident finishing, but probably more to do with an inspired display from visiting goalkeeper Tony Coton. His first save came from a low Hirst drive, this was followed by an even better save from an Andy Sinton effort, and then denying Hirst after a lovely ball from Petrescu put the Wednesday striker through.

 

In true Wednesday style, the first half dominance was inevitably followed by the conceding of a goal a minute before the break. City won a free kick right in the corner after Peter Beagrie was 'fouled', Beagrie himself flighted the ball into the box and, after the towering Michel Vonk won a header, the barber-phobic Paul Walsh brought the ball down and swivelled to finish into the roof of the net.

 

The second half saw more of the same as the Owls continued to press forward but without any end product, The best of the chances arrived at Hirst's feet from a low John Sheridan centre but somehow the suddenly goal-shy striker saw his scooped effort drift over the bar. 

 

Thankfully, there was a hero and his name was Flash. After coming on in the 69th minute, it took just 7 minutes for Gordon Watson to show his teammates how it was done, and it was a really good goal too. Watson chased a long ball down the right wing, neatly cut inside Andy Hill and then applied a lovely finish with the outside of his right foot into the bottom corner.

 

Although City did waste a chance through Nicky Summerbee, it was the Owls who were closest to winning it as Ingesson - a half-time substitute for Sinton - saw a header and then a low shot go just wide.

 

It was another point on the board, and in some ways a point gained after going behind, but in truth it was a game that Wednesday should have won. And, with games coming up against Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester United, it wasn't going to get any easier.

 

Final score : Wednesday 1-1 Man City

 

Wednesday : Pressman, Petrescu, Nolan, Pearce, Atherton, Bart-Williams, Sheridan, Hyde, Sinton (Ingesson 45), Hirst, Bright (Watson 69). Unused sub : Key

 

Man City : Coton, Edghill, Brightwell, Hill, Vonk, Summerbee, Lomas, McMahon, Beagrie, Walsh, Rosler (Quinn 85). Unused subs : Foster, Dibble

 

Attendance : 26,776

[Owling_Wolf]

The programme editor must have known!

[HoylandOwl]

I was at the game, but can’t remember anything about it….. 🤣

[Chelters]

Wednesday 21 September 1994

Coca Cola Cup 2nd Round 1st Leg

Bradford City (home)

 

Wednesday got a welcome break from their faltering Premiership start as the League Cup began with a game against Second Division (League One in today's parlance) Bradford at Hillsborough. If this game were played today the Owls would be putting a second string team out - not back in 1994 though when every round was taken seriously. These were also the days when all the big boys came in at the second round, and all the games were two legs. 

 

Bradford were amongst the promotion favourites in  their division and, with a healthy following making the relatively short trip down from West Yorkshire, this wasn't necessarily going to be the simple task that it might have looked on paper. The Bantams were led by the experienced Lennie Lawrence and included in their line up ex-Owl Wayne Jacobs, the promising Dean Richards and a certain ex-Blade by the name of Chris Kamara, playing in the unfamiliar position of centre back.

 

Wednesday made one change to the team that had drawn against Manchester City at the weekend, with Klas Ingesson replacing the injured Andy Sinton on the left of midfield. Ian Taylor returned to the squad on the bench. 

 

The first half saw the visitors tenacious approach make life difficult for the Owls, who struggled to get into any sort of rhythm. Mark Bright thought he had scored his first goal of the season with a close range header but was denied by a brilliant save by Paul Tomlinson. Then a foul by the ever-dirty Kamara on Graham Hyde at the edge of the box gave John Sheridan a chance at goal. Shez went for the little 'Luton away' flick-up-and-volley effort and was within inches of recreating the Kenilworth Road goal but saw his effort come back off the woodwork.

 

As the half wore on though, it was the visitors who started to look more likely to score. Richard Liburd curled a shot wide and Jacobs hit a free kick that was even closer to going in but couldn't quite find the bottom corner.

 

The second half saw a bit of an improvement from Wednesday as Taylor replaced Ingesson at half time. Taylor and David Hirst both missed headed chances and then Hirsty miscontrolled a Mark Bright pass when clean through in the area, much to the frustration of the onlooking Kop.

