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Match Reports

Report: Owls 3-1 Forest

9 September 2017

Match Reports

Report: Owls 3-1 Forest

9 September 2017

Wednesday posted their first Championship home win of the season and in some style too, beating Nottingham Forest 3-1.

After Gary Hooper’s opener was cancelled out by Ben Osborn, the Owls took control and made the points safe with goals from Steven Fletcher and the returning Kieran Lee.

It was no more than the home side deserved as Carlos Carvalhal’s side controlled the tempo of the contest and this time got their reward.

Both teams made their intentions clear from the off, with Wednesday first to show as Hooper went close from Jack Hunt’s low cross.

Forest responded with Ben Brereton trying his luck on the counter but Keiren Westwood smothered comfortably.

Back play went to the other end and the Owls created no less than four chances in five minutes.

First Fletcher forced a fine save from Jordan Smith before debutant Joost van Aken almost made a dream start but was thwarted by the alert Forest keeper from 12 yards.

Then Adam Reach glanced another Hunt cross wide and Hooper fired just over after wriggling past his marker.

On 17 minutes, though, the visitors launched another counter and came close to taking the lead.

Brereton found space down the right and centred for the onrushing Jason Cummings, who could only slot wide from close range.

Conceding then would have been harsh on the enterprising Owls and indeed it was the hosts that hit the front on 23 minutes.

Smith miscued a clearance right into the path of Barry Bannan who prodded through to Hooper and the former Celtic man made no mistake in drilling past Smith.

But the advantage lasted barely five minutes as the Midlanders hit straight back and equalised.

Osborn escaped the attention of Tom Lees, advanced down the left angle and shot low and hard to beat the advancing Westwood.

Wednesday regrouped and Wallace tested Smith with a curling effort before the final chance of an enthralling first half fell to Brereton, who hit across Westwood and past the post.

The second period started as the first ended with chances at either end. Hooper pulled the trigger from ten yards but Liam Bridcutt bravely blocked.

In keeping with the game, Forest hit back, and Brereton was denied a goal by Lees, who got back on the line to clear after the youngster beat Westwood.

And that moment proved key as Wednesday promptly restored their lead on 63 minutes.

Lee, making his first start of the season, swung in an accurate corner and Fletcher climbed high to head home.

Seven minutes later, the points were secure as the Owls notched from their next attack.

Hunt crossed from the right and the unfortunate Tendayl Darikwa could only clear into the path of team mate Joe Worrall, the ball fell into the path of the loitering Lee and the game was all but over.

Wednesday: Westwood, Hunt, Lees, van Aken, Reach, Wallace, Jones, Lee (Butterfield 75), Bannan, Fletcher (Boyd 69), Hooper (Rhodes 77)


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