- Deadlock at Hillsborough in derby draw
- Few chances for Owls and Millers
- Late penalty claim denied for Wednesday
The Owls and Rotherham played out a goalless draw on Saturday, in keeping with both sides’ current form.
With Wednesday seeking a much-needed home success to mirror their away pedigree and the Millers arriving in S6 with only one victory on the road, something had to give at Hillsborough if there was to be a winner.
But the two South Yorkshire teams could not be separated and each had to settle for a share of the spoils.
After an impeccably observed minute’s silence to mark the 100th anniversary of WWI, the Owls certainly started this derby brightly.
Stevie May – a summer target for the Millers – looked lively in the early throes, as did Jacques Maghoma, who did well to work his way out of the corner to find Gary Taylor-Fletcher but the latter’s shot whistled narrowly wide.
The visitors threatened themselves, though, and Paul Green went close with a clear header from a Ben Pringle corner.
The contest then developed into typical derby fare of plenty of hustle and bustle but a dearth of chances, with the only real talking point remaining in the first half an injury to Taylor-Fletcher that prompted an early departure for the loan recruit.
The Owls also started the second period well and almost profited when goalkeeper Adam Collin miskicked a Kirk Broadfoot backpass.
But Rotherham survived the scare as the ball ran wide and gave Wednesday one of their own when Fraser Richardson smashed over the crossbar after May had a low effort smothered in front of the Kop.
It was an end to end affair as the second half progressed but for all the effort, chances remained few and far between.
Jeremy Helan forced Collin into action with a near post save in the closing stages and Glenn Loovens put the rebound just wide from the resulting corner and that was as near as the game came to a decider.
The Owls did have a penalty shout when Kieran Lee went down in the area but the referee waved the claim away and with it went any chance of a goal.
Owls: Westwood, Palmer, Lees, Loovens, Helan, Maguire (Lee 66), Semedo, Coke, Maghoma, May, Taylor-Fletcher (Nuhiu 39)
Rotherham: Collin, Skarz, Broadfoot, Frecklington, Revell, Green, Richardson, Pringle, Morgan, Taylor, Smallwood