 

Bradford still fancied their chances though and took the lead in the 68th minute, with two very familiar names involved. Paul Jewell (yes, that one) swung in a long cross and Carl Shutt got above Dan Petrescu to head down into the bottom corner. It wasn't entirely undeserved and made it feel like the problems were piling up for Trevor Francis.

 

Thankfully the Owls were able to finally  stamp their authority on the game with an equaliser a few minutes later. Andy Pearce launched a long ball towards the box, Chris Bart-Williams did well to chest it down and Taylor took a touch before hitting a neat left-footed shot into the bottom corner. 

 

Substitute Gordon Watson broke into the box and (despite being held back) got a shot away but was denied by a Tomlinson block but, with 9 minutes to go, a winner arrived. Ian Nolan flighted a long ball to the far post. Petrescu, having beaten the offside trap, had plenty of time to bring the ball down before calmly squaring it to Graham Hyde to fire in from a yard out - the midfielder's first Hillsborough goal.

 

So it was a case of job done - just about - by Wednesday but with a tricky job still to do at Valley Parade if they wanted to progress to the next round in a competition that had become something of a favourite for the club in recent years.

 

Final score : Wednesday 2-1 Bradford

 

Wednesday : Pressman, Petrescu, Nolan, Pearce, Atherton, Bart-Williams, Sheridan, Hyde, Ingesson (Taylor), Hirst, Bright (Watson). Unused sub : Key

 

Bradford : Tomlinson, Liburd, Jacbos, Richards, Kamara, Senn, Taylor, Murray, Duxbury, Shutt, Jewell (Power). Unused subs : Tolson, Bowling

 

Attendance : 15,705

[Chelters]

[mkowl]

Needs a health warning ⚠️

Andy "fucking" Sinton

It might have been this game I nearly had a scrap as I proclaimed after he let a ball out for a goal kick to us, it was the best thing he had done in a Wednesday shirt and the lad in front took offence. 

[Andyben]

35 minutes ago, Chelters said:

The Bantams were led by the experienced Lennie Lawrence and included in their line up ex-Owl Wayne Jacobs, the promising Dean Richards and a certain ex-Blade by the name of Chris Kamara, playing in the unfamiliar position of centre back.

Wenzdi legend Paul Jewell up front as well...

[mkowl]

Things have changed for footballers. In that 30 plus years ago, when doing my accountancy training we used to go to Dirty L**ds for the week. Got expenses to stay in a hotel, so nowt special but ok. But the likes of Chris Kamara, Vinnie Jones would stop at the same place. 

Only ever saw Kamara in my time. But you can't imagine a top division player these days frequenting such a place 

[Reesh]

1 hour ago, Chelters said:

Wednesday 21 September 1994

Coca Cola Cup 2nd Round 1st Leg

Bradford City (home)

 

Wednesday got a welcome break from their faltering Premiership start as the League Cup began with a game against Second Division (League One in today's parlance) Bradford at Hillsborough. If this game were played today the Owls would be putting a second string team out - not back in 1994 though when every round was taken seriously. These were also the days when all the big boys came in at the second round, and all the games were two legs. 

 

Bradford were amongst the promotion favourites in  their division and, with a healthy following making the relatively short trip down from West Yorkshire, this wasn't necessarily going to be the simple task that it might have looked on paper. The Bantams were led by the experienced Lennie Lawrence and included in their line up ex-Owl Wayne Jacobs, the promising Dean Richards and a certain ex-Blade by the name of Chris Kamara, playing in the unfamiliar position of centre back.

 

Wednesday made one change to the team that had drawn against Manchester City at the weekend, with Klas Ingesson replacing the injured Andy Sinton on the left of midfield. Ian Taylor returned to the squad on the bench. 

 

The first half saw the visitors tenacious approach make life difficult for the Owls, who struggled to get into any sort of rhythm. Mark Bright thought he had scored his first goal of the season with a close range header but was denied by a brilliant save by Paul Tomlinson. Then a foul by the ever-dirty Kamara on Graham Hyde at the edge of the box gave John Sheridan a chance at goal. Shez went for the little 'Luton away' flick-up-and-volley effort and was within inches of recreating the Kenilworth Road goal but saw his effort come back off the woodwork.

