Match preview: Fleetwood v Owls

24 December 2022

Fleetwood v Wednesday
Monday 26 December
3:00pm
League One
Highbury Stadium

THE MATCH

Wednesday will be looking to return to winning ways on Boxing Day at Fleetwood.

Darren Moore’s side are on a 10-game unbeaten run in League One but after three successive draws, the Owls will be aiming for a maximum haul at Highbury Stadium.

Wednesday have found a resilient streak this season, with just three defeats as we approach the hallway mark, the last of which came in early October at Plymouth.

The Christmas period, as ever, is set to be a hectic one in terms of the fixture scheduling with Fleetwood first on Boxing Day, followed by quickfire home games against Port Vale and Cambridge.

It could prove a key point in the campaign with just four points separating the top three in League One as Wednesday aim to close the gap on Plymouth and Ipswich in the automatic spots.

Fleetwood’s form has been up and down in the run-up to Christmas.

Scott Brown’s side picked up a point against Owls promotion rivals Ipswich at Portman Road in early December before defeating MK Dons at Stadium MK two weeks ago.

The club’s home fixture with Cambridge last weekend was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Our Boxing Day opponents are 16th in League One.

TEAM NEWS

Wednesday: Midfield trio Barry Bannan, George Byers and Dennis Adeniran have all been in training this week.

Darren Moore is hopeful that all three will be available as he monitors their progress at Middlewood Road over the next two days.

Along with Byers and Adeniran, defender Akin Famewo featured in the midweek behind closed doors friendly at Doncaster to further boost his match fitness.

Fleetwood: Striker Phoenix Patterson has joined from League of Ireland side Waterford but the former Tottenham academy graduate is not eligible to feature until the New Year.

OFFICIALS

Referee: Darren Handley
Assistant referee 1: Peter Gooch
Assistant referee 2: Simon Clayton
Fourth official: Joe Simpson

WATCH THE GAFFER’S PRESS CONFERENCE AS STREAMED LIVE

iFOLLOW

Extended iFollow coverage of the Owls resumes on Boxing Day when we travel to Fleetwood!

Match passes for a live stream of the game, which is sold out to visiting supporters, are on sale now HERE in the UK and overseas.

SOCIAL MEDIA

The hashtag for the game is #FLESHW

Our official Twitter account @swfc will provide a blow-by-blow text update of the game, team news at 2:00pm and all the key news from Highbury Stadium.

Our official Instagram @swfcofficial will also keep you up to date on the latest events, with content uploaded to the story throughout the matchday.

Why not also follow us on Facebook and Tik Tok!

Subscribe and turn on notifications from our YouTube channel, where you’ll find extended match highlights.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

26 April 2022 | Fleetwood 2-3 Owls | League One
17 August 2021 | Owls 1-0 Fleetwood | League One

SUPPORTER CONDUCT

Following isolated anti-social behaviour incidents this season, we are reinforcing the importance of all supporters staying within EFL Ground Regulations, which can be found HERE.

Under the banner of ‘Love Football. Protect The Game’ the FA, Premier League and EFL have together introduced new measures and stronger sanctions across the game to tackle the increased anti-social and criminal behaviours recently seen within football grounds.

Find out more HERE.

Match Reports

Report: Fleetwood 1-2 Wednesday

26 December 2022

Marvin Johnson made his mark at both ends as the Owls triumphed 2-1 at 10-man Fleetwood.

Johnson claimed an inadvertent assist, cleared off the line with the game equally poised and then scored the winning goal.

Shaun Rooney, later to receive his marching orders, had given the home side the ideal start before the returning George Byers levelled for Wednesday.

Johnson then took matters into his own hands to ensure Darren Moore celebrated his 100^th game in charge with a victory.

Half chances for both teams punctuated a frantic start before the breakthrough came nine minutes in.

A clever build-up from the engine room saw Carlos Mendes Gomes lay off invitingly for Rooney outside the box and the midfielder’s finish was true into the far corner, giving Cameron Dawson no chance.

But it took just six minutes for the Owls to equalise. Johnson miscued from the edge of the box but straight into the path of Byers, who conveniently diverted past the wrong-footed Jay Lynch.

The Fleetwood keeper was called into action as Wednesday pressed forward, Lynch doing well to keep out a fierce Alex Mighten hit on the angle.

Wednesday were dealt a blow when Lee Gregory limped off midway through a first half bursting with action.

Michael Smith was thwarted by Lynch from close range before Fleetwood twice went close to restoring their lead inside a matter of seconds.

First, Rooney climbed high to meet Dan Batty’s cross only to see his header smash against the crossbar.

The second ball eventually fell to Brendan Wiredu who seemed certain to score but Johnson was in the right place at the right time to hook off the line.

Batty slotted past the post immediately after the break but as the temperature dropped, so did the quality and openings in front of goal.

The contest developed into a scrappy affair, with Fleetwood having the edge in terms of possession in the swirling conditions.

But when Wednesday countered on 74 minutes, it proved decisive. Bannan’s corner was punched clear by Lynch only as far as Johnson, who executed a travelling volley that flew past the despairing Cod Army keeper.

Further gloom followed for Fleetwood as Rooney saw red for picking up a second yellow and that helped Wednesday over the line to extend the unbeaten run to 11 games.

Wednesday: Dawson, Mighten, Palmer, McGuinness, James, Johnson, Byers (Windass 87), Bannan (Dele-Bashiru 87), Bakinson (Vaulks 60), Gregory (Paterson 29), Smith

Match Reports

Ticket News

Fleetwood fixture sold out

8 December 2022

The Owls head to Fleetwood Town on Boxing Day and tickets for the festive fixture have sold out.

Our full allocation of 1,115 tickets have now been sold.

Supporters can request a place on the reserve list in the event of any late ticket returns.

Please email: ticketenquiries@swfc.co.uk with an ID number, Ticket Priority Points total and daytime contact number.

A live stream of this fixture will be available in the UK and overseas via our iFollow broadcast service, which is extended over the festive period.

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Fleetwood Town v Sheffield Wednesday - Highlights - Mon 26th December 2022

26 December 2022

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Fleetwood Town v Sheffield Wednesday - Extended highlights - Mon 26th December 2022

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Standings

Fleetwood Town v Sheffield Wednesday - Highlights - Mon 26th December 2022

Fleetwood Town v Sheffield Wednesday - Extended highlights - Mon 26th December 2022

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