Owls are national champions

Last updated : 05 May 2019 By C. Morris
Youngsters win at Hillsborough
 
Sheffield Wednesday ended their successful season in style on Friday night when they won the national under 18's final thanks to a 3-2 win against Cardiff City at Hillsborough.
 
Having wrapped up the Development League North title last month the Owls beat Ipswich Town 1-0 in the national play-off semi-final last weekend while Cardiff overcame Leeds United to book their place in the final.
 
Charles Hagan gave the young Owls the advantage just before the half-hour mark in the final, latching onto Josh Dawodu's through-ball and producing a cool finish. Wednesday's youngster doubled their lead thanks to Charlie Reaney's goal just before half-time leaving Cardiff with plenty of work to do in the second half.
 
To their credit the young Welsh team fought back but couldn't find a way through early in the second half and having weathered the storm it looked like Wednesday would ease to victory. That was far from the case however as with 12 minutes to go Griffiths scored from close range to give the visitors hope.
 
Substitute Elliott Vasalo restored Wednesday's two-goal advantage within moments of the Cardiff goal as he took advantage of some slack defensive play by City. In typical Wednesday fashion it wasn't to be a straightforward cruise to the final whistle as Cardiff again reduced the arrears with Margetson heading home from a corner.
 
As the game drew to a close Cardiff saw 2 red cards in quick succession as Griffiths and Evans both received their 2nd yellow cards and Wednesday were then able to see the game out and end what has been a memorable season for the Under 18's by collecting the national trophy.