 

As the half wore on though, it was the visitors who started to look more likely to score. Richard Liburd curled a shot wide and Jacobs hit a free kick that was even closer to going in but couldn't quite find the bottom corner.

 

The second half saw a bit of an improvement from Wednesday as Taylor replaced Ingesson at half time. Taylor and David Hirst both missed headed chances and then Hirsty miscontrolled a Mark Bright pass when clean through in the area, much to the frustration of the onlooking Kop.

 

Bradford still fancied their chances though and took the lead in the 68th minute, with two very familiar names involved. Paul Jewell (yes, that one) swung in a long cross and Carl Shutt got above Dan Petrescu to head down into the bottom corner. It wasn't entirely undeserved and made it feel like the problems were piling up for Trevor Francis.

 

Thankfully the Owls were able to finally  stamp their authority on the game with an equaliser a few minutes later. Andy Pearce launched a long ball towards the box, Chris Bart-Williams did well to chest it down and Taylor took a touch before hitting a neat left-footed shot into the bottom corner. 

 

Substitute Gordon Watson broke into the box and (despite being held back) got a shot away but was denied by a Tomlinson block but, with 9 minutes to go, a winner arrived. Ian Nolan flighted a long ball to the far post. Petrescu, having beaten the offside trap, had plenty of time to bring the ball down before calmly squaring it to Graham Hyde to fire in from a yard out - the midfielder's first Hillsborough goal.

 

So it was a case of job done - just about - by Wednesday but with a tricky job still to do at Valley Parade if they wanted to progress to the next round in a competition that had become something of a favourite for the club in recent years.

 

Final score : Wednesday 2-1 Bradford

 

Wednesday : Pressman, Petrescu, Nolan, Pearce, Atherton, Bart-Williams, Sheridan, Hyde, Ingesson (Taylor), Hirst, Bright (Watson). Unused sub : Key

 

Bradford : Tomlinson, Liburd, Jacbos, Richards, Kamara, Senn, Taylor, Murray, Duxbury, Shutt, Jewell (Power). Unused subs : Tolson, Bowling

 

Attendance : 15,705

Gavin Oliver was at Wednesday I'm sure.

[Owling_Wolf]

25 minutes ago, Reesh said:

Gavin Oliver was at Wednesday I'm sure.

Yep.

[EastCraigsOwl]

On 21/09/2024 at 09:46, Reesh said:

Gavin Oliver was at Wednesday I'm sure.

Excellent guest house too 👍

[Chelters]

Monday 26 September 1994

FA Carling Premiership

Leeds United (home)

 

The Sky Sports cameras visited Hillsborough for the first time this season for a bit of Monday Night Football against the old rivals from up the M1. Following the relegation of the Blades at the end of the previous season, this was the main derby match for Wednesday, and continued to be so for the next few years. The Owls were desperate for a win to kickstart their faltering season, with talk of Trevor Francis losing the dressing room. Yes, this was the time of the infamous 'mole', not a rodent digging up Tricky Trev's garden, or an unsightly lump on his torso, but a sinister, unnamed presence lurking in the home dressing room. 

 

Leeds included in their ranks two players who had switched their allegiance from Owl to Peacock (how come no-one ever calls them that, I think we should) over the summer in Nigel Worthington and Carlton Palmer. The latter was certainly given a bit of stick  by the Hillsborough crowd for not covering himself in glory in the way he left the club, and lined up at centre back alongside another ex-Owl - albeit one who had never made a first team appearance - in David Wetherall. Add to the mix ex-Blade Brian 'not-fit-to-lace-Hirsty's boots' Deane and all the ingredients were there for a tasty encounter.

 

So it was to prove as the game got off to a very feisty start indeed. With both sides commencing at 100 miles an hour, it look less than six minutes for the first incident, and it was a real Flashpoint (you'll see what I've done there in a few seconds). Mark Tinkler won the ball in his own half for Leeds and Gordon Watson - still reviled by Leeds fans to this day for being brutally fouled and winning a penalty in that '92 game - flew into a two footed challenge that was about 5% ball and 95% Tinkler. Which sounds very painful indeed. Referee Alan Wilkie showed Watson the red card, much to the chagrin of the home crowd, but it was probably the right decision, although maybe I'm judging it by today's standards.

