Hornets sting Owls thanks to controversial goal

Last updated : 02 April 2021 By C. Morris

Wednesday beaten by promotion chasers

Sheffield Wednesday suffered a narrow defeat on Good Friday as they went down to a 1-0 defeat away to 2nd placed Watford at Vicarage Road.

The home side, who had won 9 of their previous 10 games, took the lead in the 7th minute when Sarr beat Reach down the Owls left and his low cross looking for Isaac Success in the 6-yard box was turned into his own net by Tom Lees. The linesman flagged for offside but after consultation with the referee the goal was allowed to stand. The only reason Lees had to play the ball was because of the presence of the offside Watford player behind him, had Lees have left the ball then Success would likely have scored but would have then been flagged offside.

Wednesday have an abysmal record of coming back from losing positions this season and so it proved that the early goal was to be enough. Watford didn’t really offer much more of a test to Joe Wildsmith in the Owls goal and the visitors passed up a couple of good chances to come away with a point.

Bannan played in Windass with a cute pass on 25 minutes but the former Rangers player elected to try and get the ball onto his right-foot rather than take a shot on with his left and Bachmann in the Watford goalkeeper was able to make a save at the feet of the Wednesday forward.

Julian Borner then prodded a snapshot over the bar from a good position following a free-kick before Joao Pedro fired two shots off target for the home team either side of half-time.

The best chance of the game fell to Jordan Rhodes. A Bannan ball into the area made its way to the striker at the back post but he blazed a first time strike over the bar from close range with 25 minutes to go.

Time is running out for Wednesday to survive in the Championship as they remain 6 points adrift of safety with now just 8 games remaining. Next up is a home clash with Cardiff City on Easter Monday.