Two almost identical first-half goals were enough to condemn Sheffield Wednesday to another home defeat on a bitterly cold night at Hillsborough on Tuesday.
Making the most of Wednesday’s defensive lapses, Martin Paterson’s double ensured Scunthorpe United left Hillsborough with the three points, despite falling behind to a Deon Burton penalty and being outplayed for the majority of the game.
The Owls made two changes from the side that won 4-2 away at Stoke on Saturday with long-term injury victim Francis Jeffers making way for Burton, while Richard Hinds came in at right back in place of Lee Bullen, who dropped to the bench.
Wednesday started positively and were first to pose a threat after Burton O’Brien skewed the ball wide of the goal following a neat link-up with Burton. The Owl’s settled into the game the quickest and nearly capitalised soon after when in-form striker Marcus Tudgay fired a snapshot that flew narrowly past the post.
But the game then exploded into life in the 23rd minute when Glenn Whelan burst into the box and was brought down by Scunthorpe’s Jim Goodwin. Burton stepped up to comfortably dispatch the resultant Owls’ penalty, their first of the season.
But any thought that Wednesday would increase their lead were quickly dispelled as the Iron’s responded instantly with a goal of their own against the run of play. Goodwin launched a free kick into the danger area, Andy Butler headed across goal and Paterson drove home from a matter of yards.
The build-up to the game was dominated by the fact Wednesday boss Brian Laws was welcoming his old employers to Hillsborough - Laws of course left Scunthorpe to take over the Owls last season and was replaced by the club’s physio, Nigel Adkins. And so as the away support chanted “Who needs Mourinho, we’ve got our physio!” Scunthorpe suddenly looked the more threatening team and Paterson almost doubled his account with a blistering drive that Lee Grant was relieved to see fly into the Kop.
The Owls suffered another injury blow 34 minutes in when Richard Wood fell awkwardly from a tackle and was stretchered off in some distress. And then their first half misery was completed six minutes before the interval as Cleveland Taylor broke down the right flank and hit a low, pacey cross for the on-rushing Paterson, who drilled in at the back post.
Akpo Sodje replaced Burton at the start of the second half and the substitute’s aerial threat almost immediately created a chance for Tudgay. Wednesday then forced three corners in as many minutes, the second of which saw the visitors survive a strong penalty shout when a stray hand appeared to deflect Burton O’Brien’s shot.
Trying to get behind their team, the Owls’ support found its voice, and despite their teams’ best efforts, they were unable to create a decent goal scoring opportunity.
With 20 minutes remaining, the visitors almost scored with their only attack of the second period as Kevan Hurst swung over a teasing corner and Butler headed the ball towards goal but Tudgay came to the Owls’ rescue clearing off the line.
Desperate for a goal they deserved for their efforts, Wednesday pushed forward and showed plenty of willing - both Kavanagh and Whelan warmed the hands of Joe Murphy with shots from distance - but Scunthorpe held on for the win.
Sheffield Wednesday still remain in the relegation zone with a total of nine points from 12 games, and welcome Blackpool to Hillsborough on Saturday (27th).
By Andrew Burgess