 

Wilkie got absolute pelters thereafter (interesting given recent debate on this forum about referees) and it probably served to put a bit of fire into the Wednesday bellies if anything. Within a minute Leeds could have taken the lead as Rod Wallace's low centre was sidefooted into the near post side-neeting by Gary Speed. The way it nestled made it look for all the world like it had gone in but thankfully it was the wrong side of the post (but would probably have been given as a goal against us these days the way things are going).

 

Six minutes later though the Peacocks (I'm sticking with it) took the lead. Phil Masinga dummied a through ball (taking Des Walker out in the process) allowing Gary McAllister to  stroll into acres of space and calmly slot the ball low past Kevin Pressman. With Wednesday's problems piling up, there was the sinking feeling that this could be the first of many.

 

Thankfully, that was not to prove the case and the Owls equalised a couple of minutes later. Chris Bart-Williams carried the ball forward and knocked it through for Mark Bright to beat the offside trap, round John Lukic and roll the ball into the unguarded net. It was a massive relief for Brighty to get his first of the campaign, and taken very nicely considering his barren start to the season. 

 

The rest of the first half continued in frenetic style, Deane probably had the best chance for the visitors as Pressman rashly came out for a high ball that he was never going to get, but the resulting header drifted harmlessly wide. A couple of minutes before the break, Bright came agonisingly close to doubling his tally with a dipping volley but was denied by a great tip-over from Lukic.

 

The second half was not quite so action-packed as the game became a scrappy affair with few chances, but with great credit to Wednesday considering they had to play 84 minutes with ten men. The Owls' best chance fell to Sheridan but his near post effort from Sinton's low ball was just wide. McAllister came closest to winning it right at the end with a piledriver that Pressman probably tipped over despite a goal kick being given. Palmer also had the ball in the net earlier but was clearly offside, much to the delight of the assembled Wednesdayites.

 

So the game ended in a draw, meaning Wednesday still only had one win on the board after seven League games. The nature of this one was very different though, with the team playing well in the circumstances and really showing some fight. Unfortunately Flash's mad moment undermined any realistic hope of a win, not surprising really given he was rumoured to be that mole.

 

Final score : Wednesday 1-1 Leeds

 

Wednesday : Pressman, Petrescu, Nolan, Atherton, Walker, Bart-Williams, Hyde, Sheridan, Sinton (Taylor 79), Watson, Bright (Hirst 85). Unused sub : Key

 

Leeds : Lukic, Kelly, Worthington, Palmer, Wetherall, Wallace, Speed, McAllister, Tinkler (Radebe 64), Masinga (Whelan 45), Deane. Unused sub : Beeney

 

Attendance : 23,227

[mkowl]

I think we should drop the pea and just refer to anyone associated with Leeds as cocks 

[Owling_Wolf]

Well, that has surprised me.  Can't think of any reason for me not having been at this game but have no recollection of it whatsoever, which with who it was, who featured for them and what happened, doesn't really make sense. Most odd.  👀

[Owling_Wolf]

I see the programme editor was on the ball again, getting the man of the moment on the cover: the six minute Flash.

[owl4ever1867]

On 17/09/2024 at 08:53, Chelters said:

Saturday 17 September 1994

FA Carling Premiership

Manchester City (home)

 

With just one win and four points from the opening five fixtures, and a bit of a tonking at the City Ground last time out, Wednesday were in need of a boost. A visit from Manchester City was, of course, not quite the task that it would be today. City had struggled the previous season under the rather underwhelming management of Brian Horton, and were not expected to do anything particularly special in the 94-95 Premiership season. They arrived at Hillsborough in midtable but had lost both of their away games, conceding 6 goals in the process.

 

The Owls made a couple of changes to the side that had lost at Forest : with Des Walker still out injured it was no real surprise to see Peter Atherton moving back to centre back in place of Simon Coleman, with Dan Petrescu moving back to right back. Klas Ingesson was dropped to the bench after a tough debut, with Chris Bart-Williams returning to midfield and Mark Bright up front with David Hirst.

