A Teddy Sheringham goal after 52 seconds and a further effort from George Elokobi ensured Colchester Utd ended Wednesday’s six-game unbeaten run in a dire match at Hillsborough on Saturday.
You could argue Wednesday had lost the match before it had even kicked off as on-loan defensive wall of Michael Johnson picked up an injury in the warm-up and manager Brian Laws and striker Akpo Sodje collected their November Manager and Player of the Month Awards.
And true to the curse, Wednesday made a nightmare start and found themselves a goal down inside the very first minute. Sheringham, 41, who is nearly as old as both of Wednesday’s centre-halves on the day combined, fired in accurate drive down low to Lee Grant’s left to claim his third goal since joining the U’s this summer after a hopefully upfield punt from defender John Jackson.
Not the start the Owls wanted. They did pick up their game a little, but as the first half unfolded, the main threat came from the visitors, as the Owls were able to offer nothing coming forward.
Only a last-ditch block from Mark Beevers prevented the ex-Charlton striker Kevin Lisbie’s effort increasing the lead, but only a few minutes later the score was 2-0. After Lee Grant hade initially denied Elokobi from Mark Yeates’s dangerous corner, the defender composed himself well and smacked home past the Owls keeper at the second attempt.
This was not the Sheffield Wednesday that left the field on Tuesday night and even a waved away half-hearted penalty shout failed to inspire them. On the other hand, Colchester could have added to their tally; Kevin McLeod sent over a strikers dream of a cross from the left flank which the on-rushing Sheringham almost converted.
The Owls, however, did have the ball in the back of the net just after the half-hour mark, when Jermaine Johnson teed up Tudgay, but the striker’s header was ruled out for offside.
They did pull one back moments later though as a Glenn Whelan cross was bundled over the line by the in-form striker Sodje; his fifth goal in six games.
This did inspire Wednesday, who suddenly looked like a different team. Frank Simek burst forward from the back and forced an incredible diving save by Dean Gerken when it looked like the scores would be level at the break.
Both sides began the second period tentatively until the 56th minute when Sodje was denied another penalty, going down under Jackson’s challenge on this occasion, but referee Bates again waved play on.
The game was almost put out of Wednesday’s reach tens minutes later when Yeates sent in a curling corner flicked on by Sheringham and in the resultant goalmouth scramble it seemed easier for Elokobi to score, but he somehow shot tamely into the arms of Grant from five yards out.
Laws introduced Etienne Esajas and Wade Small in a bid to shake his team into life but the changes did little to affect the game. Wednesday had another goal disallowed for offside when Sodje converted a rebound after Gerken saved Whelan’s effort.
It was not to be Wednesday’s day, and on reflection, they did not really deserve to get anything out of the game. Manager Brian Laws will be disappointed that his team’s unbeaten run has been halted, but the curse has struck again!
By Andrew Burgess
