Sheff Weds v Southampton 02/11/96 3.00Sheff Weds (1) 1 Southampton (0) 1 FT Newsome 14 Le Tissier 50 (pen) Matt Le Tissier slotted home his third penalty of the season to stretch Southampton's unbeaten run to seven games and frustrated Wednesday's bid for a first win in ten. David Pleat's side, who have faded badly since opening the season with four straight victories, paid the price for failing to take a string of chances which followed Jon Newsome's 14th minute opener. And while Southampton never reached the heights of last week's 6-3 victory over Manchester United, they plugged away and got their reward five minutes into the second period. Wednesday dominated the first half and could consider themselves unlucky to go in at the break only one goal to the good. Southampton goalkeeper Chris Woods, handed his debut against one his former clubs, had to be alert to block an angled effort by Italian Benito Carbone in the seventh minute. The former England man, brought in by Graeme Souness on loan from American club Colorado this week, could only watch as a Scott Oakes shot from the edge of the box smashed against a post five minutes later. Good work by former Luton player Oakes lead to the corner which brought the Owls their 14th minute breakthrough. Carbone took the flag-kick and when the ball was only half cleared, Mark Pembridge picked out Dutchman Orlando Trustfull, who flighted in a teasing cross. Andy Booth dragged a couple of defenders with him as he made an unsuccessful lunge for the ball, and defender Newsome was left unmarked to head home his first goal of the season from the edge of the six yard box. The Saints' defence was breached twice more in five minutes as the break approached, but each time Woods was equal to the task. First he tipped a fierce Pembridge drive over the top, then got down low to fend off a close range stab by Booth. Southampton were restricted to the odd breakaway, but the ever dangerous Le Tissier still managed to hit the bar with an 18th minute chip and forced a good save from Kevin Pressman with a close range volley in first half injury time. Wednesday were made to regret their missed opportunities just five minutes into the second half. Alan Neilson picked out Norwegian Egil Ostenstad and as he turned into the box he tumbled under a challenge from Newsome. Referee Alan Wilkie waved away Wednesday's' protests and Le Tissier overcame the jeers of the home supporters massed behind the goal to calmly chalk up his tenth goal of the season from the resultant penalty. The Saints favourite had a great chance to put his side ahead just two minutes later, but Pressman did well to block with his legs. Booth had a shot from similar range saved by Woods at the other end in the 57th minute, and the visitors' new goalkeeper reacted smartly to parry the Wednesday's striker's header from a Carbone cross five minutes later. Pleat set on Guy Whittingham and Regi Blinker in a bid to pep up his side's victory challenge, but their afternoon was summed up when Booth blazed a Blinker cross over the bar in injury time. 
Sheff Weds: (4-4-2) Pressman, Atherton, Nolan, Pembridge, Newsome, Walker, Carbone (Humphreys, 87), Booth, Hyde, Oakes (Whittingham, 79), Trustfull (Blinker, 70). Subs not used: Clarke, Stefanovic. Booked: Newsome. Southampton: (3-5-2) Woods, Dodd, Le Tissier, Charlton, Neilson, Oakley (Slater, 77), Dryden (Potter, 82), Lundekvam (Magilton, 61), Berkovic, Ostenstad, Van Gobbel. Subs not used: Beasant, Watson. Booked: Van Gobbel. Attendance: 20,106. Referee: A B Wilkie (Chester-le-Street). |