 

The changes seemed to have done the trick as Wednesday looked much better in the first half, the only problem being that they couldn't turn it into an actual goal. This was partly due to some less than confident finishing, but probably more to do with an inspired display from visiting goalkeeper Tony Coton. His first save came from a low Hirst drive, this was followed by an even better save from an Andy Sinton effort, and then denying Hirst after a lovely ball from Petrescu put the Wednesday striker through.

 

In true Wednesday style, the first half dominance was inevitably followed by the conceding of a goal a minute before the break. City won a free kick right in the corner after Peter Beagrie was 'fouled', Beagrie himself flighted the ball into the box and, after the towering Michel Vonk won a header, the barber-phobic Paul Walsh brought the ball down and swivelled to finish into the roof of the net.

 

The second half saw more of the same as the Owls continued to press forward but without any end product, The best of the chances arrived at Hirst's feet from a low John Sheridan centre but somehow the suddenly goal-shy striker saw his scooped effort drift over the bar. 

 

Thankfully, there was a hero and his name was Flash. After coming on in the 69th minute, it took just 7 minutes for Gordon Watson to show his teammates how it was done, and it was a really good goal too. Watson chased a long ball down the right wing, neatly cut inside Andy Hill and then applied a lovely finish with the outside of his right foot into the bottom corner.

 

Although City did waste a chance through Nicky Summerbee, it was the Owls who were closest to winning it as Ingesson - a half-time substitute for Sinton - saw a header and then a low shot go just wide.

 

It was another point on the board, and in some ways a point gained after going behind, but in truth it was a game that Wednesday should have won. And, with games coming up against Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester United, it wasn't going to get any easier.

 

Final score : Wednesday 1-1 Man City

 

Wednesday : Pressman, Petrescu, Nolan, Pearce, Atherton, Bart-Williams, Sheridan, Hyde, Sinton (Ingesson 45), Hirst, Bright (Watson 69). Unused sub : Key

 

Man City : Coton, Edghill, Brightwell, Hill, Vonk, Summerbee, Lomas, McMahon, Beagrie, Walsh, Rosler (Quinn 85). Unused subs : Foster, Dibble

 

Attendance : 26,776

This game was the week after my Grandad passed away.

Not sure if folk can remember but they picked out random people at the ground, that day it happened to be the Kop and we got picked, we won tickets to a Chris De Burgh concert at Sheffield Arena, what's strange and still makes me smile to this day, Chris De Burgh was one of my Grandads favorite ever musicians.

Plus I predicted 1-1 that day!

[Theman]

On 10/09/2024 at 14:29, Chelters said:

That was the great Trevor Kettle iirc. Purse was the Wednesday player.

That game was the only time I have ever caught the ball when it came into the crowd. True story.

Handball ! 👍

[Kaveman]

8 hours ago, Owling_Wolf said:

Well, that has surprised me.  Can't think of any reason for me not having been at this game but have no recollection of it whatsoever, which with who it was, who featured for them and what happened, doesn't really make sense. Most odd.  👀

This happens to me every week. I was at all these home games, and some of the aways, but have no recollection at all. 😀

[Owling_Wolf]

7 minutes ago, Kaveman said:

This happens to me every week. I was at all these home games, and some of the aways, but have no recollection at all. 😀

When you've been going for nearly 60 years so many home games meld into each other, unless there's something you particularly remember them for - like in this one!  Away games tend to be more memorable, I find. Differing venues, less games 'cos I had more things to do when young, the fact that they're proper days out and the game is more memorable as a part of it...

[mkowl]

2 hours ago, Owling_Wolf said:

When you've been going for nearly 60 years so many home games meld into each other, unless there's something you particularly remember them for - like in this one!  Away games tend to be more memorable, I find. Differing venues, less games 'cos I had more things to do when young, the fact that they're proper days out and the game is more memorable as a part of it...

I remember more from the 80s and 90s than I do the last 20 years though

Though same applies to music

[owl4ever1867]

15 hours ago, mkowl said:

I remember more from the 80s and 90s than I do the last 20 years though

Though same applies to music

To be fair, if you've forgotten the SWFC football from the early 90s, you've most like got alzheimers, the football was sublime.

