Threesy Does It For Owls

Wednesday kicked off their pre-season campaign in style on Saturday when goals from Chris Brunt, Leon Clarke and Marcus Tudgay made it a comfortable afternoon at Halifax Town.

Owls boss Brian Laws included new signings Rob Burch, Lee Grant and Richard Hinds in the squad, which he rotated at half-time, and Wednesday dominated proceedings as expected in the first half.

But it wasn't until just after 20 minutes when the Owls grabbed the lead as a cross from Jermaine Johnson found Chris Brunt perfectly positioned to smash home a sweetly struck half volley.

And the floodgates looked to have opened just minutes after the restart when Leon Clarke doubled the advantage after some fine work in the Town half from strike partner Deon Burton.

Laws made wholesale changes at the break leaving only three players from the first half to kick-off the second, and the lack of fluidity showed as the hosts shaded the chances as they looked for a way back in to the game.

But Marcus Tudgay netted the Owls third with just over 20 minutes remaining as he produced a fine finish from a through ball.

And Laws told the official SWFC site: 'I know the players would rather be playing football like it is today rather than running at the training ground. You get more fitness out of games because you can't replicate what you get out of games what you get on the pitch.

'It was a good workout today I tried to give everybody forty five minutes. Some got sixty minutes and it was a good start to the pre-season.'