- Stuart Gray pleased with pre-season workout
- Head coach delighted to kick off with 2-0 win
- Chris Maguire goal and clean sheet bonus for Owls
Owls head coach Stuart Gray believes the friendly with York ticked all the boxes for a good pre-season workout.
Wednesday eased to a 2-0 win over the Minstermen and Gray was pleased with how his side came through their first test of the summer.
In high temperatures at Bootham Crescent, Wednesday went ahead midway through the first half after Chris Maguire’s free kick was nodded into his own net by Keith Lowe.
Maguire then gave the Owls a two-goal cushion with an outstanding drive from distance.
Gray said: “It was a typical pre-season game, the temperature was high but it was a good workout for the boys.
“We’re grateful to York for putting on the game for us.
“It was a good workout and it’s always nice to keep a clean sheet.
“It’s all about getting the fitness in and getting the running in especially on a hot day like today.
“In any conditions you have got to keep the ball simple, we could have scored more with a little more quality in front of goal but the pleasing thing is the workout and a win.
“We want to keep that winning mentality going right through pre-season.
“I don’t want to lose games and it’s a tough place to come here.”
On Maguire’s first half goal, Gray added: “I’m a great believer that if you get an opportunity to shoot, then take it, and Chris doesn’t need any encouragement. It was a fantastic strike and he will be buzzing from that.”
On the subject of team news, Gray confirmed that Lewis Buxton missed the clash with York due to a knee injury suffered in training and is around two weeks away from a comeback.
Central defender Kamil Zayatte is expected to return to action next week.
“We’ve got a couple of minor problems,” Gray said. “Lewis Buxton and Kamil Zayatte are carrying knocks and I thought the game was a little too early for Keiren Westwood.
“The most important thing at this stage is the fitness levels. We put some of the younger kids on in the second half and it was also a good opportunity for me to have a look at them.”
During the pre-season encounter, the Owls fielded French trialists Achille Campion, who partnered Gary Madine up front, in the first half.
“He’s a boy who comes from France who has been playing out in America,” Gray confirmed. “He’s been with us two weeks now, his ball retention was good today and I thought he and Gary Madine did well. “