The Owls’ Under-18s went down 3-0 to a strong QPR side on Saturday in the capital.
All the goals came in the first half and it was those early concessions that gave the visitors too high a mountain to climb.
Wednesday coach Steve Haslam said: “We were slow out of the blocks today and guilty of being wasteful in possession in the first half.
“We are disappointed with the goals conceded as we were undone by the physicality of the opposition at set plays which we should have dealt with better.”
The Owls rallied after the break and gave an improved account of themselves but the earlier damage was done.
Haslam added: “In the second half, we played much better but it was too little, too late.
“It’s a reminder to the players of the importance of starting games aggressively, particularly against a good team like QPR, who are top of the Southern Division."