Sheffield Wednesday 2 Rochdale 0: Prutton scores on Owls debut

Defender Julian Bennett and midfielders David Prutton and Jose Semedo made their debuts for the Owls who are desperately short of attacking options following summer departures and the loss of Jermaine Johnson for the next fortnight with a knee injury.

Teenager Liam Palmer deputised for Johnson on the flank with Clinton Morrison and Gary Madine in attack. Dale included Owls’ target Chris O’Grady as a substitute.

Rochdale’s Nicky Adams saw his shot deflected narrowly wide inside the first 10 minutes, while at the other end Gary Madine just failed to latch onto David Prutton’s pass through the heart of the visitors’ defence.

Wednesday took the lead after 16 minutes. Julian Bennett’s long throw found centre-half Rob Jones and his header was too powerful for Rochdale goalkeeper Jake Kean who failed to stop the ball crossing the line.

Wednesday doubled their lead on 71 minutes. Another long throw caused chaos, Jones came close to a second goal, but when the ball came out to David Prutton he hammered home from the edge of the penalty area.

Follow the action through Match Centre, and for full match reports and analysis read Sports Monday inside Monday’s Yorkshire Post.