After a week to forget with defeat last Saturday, no signings and our rivals continuing to pick up points, there was plenty of pressure on us to perform. We struggled for long spells against tough opposition but still had just enough quality to snatch a priceless three points. A couple of unexpected changes in midfield saw Moussi return in place of Majewski whilst Anderson was rested in favour of Tyson.
 
The footballing Wednesday side are a thing of the past under Irvine’s short reign. Similar to Coventry, they came to battle, hassle and relied solely on set pieces and especially long throw-ins to create any chances. Credit to our side for standing up to them and finding the resolve to respond to their equaliser and get ourselves in front soon after. If other sides think that we’re suspect from this approach then we’ll need many more of these performances to stay in touch.
 
We struggled to create many clear chances, with Earnshaw’s curling free kick and Tyson’s long range effort requiring decent saves. We needed a  generous decision for the penalty that Blackstock smashed in the top corner and then we looked comfortable until half time. Wednesday improved after the break but still needed a lucky rebound to find a way past our defence. We responded well and Cohen’s free kick found Blackstock to score from close range at the second attempt. Camp’s kicking might have been slightly suspect but his handling from the constant long balls into the area was almost perfect. Every time they lined up another long throw in, he made his decision early and stuck to it. Gunter and Perch didn’t get many opportunities to shine going forwards but did a decent job defensively. Perch was rightly criticised last weekend but made a number of blocks and won most things in the air, especially in the second half. The contrast between him and Shorey when in possession are obvious though and it almost negates any real threat down the left hand side. Morgan and Wilson did what was required with a number of clearing headers and blocks as Wednesday increased the pressure after the break.
 
Neither Moussi or Tyson made the most of their starting opportunities in the side. Moussi often looked bewildered in midfield, causing more problems for our own side that our opponents but his ungainly style is still capable of shielding the defence on the edge of our own area and making those scruffy challenges. McKenna’s performance seemed to suffer as a result with a number of rushed aimless clearances. Without Majewski providing the link between midfield and attack, too often we panicked and looked a much poorer team as a result.
 
Tyson struggled to get into the game and barely looked a threat all afternoon. He wasn’t helped by the lack of any real support from Perch behind him though who is obviously going to favour his right foot each time. Anderson made a real difference to the closing stages when he got the ball on the floor and starting taking the game to their defence. Cohen continues to show the form that makes it almost impossible to withdraw him from the midfield.
 
MOTM Blackstock was the difference between the sides with another well taken penalty and being in the right place for the winner. Earnshaw was unlucky to see his free kick saved from the top corner and should have done better from Perch’s pin-point pass that saw him clear eight yards out. Both forwards worked hard for the team but our midfield struggled to get going and support them well enough.
 

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Dexter Blackstock