Yeovil 0-2 Wednesday

JERMAINE Johnson was the hero for Wednesday as he returned to action as a second-half substitute to score and put the on-song Owls on course for three more npower League One points at Huish Park on Saturday.

The jet-heeled winger entered the contest just after the hour mark and fired Wednesday ahead with a superb strike just ten minutes later.

Tommy Miller wrapped the points up for the Owls from the penalty spot six minutes from time but Jon Otsemobor's sending-off four minutes from time put a slight dampener on proceedings for the visitors.

The victory was Wednesday's third league win on the spin, and fourth in all competitions, and moves them up another place in the league ladder to fourth.

Owls boss Irvine made just one change to the side that beat Leyton Orient at Hillsborough last weekend with Daniel Jones replacing Tommy Spurr at left-back. Johnson continued on the bench after playing 85 minutes of the midweek reserve clash against Nottingham Forest.

Yeovil also came into the game in good form, they'd won two away games on the spin and drew against Southampton last time out at Huish Park.

But the visitors started the game brightly and were calling the tune in the early exchanges.

Irvine had commented on the importance of a good start against Terry Kiverton's men and his troops were following the orders to a tee.

Wednesday's impressive start should have resulted in at least one goal as two golden chances came and went.

First Marcus Tudgay saw his header drift just wide of goal following a good cross from Jones and then Teale should have done better with the goal at his mercy but he fired Clinton Morrison's cross over the bar.

Yeovil came more into the game as the first half wore on and Wednesdayites may have been thinking that the early missed chances could cost them as the hosts continued to improve with time.

Owain Tudar Jones, previously linked with a move to S6, was the architect as he carved through the Owls defence and put Sam Williams through on goal but Nicky Weaver was equal to his effort.

The momentum had swung from the visitors to the hosts as half-time approached but chances were few and far between in a match which was being won and lost in the middle of the park.

Half-Time:

The Owls will have been keen to repeat their quick-fire start in the second half but it was Yeovil who continued to look the more likely to break the deadlock on the resumption.

A deep Andrew Welsh free-kick allowed Paul Huntington to connect with his head but he failed to trouble Weaver.

Tudar Jones was next to threaten but Weaver was again there to divert the danger with a good save as the hosts upped the tempo.

The Owls boss took note of Yeovil's attacking start to the second half and looked to counter it with the introduction of Johnson on 62 minutes, Gary Teale making way.

JJ's run on to the pitch brought fresh optimism among the 1700-plus travelling Wednesdayites as they gave the Jamaican winger a warm reception on the pitch.

He's a player who can always produce a moment of magic on the pitch and he did just that only ten minutes into his first appearance of the season.

Picking the ball up outside the box, Johnson struck an unstoppable effort into the top corner to send the travelling Owls fans behind the goal into raptures.

The goal lifted Wednesday and, while Yeovil were desperate for a way back into the game, Johnson's pace and trickery forced the hosts further back down the pitch than they would have wanted to be.

It meant the Owls could attack their hosts and they did just that, Otsemobor surging into the box and being hauled down by Luke Ayling, resulting in the referee pointing to the spot.

Miller stepped up and made no mistake to double the Owls' advantage and all-but seal another welcome three points from a tough place to go in Huish Park.

Wednesday did finish the game on a sour note as Otsemobor got his marching orders for a straight red card for a late challenge on Nathan Smith.

Otsemobor's suspension will mean Irvine will be keen to get the current transfer embargo on the club lifted so he can bolster his defensive options, with Mark Beevers also missing for around two months with an ankle injury.

A good day at the office for Wednesday though, again, and the Owls will be looking to continue their winning momentum at home against Bournemouth next weekend.

Full-Time: Yeovil 0-2 Wednesday

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