[Owling_Wolf]

16 hours ago, mkowl said:

I remember more from the 80s and 90s than I do the last 20 years though

Though same applies to music

I don't agree with the music bit. Shan't go into it here but I go to more live music now than ever. Have really got into new-ish bands over the last 15 years and loved it. Off to see one in town tonight.

Obviously being retired helps. Went to almost 30 gigs in my first year of freedom. Then Covid struck.   🙄

[mkowl]

1 hour ago, Owling_Wolf said:

I don't agree with the music bit. Shan't go into it here but I go to more live music now than ever. Have really got into new-ish bands over the last 15 years and loved it. Off to see one in town tonight.

Obviously being retired helps. Went to almost 30 gigs in my first year of freedom. Then Covid struck.   🙄

Probably badly put, more in the sense if there is a music quiz and a guess the year round, more probable I will get the year or pretty close from that era than anything since 2000.

 

[HoylandOwl]

The ‘mole’ … I remember all that but never for a second did I think it was Gordon Watson. 

[Chelters]

2 hours ago, HoylandOwl said:

The ‘mole’ … I remember all that but never for a second did I think it was Gordon Watson. 

I’m sure I heard it somewhere, could be wrong though.

[HoylandOwl]

10 hours ago, Chelters said:

I’m sure I heard it somewhere, could be wrong though.

Mate I’m not denying it. I just remember it all happening but never really finding out who it was….

[mkowl]

27 minutes ago, HoylandOwl said:

Mate I’m not denying it. I just remember it all happening but never really finding out who it was….

I always presumed it was one of the leading lights of the team

[Andyben]

CP?

[Reesh]

Wouldn't surprise me if it was him @Andyben

Others in the mix 

Pressman

Des

 

[Tylluan]

More likely to be Fatman. 

I went to one of those Nottingham Forest evenings with Des doing a Q&A. I asked him if he was the mole. The reply was "fuck off"

Fair play to him though, he came to find me afterwards to apologise for the language and tone and we had a good chat, mostly around why a Wednesday fan had stuck his head up in a room full of Forest 'boys'. He said he knew who it was but it wasn't anyone obvious. 

[Chelters]

Saturday 1 October 1994

FA Carling Premiership

Liverpool (away)

 

With just one win in their first seven league games, and therefore struggling at the wrong end of the early table, the Owls faced a difficult trip to Anfield. Liverpool were no longer the almost invincible force that they were in the 1980s, but were starting to show some signs of life with some good young players coming through - not quite the Spice Boys yet (not that they ended up being particularly good).

 

The Owls had been encouraged by their spirited performance in the 1-1 draw against Leeds, battling with 10 men for over 84 minutes after Gordon Watson's sending off. Watson (The Mole? We will probably never know) was available for this game as suspensions didn't kick in for a couple of weeks in these days. Wednesday therefore picked an unchanged team, with David Hirst still having to settle for a place on the bench having, like Mark Bright, just one goal to his name so far this season.

 

The first half saw Wednesday take the game to the Scousers in impressive style as that Leeds game really seemed to have provided a welcome boost. The visitors went in at half time 1-0 to the good and it was a Scouser who scored the goal. John Sheridan floated a ball into the box from the right, Bright did well to win a flick-on and Ian Nolan came racing in at the back post to finish low past David James for his first goal in Wednesday colours.

 

Whilst being ahead at half time at Anfield was nothing to be sneezed at, ultimately the Owls were a bit disappointed that they were not further ahead. Bright - who just couldn't seem to find his goal touch at this time - missed three good chances, Andy Sinton had an effort cleared off the line and Sheridan put a good chance wide. Would these missed chances come back to haunt Wednesday?

 

Er, yes. Yes they would. And then some.

 

Six minutes into the second half, Norwegian left back Stig Inge Bjornebye cut in from the left and hit a decent effort. It was not so decent, though, that Kevin Pressman couldn't have routinely dealt with it, but unfortunately the Owls stopper could only fumble it to the floor, allowing Ian Rush to score a typical poacher's goal. Just three minutes later the game had completely turned as the promising Steve McManaman scored a fantastic solo goal, drifting in from the left and evading several challenges before firing a rising drive past Pressman. Whilst it was indeed an impressive goal, Wednesdayites could rightly question the half-heartedness of some of the attempted tackles, as they dreamt of Roland Nilsson and how efficiently he would have dealt with the shaggy-haired waif.

