First start delight for Dawson

Last updated : 25 October 2016 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Cameron Dawson made his first start for the Owls first team on Saturday and picked up a win and a clean sheet in the process.

The 21-year-old made his Wednesday debut when he came on as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton and he performed the same role in the midweek 1-1 draw at Cardiff when Keiren Westwood was was again forced out of the action with an injury.

Republic of Ireland international Westwood failed to recover in time to feature this weekend, giving Dawson the chance to make his first Owls start in front of the Hillsborough faithful – an opportunity he grabbed with both hands.

A nervy start to the game saw him misplace a clearance into the path of QPR forward Chery but Dawson was on hand to produce a solid save when Chery fired in from the edge of the penalty area and from then on the Owls academy product seemed to grow in confidence.

Dawson produced a fine save to deny Onouha from close range in the 2nd half and when he was beaten in injury time Tom Lees was on hand to clear the danger and ensure a 1-0 win courtesy of Gary Hooper's first half goal.

Dawson's fine performances for the academy side have moved him in front of summer signing Jake Kean in the pecking order and with Westwood and England youth international Joe Wildsmith to come back from injury the Owls boast great strength in depth in goal.