Positive local workout for Owls

Last updated : 26 July 2017 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster Rovers played out a reasonably entertaining friendly encounter at the Keepmoat Stadium on Tuesday evening as they step up their preparations for the new season.

Carlos Carvalhal’s side took the lead after half-an-hour of a game they had dominated up to that point. Sam Winnall met Ross Wallace’s cross with a glancing header that had the beating of Marosi in the home goal.

Despite their clear superiority the Owls failed to hold onto their lead into half-time as Liam Mandeville headed the equaliser a couple of minutes before the break.

The second half was a more even contest but Carlos Carvalhal’s side managed to find a winning goal midway through the half when Bannan played a ball over the top for Hooper and the striker chipped over the onrushing keeper before tapping into the open goal.

Marco Matias also hit the post late on but more important than the score line was the increased match fitness and the cohesiveness of the performance. There were more useful run outs for the likes of Abdi, Hutchinson and Loovens as they look to prove their fitness leaving Kieran Lee as they only first team regular yet to have any productive pre-season game-time.

The Owls conclude their pre-season schedule when they face Rangers at Hillsborough on Sunday before they kick off their Championship campaign at Preston on Saturday August 5th.