Sheffield Wednesday 0 Notts County 1: Hillsborough horror for Wednesday as County make most of the jitters

Another mediocre afternoon at Hillsborough as the topsy-turvy world of Sheffield Wednesday was played out in front of their long suffering fans.

While Gary Megson’s side enjoy their away days, the overheated atmosphere at home seems to bring out the worst in them as the Sheffield side again failed to impress following the 3-2 victory at Oldham in midweek.

And it could have been worse but for Nicky Weaver who produced a hat-trick of saves to keep lowly County at bay after Alan Gow scored from the penalty spot in the 27th minute following Mark Beevers’ innocuous challenge.

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The Wednesday goalkeeper apologised to the fans after the match: “We’ve won at Carlisle and Oldham but in between we’ve now lost twice at home.

“We get a good result on the road, we come back to Hillsborough hoping to get a run going and we’ve lost again. It’s happening far too often and I don’t know why. When you play for a club like Sheffield Wednesday there are big expectations. We play in front of big crowds and as a footballer that is something you should want to do. If the pressure affects the players it is something they have to deal with.”

Weaver was the saviour in the 43rd minute conjuring up a one-handed save to foil Njogu Demba-Nyren. The County striker went close again with a header from six yards, scooped clear by Weaver who then produced more heroics sticking out a foot to foil Demba-Nyren.

Megson said: “The performance was insipid. I don’t think there is a pressure from the fans at home. If you sign a contract with Sheffield Wednesday it means you are playing in a big stadium.”

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Sheffield Wednesday: Weaver: M Morrison, R Johnson, Beevers, Spurr; Sedgwick (Jones, 46), Miller, Osbourne (O’Connor, 68), Teale, C Morrison, Mellor (J Johnson, 46). Unused substitutes: O’Donnell, H effernan, Coke, Potter.

Notts County: Nelson; Darby, Edwards, Lee, Harley; Clifford, Bishop, McDonald (Spicer, 86), Sproule (Chilvers, 93), Gow (Brandy, 86); Demba. Unused substitutes: Burch, Sodje, Williamson, Hollis.

Referee: Mark Brown (East Yorkshire)

Man of the match: Nicky Weaver.