Vital Gregory goal gives unconvincing Owls 3 points

Last updated : 09 October 2021 By C. Morris

Wednesday beat Bolton

Sheffield Wednesday got their first home league win in three games on Saturday as they beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0 to move level on points with their opponents in League One.

It was a far from convincing victory but it the end points take priority over performances and Darren Moore really needed a positive result to keep his side in touch with the front runners in the division.

Moore started with a version of 3-4-3, Gibson coming in for his first league start at left-centre-back, Iorfa in the middle with Palmer on the right of the three. Hunt and Brown started in wide positions with Hutchinson and Bannan in midfield, Paterson, Gregory and Berahino up top.

Berahino dragged an early chance wide as the Owls started well but at the other end Gibson gifted a chance to the visitors when caught in possession by kachubga but the former Owls forward failed to make the most of the opportunity.

Bolton got on top for the next half an hour or so with Ex-Owls favourite Kieran lee pulling the strings but chances were at a premium. Afolayan hit a shot wide and Palmer did really well to block a close range chance for Doyle away for a corner.

Wednesday finally found a way into the game in the last ten minutes of the half, Gregory saw a glancing header tipped over the bar from a Bannan cross and Berahino shot wide from a tight angle when a pass to Paterson may have been the better option.

On the stroke of half-time John curled a free-kick just past the post after Iorfa, who had already been booked, brought down Lee on the edge of the penalty area.

Wednesday made two changes at the break with Gibson and Hutchinson replaced by Dunkley and Adeniran. Palmer reverted to left-back as the Owls moved to a back four. Wildsmith, in goal in place of Peacock-Farrell who is away on international duty, made a smart save early in the half to deny Doyle at close range.

With 25 minutes to go the home side found a breakthrough. A long ball forward from Palmer was helped out wide by Paterson and Berahino to Hunt, who produced a fine low cross that Gregory converted with a first-time finish from close range.

Wednesday sat right back in the last twenty minutes and other than a couple of punches clear, Wildsmith had little to do as the Owls saw the game out.

It wasn’t pretty but it was enough to move Wednesday up to 9th in the table ahead of a trip to AFC Wimbledon next weekend.