Owls romp to victory to all but end fears of the drop

Alarm bells were ringing a week ago but back-to-back victories over Colchester United and, last night, Tranmere Rovers have lifted Gary Megson’s side out of trouble with six games to go.

Nine points clear of the League One relegation zone, they are not mathematically safe yet but are definitely breathing easily.

It took just 22 minutes to wrap up this game as goals from Tommy Miller (2) and Gary Madine put the Owls into a commanding 3-0 lead.

Perhaps, they could have kept the foot on the accelerator for longer – but no one at Hillsborough was complaining.

Striker Neil Mellor put the icing on the cake in added time, scoring the fourth goal of the night from the tightest of angles after rounding goalkeeper Tony Warner.

The ovation from the crowd at the final whistle spoke volumes.

For the first time since taking over 15 games ago, Megson had named an unchanged side and bench.

Having waited so long for the home victory, which arrived three days earlier against Colchester, why would he have opted to tinker with a winning formula?

One of the players axed last weekend, on-loan midfielder Isaiah Osbourne, has gone back early to Aston Villa.

The Owls eventually picked up where they left off against Colchester although it was a far from comfortable first 10 minutes as Tranmere applied pressure.

The Owls scored on the counter attack with Miller, Gary Teale and Mellor linking up superbly in a three-versus-two scenario.

Teale picked up a pass from Miller on the wing, delivered a perfect far-post cross to Mellor and the striker headed back across the goal for Miller to nod home from close range.

Just four minutes later the Owls doubled their lead as striker Madine rolled the ball past goalkeeper Tony Warner following a pass from Mellor.

Tranmere’s players looked like rabbits dazzled by headlights – they could easily go down this season – and it was not long before the Owls inflicted further misery.

Mellor, for the third time, was involved, winning a penalty under pressure from defender Michael Kay.

Miller took responsibility for the spot-kick and duly sent Warner the wrong way.

The Wednesday Band blew trumpets from the back of the Kop but the rest of the stadium often felt no need to offer accompaniment as their side cruised towards the interval.

There has been many a silent moment at Hillsborough this season – often due to the shock of self-implosion – but this was a comfortable silence, not the kind that was masking any pain.

For once, the Owls had truly grasped the nettle and taken hold of a game early on. Realistically, there was no way back for the visitors after conceding three goals in the first 22 minutes.

In a move that smacked of desperation, Tranmere manager Les Parry substituted striker Dale Jennings to shouts of ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ from the away fans.

Jennings looked equally stunned and jogged straight down the tunnel to the dressing rooms without a backward glance at his bench.

As half-time approached, there were occasional signs of complacency from the Owls and it took a great tackle from Danny Batth to prevent Enoch Showunmi pulling a goal back.

Batth has started to show signs of real potential in the last few games and is also a threat in the opposition box at corners.

The on-loan Wolves defender was unlucky not to score just after the break with a firm header that was blocked in the goalmouth.

Tranmere showed brief flashes of intent and Owls goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell saved at point-blank range from Adam McGurk near the end but the visitors never seriously threatened any sort of comeback.

Noise levels in the stands picked up as Hillsborough bathed in the glow of clear superiority.

No one would deny that this has been a season to forget for the Owls but it does appear now to be ending on a high and without a second consecutive relegation.

Goalkeeper Nicky Weaver, meanwhile, has signed a new two-year deal.

Weaver has missed the last five games with a groin injury but is expected to be back in action before the end of the season.

Sheffield Wednesday: O’Donnell; Otsemobor, Batth, R Johnson, Buxton; Teale (Sedgwick 67), Miller (O’Brien 67), O’Connor, J Johnson; Madine ( C.Morrison 83), Mellor. Unused substitutes: Nicholls, Coke, D.Jones, Potter..

Tranmere Rovers: Warner; Kay , Taylor, McChrystal, Cresswell; Weir (Akins 77), Welsh, Labadie, Bakayago; Jennings (McGurk 38), Showunmi. Unused substitutes: Collister, Mahon, Wood, Fraughan, Blanchard.

Referee: D Whitestone (Northamptonshire)