 

From there on in it really did turn into the McManaman show. Midway through the second half the winger turned up on the other side of the pitch, finding his way to the corner of the penalty area. As he then hit the ball towards goal, it ballooned off Des Walker and took a trajectory that gave Pressman no chance. With four minutes to go it was four as Phil Babb got away down the left and crossed low for McManaman to slot home from 12 yards. On the day, a hat-trick was being claimed but the third went down as a Walker own goal (and rightly so as McManaman was probably not even shooting).

 

It was a dispiriting defeat for the Owls, after having shown some improvement in recent games, and perhaps underlined the gap that was now appearing between Wednesday and the top teams. The back four didn't seem to be working, with three new players struggling to find any coherence and players like Nilsson and Nigel Worthington being sorely missed.

 

Final score : Liverpool 4-1 Wednesday

 

Liverpool : James, Jones, Bjornebye, Nicol, Ruddock, Babb, McManaman, Molby, Barnes, Fowler (Redknapp 76), Rush. Unused subs : Clough, Stensgaard

 

Wednesday : Pressman, Petrescu, Nolan, Atherton, Walker, Bart-Williams, Sheridan, Hyde, Sinton, Watson (Hirst 58), Bright. Unused subs : Pearce, Key

 

Attendance : 32,158

 

 

[Chelters]

Tuesday 4 October 1994

Coca Cola Cup 2nd Round 2nd Leg

Bradford City (away)

 

Wednesday made the relatively short trip to Valley Parade to take on 2nd Division Bradford for what looked like a potentially tricky second leg. After an unconvincing 2-1 win in the first leg, the tie was finely poised and the home fans certainly thought a giant-killing could be in the offing (remember when beating us was a giant-killing?)

 

After the defensive woes returned at Anfield, Andy Pearce was brought back in to the side to revive his central defensive partnership with Des Walker, Dan Petrescu being the player to drop out. Pearce was certainly the type of big lunk that you would have felt was needed in a game like this.

 

In fact, the home side, despite a lot of huffing and puffing, never really got near to blowing the Wednesday house down (this analogy would work better for a game against United but anyway....), In the first half, their only sight of goal was a Carl Shutt volley that flew high and wide. 

 

Instead it was Wednesday who looked more likely and went close when a free kick (after a terrible foul by Wayne Jacobs on Gordon Watson) was touched to John Sheridan but his low effort went just wide. On the half hour the quality told but it was a fairly route one effort that did the job. Peter Atherton launched a long ball over the top from right-back, home goalkeeper Paul Tomlinson hesitated, allowing Chris Bart-Williams to tuck the ball past him confidently on the half volley having got the other side of a slow defence. 

 

Considering the Owls' relatively poor form it was somewhat of a surprise that they had made the first half look really quite comfortable. The second half was a little more difficult though, particularly after the home side equalised on the night on 62 minutes. John Taylor got away and set up substitute Lee Power, he hit a low drive that Kevin Pressman did well to parry but Taylor was on hand to knock the ball home. 

 

As with the first half, though, Wednesday managed to go through the rest of the game relatively untroubled. Taylor had another half-decent effort that went across goal but that was about it. The Owls therefore went through on aggregate, leaving Bradford with the distinct feeling of an opportunity missed.

 

Final score : Bradford 1-1 Wednesday (agg 2-3)

 

Bradford : Tomlinson, Benn (Power), Jacobs, Oliver, Kamara, Robson (Tolson), Taylor, Hamilton, Duxbury, Shutt, Jewell. Unused sub : Bowling

 

Wednesday : Pressman, Atherton, Nolan, Pearce, Walker, Bart-Williams, Sheridan, Hyde, Sinton (Taylor), Watson, Bright (Hirst). Unused sub : Key

 

Attendance : 13,092

[HoylandOwl]

Cheers Chelts 

[Chelters]

Saturday 8 October 1994

FA Carling Premiership

Manchester United (home)

 

With just 6 points from their first 8 games of the Premiership season, Wednesday lay third from bottom of the table, and the last team they wanted to see crossing the Pennines was Manchester United. The Red Devils were the reigning champions, and a game against them was an extremely daunting prospect. Having said that, they had already lost a couple of away games in this season and therefore sat 'only' in 3rd place going into this game.

