Yorkshire derby draw at Hillsborough

Last updated : 23 July 2011 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday’s first home friendly of the summer ended in a draw after Leeds United scored a second half equaliser against the Owls.

Wednesday caught their Championship visitor’s cold in the early exchanges and almost took the lead inside five minutes when Sedgwick headed against the bar from close range following a long throw in.

Leeds responded with a chance of their own as Kisnorbo placed a header wide but it didn’t take much longer for the home side to make their superiority pay however as they scored with just eight minutes on the clock. Former Leeds midfielder David Prutton found himself with time on the edge of the penalty area and made his way into the box before firing a fine strike past Rachubka in the away teams’ goal.

Gary Megson fielded trialist Padraig Amond in his starting line-up and the youngster went close with a header that bounced up and over the bar.

Leeds rallied early in the second half and Lloyd Sam was denied by a goal line clearance from Rob Jones and the defender was on hand again to block Clayton’s shot just before the hour mark. Wednesday showed they were still a threat when Jermaine Johnson shot wide after a mazy run but the West Yorkshire side continued to press and Weaver had to be on hand to deny Gradel.

Johnson spurned a chance to double the Owls advantage when he dragged an effort wide and Leeds earned a share of the spoils in the last ten minutes. Reda Johnson had his gaze firmly fixed on dealing with a looping cross but in going for the ball he flattened the stationary Max Gradel and the winger converted from the penalty spot.

Just over 9,000 were in attendance at Hillsborough and Gary Megson will be satisfied with the workout against a team that went close to a play-off place in the division above the Owls last season. Megson has made no secret of his desire to add some more new faces before the start of the season and although the Owls look solid and competitive in their current state they are in need of a bit more in the final third.