Sheff Weds v Derby 21/09/96 3.00Sheff Weds (0) 0 Derby (0) 0 FT Ailing Wednesday desperately need a tonic to pick them up as their Premiership slide gathers pace. Jim Smith's side, looking for their first Hillsborough victory since 1936, always had the edge but failed to find the killer touch. Over zealous referee Graham Barber booked nine players, six from Derby, but it was hardly a blood bath. Derby almost broke the deadlock with 35 seconds gone when Chris Powell pumped over a left wing cross and Marco Gabbiadini charged through and marked to crack his header against the woodwork. Christian Dailly steamed through from midfield only to see his fierce right-foot effort smothered by the diving Kevin Pressman and minutes later the dangerous Dean Sturridge shrugged off two challenges with Pressman again flinging himself down to save his low shot. Referee Barber who had already booked three players, cautioned Mark Pembridge in a bizarre incident in the 25th minute for taking a free-kick before he had blown. The Welsh midfielder was seething and was later substituted with Dutchman Orlando Trustfull replacing him. Derby escaped when David Hirst lost his marker at the far post but his close range shot cannoned off the post and keeper Russell Hoult collected. Former Huddersfield striker Andy Booth saw his long range effort tipped over the bar by Hoult and the Derby keeper again foiled Booth diving bravely at his feet in the 40th minute. Wednesday skipper Peter Atherton went close with a shot from 20 yards and Hirst showed his pace in the 56th minute twisting his way past two tackles before turning to flash the ball inches over the top. The Sheffield side had the ball in the net in the 72nd minute when Booth ran in to meet an Atherton cross but he bundled Hoult over the line along with the ball and the goal was ruled out. 
Sheff Weds: Pressman, Nolan, Stefanovic, Walker, Atherton, Blinker (Oakes, 67), Whittingham, Hyde, Pembridge (Trustfull, 35), Hirst, Booth (Humphreys, 81). Subs not used: Clarke, Nicol. Booked: Hyde, Pembridge, Stefanovic. Derby: Hoult, Rowett, C. Powell, D. Powell, Stimac, Sturridge (Simpson, 89), Gabbiadini (Ward, 78), Laursen, Carsley, Dailly, Parker. Subs not used: Van Der Laan, Cooper, Kuy. Booked: D. Powell, Stimac, Laursen, Ward, Dailly, Carsley. Attendance: 23,934. Referee: G P Barber (Warwick). |
