Like Bents late goal, my report from last weeks Wednesday match is better late than never. Computer trouble held up it’s delivery but hopefully like Darren’s strike - you will deem it worth the wait!

Yet another early kick-off brought about one of the best games of the season as a potential dress rehearsal for May 28th to whet the appetite.

A game befitting of St George’s Day and a pre-match burst of the national anthem to boot… although there was a slight sprinkler incident…

As if knowing that I already had my puns thought out, our very own King George (Thorne) was forced to miss the game through illness. It was just as well that Prince William was ready to step up to the throne, for his first start since the opening day.

From the off, you knew that was going to be a good one. Buoyed by knowing our place in the playoffs was already secure, a relaxed atmosphere settled the players down immediately. Good work from Bryson teed up Martin in the box, with his tame strike easily held by Westwood.

Next came a Rams rarity-a set-piece from the training ground! One wonders how much wheeling and dealing was involved in its makeup, but it nearly came off, with Martin crashing the loose ball over.

An entertaining opening then saw Kieran Lee (no, not THAT one) drive through our midfield far too easily, before his screwed shot found Hooper’s big toe before thankfully spinning wide. Next, it was our turn to take the basketball, with a flowing move seeing Butterfield drive a low left-footed effort to make Westwood scramble.

The neutrals at home would have loving the open feel to the game, with Prince Williams’s inclusion in the holding role undoubtedly aiding the attacking tempo. Our next attack saw Christie do well down the right to deliver a teasing cross, which Westwood punched out to Olsson. With the keeper on the floor, Marcus (Olsson baby!) couldn’t find the same accustomed finish that sunk the red dogs.

Ex-Ram Barry Bannan was looking neat and tidy for the visitors and after another slick move, took aim, with his deflected effort well saved by Carson. Spurred on by an impressive away following, the Owls were swooping with menace, looking a safe bet to secure the top-six berth.

However, the Rams are already there and set about putting a marker down themselves. A terrific team move including Martin, Russell and Ince saw the ball played back to Bryson on the edge of the box. Craig’s whipped effort deserved a Jaeger and some Haggis but was well saved again by Westwood.

With the Rams looking more industrious as the half neared its conclusion, Russell was next to deliver a good cross from the right. After more pinball in the area, the ball again didn’t fall for Martin, who already looked like he shouldn’t bother putting the lottery on in the evening.

Added time almost brought about a late contender for the goal of the season, as Ince’s free-kick as a lick of paint away from finding the top bin. 0-0 at the break.

It was however very nearly not goalless for long after the break. The tricky but infuriating Forestieri skipped away from a challenge on the right before hammering a shot that looked destined for the corner. Was it a bird? Was it a plane? No, it was Scott Carson, clawing away the effort superbly to his left.

The near miss seemed to galvanise the Rams into action and soon enough we had missed two (happy and) glorious chances to take the lead. First, terrific work from Christie saw him pull back the perfect ball to the penalty spot on the on-rushing Bryson. Seeing him charging in, you would have put your house on him finding the corner. Instead, his well-struck effort could only find the palms of Westwood.

Soon after, more great work from Cyrus saw him advance towards the box and slip Russell through one-on-one, taking the shot early, he was again well denied by the feet of the goalkeeper. The ball then fell back for Christie, who couldn’t shimmy and shake a way through. Martin could though, picking up the loose ball, cutting instead and smashing a shot… into the South Stand.

Now the crowd was rocking, with ‘Dale Cavese’ sounding as loud as it has all season. What a shame then when against the run of play, Wednesday scored.

It was though a strike from the top drawer and it was a Scot who threatened to ruin St George’s Day. Bannan drove forwards at the Rams defence, which could have got closer, before playing a one-two with Hooper, collecting the return and curling a tremendous effort in off the bar. A genuine piece of quality that the game deserved.

Shuffling the pack, Hanson came on for Hughes, with 70 plus minutes safely collected under the belt. As the atmosphere from the home end was abruptly halted, Wednesday almost made it a memorable Saturday, with Forestieri’s free-kick from the left the width of the bar away from doubling the advantage.

Going for broke, Wassall turned to his bench again, as messers Bent and Blackman entered the fray for Ince and Butterfield. It was nice to see the pair come on when we weren’t 3-0 up…(Rotherham away…shudders…). Over the pre-match breakfast, I had made the point that I still felt Bent could come up with a crucial goal in the run-in. How fitting then, after being on the pitch for just a minute, Darren found the onion bag!

A superb run down the left from Russell culminated in him delivering a deep cross. Too deep it seemed but Bent had other ideas, showing desire and a strong leap to power the ball into the net. I’ll provide this weeks’ lottery numbers on request…

Now it really was game on. It was very nearly game off for Keogh, when after turning away from Forestieri, he appeared to elbow the Italian in the face. Somehow, referee Mason ended up booking him and not our skipper.

Ah yes, referee Mason. The kind of bloke you imagine absolutely loves birthdays and the festive season, such was his fondness for cards. Yet again, a ‘Premier League Official’ served to do his best to spoil a good game. Note to the FA, you can keep them in the Premier League… at least until after May 28th!

With time running down, we wanted a late hero. Unfortunately, we got Nick Blackman.

More terrific work from Russell saw him cut in from the left and clip a ball in, with Wednesday’s offside trap again highly suspect. Any one of Martin, Bent or the aforementioned Blackman could have scored. Instead, Martin flicked on to Blackman.

Did he take a touch and smash home? No. Did he roll back to Bent to put into an unguarded net? No. Instead, as Westwood approached, Blackman looked as if he had just remembered he had left the oven on, performing a shocking slo-mo 360 degree turn as the keeper smothered.

And that was the final chance of note. A good game between two good sides. As I left the ground, the Wednesday supporters chanted, ‘see you at Wembley.’ They might just do that.

Weston’s Player Rating:

Scott Carson -7: An excellent save in the second half and distribution brilliant.

Cyrus Christie — 7: Another good game. Denied stick-on pen.

Richard Keogh — 6: A good battle with Forestieri.

Jason Shackell — 6: Solid as ever.

Marcus Olsson — Westons Star Man 9: Can’t remember him missing a tackle. Excellent.

Will Hughes — 6: Great to see him start. Began brilliantly but understandably tired.

Craig Bryson — 7: Energetic self.

Jacob Butterfield — 6: Not his best game but not his worst.

Johnny Russell — 7: Certainly the man in form.

Tom Ince — 6: Looked leggy and was rightly subbed.

Chris Martin — 6: A frustrating afternoon.

Subs:

Jamie Hanson — 5: Not the greatest cameo!

Darren Bent — 7: Good to see him come on and even better to see him do what he does!

Nick Blackman — 4: Let’s not even talk about THAT moment shall we?

Match Highlights:

Gaffer / Player - Post Match Reaction:

Darren Wassall felt the point was well deserved:

Darren Bent was happy to be back and scoring!:

Photo: Action Images

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