Sheffield Wednesday ended their week in Portugal on a high thanks to a 2-0 friendly win against newly promoted Reading. The main aim of the week in the sun was to step up fitness and work on tactics but a win against a top flight team will be a boost to morale and confidence.
Wednesday used a young local goalkeeper in their defeat to Sporting Lisbon on Sunday but Stephen Bywater returned this evening to keep a clean sheet. The former Derby stopper was in impressive form last season in helping the Owls win promotion and he needs to be on his game at this stage as new signing Chris Kirkland will provide a challenge for the number one spot ahead of the new season.
A goal late in the first half from winger Mike Jones gave the Owls the lead and they stood string in the face of second half pressure before doubling the lead through substitute Chris O’Grady.
Wednesday transfer target Michail Antonio played in the second amidst rumours that Wednesday have made an improved bid for the winger.
The Owls will now return to home soil and step up their pre-season schedule with further warm up games against Doncaster, West Brom and Kilmarnock ahead of the Carling Cup game at Oldham on August 13th and the start of the Championship campaign at Derby on the 18th.