- Newcastle secure Hillsborough win
- Ayoze Perez bags decisive goal
- Barnsley up next for Wednesday
Top-flight Newcastle emerged 1-0 winners from Wednesday night’s friendly encounter at Hillsborough.
Ayoze Perez notched the decisive goal midway through the second half of an entertaining contest under the S6 lights.
Wednesday arguably shaded possession and chances but Newcastle converted the one that counted, although a draw might have been a fairer reflection.
With four pre-season friendlies under the belt in sweltering temperatures, the Owls welcomed the climes of a cool summer evening.
The tempo was perhaps greater as a result and Wednesday saw plenty of the ball in the early throes.
They created the better openings too, with Jacques Maghoma having a fierce shot deflected wide before Chris Maguire was only just off target with a chip from 12 yards.
Newcastle, though, did look dangerous on the break and Emmanuel Riviere went close following a clever through-ball from Lubomir Satke.
For Wednesday’s part, Giles Coke forced Robert Elliot into a low save after turning smartly on the edge of the area and Joe Mattock lashed narrowly wide moments later.
The home side continued to press and Gary Madine powered a header goalwards, Elliot saved spectacularly, but the linesman’s flag was raised regardless.
The Owls went closer still eight minutes before the break when Sam Hutchinson looked to have broken the deadlock only for his whipped effort to smash against the crossbar.
Wednesday could certainly be satisfied with their first half display and carried on where they left off in the second period.
Trialist Dejan Kelhar made way for Kamil Zayatte and Michail Antonio came on for Jacques Maghoma but the Owls kept their shape and continued to ask more of the questions.
But Elliot’s goal was untroubled, although the same was true of Kirkland’s at the other end.
That was until the game’s deciding moment on 66 minutes when the Magpies stole into the lead.
Gabriel Obertan slotted Perez through with a clever pass and the latter stroked past Kirkland to grab what proved the only goal of the game.
The Owls might have snatched a deserved leveller 12 minutes from time when Madine found substitute Betra in space ten yards from goal but the young striker stabbed wide.
Owls: Kirkland, Palmer (Young 83), Mattock (Floro 81), Hutchinson (McCabe 62), Loovens, Kelhar (Zayatte 46), Maguire (Contout 62), Coke (Croasdale 75), Maghoma (Antonio 46), Madine, Nuhiu (Betra 75)
Newcastle: Elliot, Yanga-Mbiwa, Perez (Campbell 73), Haidara (Bigirimana 62), Tiote (Vuckic 62), Obertan, Riviere (Streete 55), Dummett, Satka, Abeid, Armstrong (Gilliead 86)
Attendance: 10,173