Wednesday out to break defensive record at Molineux

For the Owls have equalled a club record of 17 clean sheets in a single season, after their 3-0 win over Cardiff City on Saturday.

The record was set by Jack Charlton’s team in the 1978-79 season, then equalled last season.

Now Wednesday want to go one better when they travel to Molineux for the final game of the regular season, before the play-offs commence.

“We have a fantastic balance between scoring goals and keeping clean sheets,” said owls head coach Carlos Carvalhal.

“This is something we appreciate because it is a balance within the team. We are not taking goals but we are scoring goals.

“We’re not a team that doesn’t take goals because we play defensive, no. Our team is very balanced and there is a very good distribution of goals in the team.”

Owls midfielder Barry Bannan says it was a great honour to be named the PFA Championship Team of the Year,

Bannan has been one of Wednesday’s key performers this season, and was voted into the team by his fellow players.

“It’s great when you’re getting recognised by the players you are playing against week in, week out,” he said.

“It gives you that buzz but it could have been any of the boys in our team as well.

“Luckily it was me but it’s good to know that the other players you play against admire the way you play.”

Danny Rowe gave AFC Fylde a slender advantage over Harrogate Town in a pulsating National League North play-off first leg at the CNG Stadium.

The league’s topscorer fired home the only goal after breaching the home defence eight minutes into the second half. It could have been far worse for Town had goalkeeper Peter Crook not made a number of high quality saves to thwart the Coasters.

Paul Clayton had Town’s best opportunity in the opening seconds as his volley was blocked from point-blank range.

The two teams will meet again on the west coast on Sunday.

In the other semi-final, Boston United claimed a 2-0 win over North Ferriby United.

Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele looks set to be handed a lengthy ban after being charged by the Football Association for an alleged act of violent conduct against Chelsea forward Diego Costa. Both clubs have also been charged by the FA for failing to control their players.