 

The visitors were weakened by the absence of three key players as well. In a situation completely alien in these days of mind-numbing international breaks, both Eric Cantona and Andrei Kanchelskis were on international duty. Added to this the dangerous Ryan Giggs was also out injured, meaning United recalled Giggs's predecessor as the 'next George Best' Lee Sharpe on the left, and brought in young winger Keith Gillespie on the right. Gillespie was, of course, to go on to emulate Best  but sadly not in terms of his footballing ability.

 

The Owls were also missing a player on international duty in Dan Petrescu, and were also without the injured Andy Sinton. As a result Trevor Francis decided to give youngster Lee Briscoe his full debut on the left-hand side.  David Hirst returned up front against the team that had, of course, tried to sign him a couple of years earlier, a move that Francis later acknowledged was as much about psychology as anything else.

 

There was also a bit of transfer news from Hillsborough with defender Simon Coleman leaving the club to join Bolton. Francis noted in the programme that 'when a good offer came in I felt we could afford to let him go'. That fiver and a box of training bibs presumably came in handy.

 

Games against Manchester United had seen plenty of entertainment, with the last four games at Hillsborough seeing at least 5 goals on each occasion, and 21 overall. But this one was to prove a tighter affair.

 

Although the visitors were predictably more comfortable in possession, they failed to create many chances in a cagey first half, their best sight of goal coming from a Mark Hughes volley at the far past that went straight at Kevin Pressman. Then Gillespie strayed offside and saw his effort disallowed when Brian McClair played him in.

 

Wednesday were giving as good as they got though and were rewarded with a goal just before half time. Chris Bart-Williams picked the ball up in a good position as the Owls countered, and slipped the ball through for Hirst, who took a touch before slotting past the onrushing Peter Schmeichel into the bottom corner. It was Hirsty's first goal since the opening game of the season but was met with a relatively muted celebration.

 

The second half was more open and saw more chances on both sides. Roy Keane had a deflected effort saved by Pressman, and Sharpe blazed high and wide when well placed in the box as the visitors pressed. At the other end, John Sheridan had a couple of efforts saved by Schmeichel, one after a lovely bit of interplay with Hirst. Another similar bit of movement between the two almost put Hirst through but the ball ran through to the Danish keeper.

 

As you would expect, Wednesday had to withstand some pressure but Des Walker was on top form and equal to anything United could throw his way. After the usual bit of Fergie time the whistle blew and Wednesday had got just their second win of the season. For whatever reason Hirst ran straight down the tunnel at the end but was no doubt relieved to finally be back in the team and scoring - was it the start of a renaissance?

 

Final score : Wednesday 1-0 Man Utd

 

Wednesday : Pressman, Atherton, Nolan, Pearce, Walker, Bart-WIlliams (Taylor 65), Sheridan, Hyde, Briscoe, Hirst, Bright (Watson 89). Unused sub : Key  

 

Man Utd : Schmeichel, Parker (May 61), Irwin, Bruce, Pallister, Gillespie (Scholes 76), Ince, Keane, Sharpe, McClair, Hughes. Unused sub : Walsh

 

Attendance : 33,441

[EastCraigsOwl]

I remember writing to Dougie Donnelly (no relation of Simon) after Sportscene showed highlights of the game that night.

His pre match amble noted that United were weakened (no mention of our missing players), the preview 'action' comprised of Alex Ferguson chewing juicy fruit and the post match chat referred to the away defeat, as opposed to the home victory.

I had a right good moan about how presenters should be unbiased and told him to "stick to advertising furniture", a reference to him being the face of the "Sterling. Tillicoultry, near Stirling" TV ads.

In fairness, he did take the time to reply. He said United losing was a big story and also mentioned that he was friends with the likes of Chris Woods and Trevor Francis.

I wonder what happened to him. Not seen him on any shows (or ads) up here for donkeys years.