REPORT: Brentford 1-1 Owls
Wednesday salvaged a 1-1 draw at Brentford in the last minute after conceding a freak goal, going down to ten men and creating enough first half chances to put the game out of reach.
The Bees also saw their numbers reduced to ten – albeit near the end of an entertaining clash – but fell to a last-gasp Sam Hutchinson equaliser that cancelled out what appeared to be a winner from Lasse Vibe.
A warm afternoon in the capital had started so well as the Owls made a hugely encouraging start, playing a possession game that saw Brentford pinned in their own half.
On four separate occasions Wednesday went close to first blood – the best chance falling to Lucas Joao, who spooned over the bar from close range after an impressive three-man move.
Prior to that, Daniel Pudil fired wide from a Barry Bannan feed before Tom Lees’ goal-bound header was cleared off the line by Nico Yennaris
Fernando Forestieri then forced a diving save from Daniel Bentley as Wednesday were in total control, with the only thing missing a goal.
And twice in two minutes it almost came – Yennaris’ blushes were spared when Bentley just managed to divert a headed back pass, then Harlee Dean prevented a maiden goal for Steven Fletcher at the last.
Incredibly, the first half ended goalless, much to the relief of the Bees, who had Bentley to thank right on the whistle for somehow keeping out a bullet header from Joao.
If Wednesday’s luck was out before the break, it completely deserted them ten minutes after when Brentford took the lead in the most bizarre of circumstances.
Sam Hutchinson played the ball back to Keiren Westwood but the keeper’s attempted clearance cannoned off the advancing Lasse Vibe and into the empty net.
It was harsh on the Owls, who suddenly found themselves on the back foot, with the breakthrough serving as a much-needed boost for the Londoners.
Scott Hogan brought a fine save from Westwood as the pendulum swung and the same player chipped wide on the angle.
Then just as Wednesday were forging a route back, they were dealt a second hammer blow when Jones saw a first half yellow card upgraded to red with 15 minutes to go.
The Bees were then reduced to ten men when Vibe was issued a second yellow three minutes from time.
Bentley then produced back to back wonder saves to deny Almen Abdi and Lees but the Owls would not be kept out.
Deep into stoppage time, Hutchinson stooped low in the area to nod high into the net from a Bannan centre to salvage a point at the last for the visitors.
Wednesday: Westwood, Palmer (Abdi 76), Lees, Hutchinson, Pudil, Jones (S/O 74), Lee, Bannan, Forestieri, Fletcher (Hooper 63) Joao (Nuhiu 68)