Another late blow for Wednesday

Wednesday lost to another late goal in a 2-1 defeat to Oxford at a rain-sodden Hillsborough this afternoon.

After being outplayed in the first half, we gave a better showing in the second 45, Callum Paterson heading home an equaliser on 73 minutes. However, just when we looked to have salvaged a point, James Henry took advantage of poor defending to turn and flick home from close range to seal all three points for Oxford in the 93rd minute … just a week after we allowed Ipswich to equalise in the closing moments at Portman Road.

There was still time for Barry Bannan to thunder a 25-yarder against the crossbar but we ended up with nothing and now slip back to 12th place on 15 points, four adrift of the play-offs.

Oxford were much the better team in the opening half and went ahead on 12 minutes when Cameron Brannagan fired home, beating Bailey Peacock-Farrell at his near post.

It might have been worse by the break with Oxford showing the determination and intensity sadly lacking in Wednesday’s first-half showing, our only real threat of note coming when keeper Jack Stevens tipped away a fizzer from Barry Bannan.

The second half began in similar vein and the visitors went close to doubling their lead almost immediately, Peacock-Farrell producing an excellent point-blank save to foil Matty Taylor.

However, we hit back soon afterwards with Saido Berahino almost equalising when his diving header came back off a post.

The improvement in performance from the first half continued and we were rewarded 17 minutes from time, Paterson powering home his equalising header from Marvin Johnson’s cross. Then Paterson had a penalty claim turned down when he fell to the ground after tussling with an Oxford defender in the box.

Oxford were still a threat at the other end, with Henry and Sam Long going close, and it was Henry who turned the ball home for that late, late winner.

Bannan almost pinched a point back with his piledriver but the crossbar came to keeper Stevens’ rescue as Wednesday lost their first home league game of the season.

Peacock-Farrell, Palmer, Dunkley, Iorfa, Johnson, Bannan, Adeniran, Wing (Dele-Bashiru 67), Shodipo (Sow 61), Paterson, Gregory (Berahino 46). Unused subs. Wildsmith, Hunt, Brown, Corbeanu. Att: 22,060.

 

 

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