Morrison's double act adds gloss to Sheffield Wednesday triumph

The Owls yesterday negotiated a potentially tricky tie at Conference side Southport with a resounding victory that included two goals for Clinton Morrison.

Gary Teale, Tommy Spurr and Neil Mellor also got on the scoresheet to ensure a comfortable passage to the next stage, where Wednesday will host Northampton Town.

Delighted Irvine said: "Something like 12 or 13 teams from our division either lost or drew against teams from the lower leagues on Saturday.

"I was at Rochdale on Friday night (when FC United stunned the League One club with a 3-2 win), while on Saturday my staff were at Darlington, Fleetwood and Bury.

"In those games, there were three wins and one draw for the teams from the lower division.

"There was also Brighton, who have been doing absolutely brilliantly in our league but were held at home by Woking.

"With the exception of the Sheffield Wednesday fans, everyone was hoping to see us lose.

"It was always going to be a tough, tough game so it was important we were right up for it.

"The lads certainly were. Right from the start, there was a snap about how we went about things when we didn't have possession."

Yesterday's win at Haig Avenue means Wednesday are the only Yorkshire club definitely through to the second round with York City, Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town all needing to negotiate replays to join Irvine's men.

With League Two Northampton awaiting the Owls later this month, fans are already dreaming of a possible glamour third-round tie against Premier League opposition.

Irvine, however, will not allow the Hillsborough players' minds to wander that far into the future with the Owls manager pointing to the Cobblers' League Cup heroics earlier this season as justification for exercising caution.

He said: "First of all, we have to play a team who went to Anfield and won. We have to be conscious of that.

"Yes, they are from a lower division but there will be shocks in the next round and we have to make sure we go about our jobs properly to make sure we are not one of them.

"If we get through that, we will see what the next round brings. But it doesn't necessarily mean we will get a money-spinner."

Irvine's caution could also have something to do with Wednesday's shocking recent record in the FA Cup.

Even after yesterday's win, they have only beaten two teams in the competition since 2001 – and both of those were part-time opposition, Salisbury being the other side to fall victim to the Owls seven years ago.

In terms of their prospects in League One, perhaps the most notable aspect of the triumph over Southport was the welcome return to form of striker Morrison.

The former Republic of Ireland international doubled his goals tally for the season to four with his two strikes on Merseyside.

Morrison also weighed in with assists for the goals by Teale and Mellor to leave manager Irvine delighted.

The Owls chief said: "Clinton came in during the summer behind everyone in terms of fitness and anyone who misses pre-season will be able to tell you that it is difficult to get that fitness back.

"It means you are always playing catch-up.

"Getting the two goals was great for Clinton. I would have liked to leave him on to get a hat-trick.

"But you probably saw with 15 minutes to go that he was starting to stretch his calf.

"There was a risk of him being injured so we brought him off."

Wednesday's win, at least, ensured a happy ending to what had otherwise been a largely disappointing weekend for Yorkshire in the Cup.

On Saturday, York's battling draw against Rotherham was the most notable performance by a side from the White Rose county.

Gary Mills's men will look to finish the job by beating the Millers at Bootham Crescent a week on Wednesday.

The two Yorkshire clubs were joined in yesterday's draw by Huddersfield Town, who ground out a goalless draw at Cambridge United.

Manager Lee Clark's side, fresh from last week's impressive derby win at Hillsborough, had been expected to beat the Conference side at the Abbey Stadium but had to settle for a replay.

The Town manager said: "I am happy to still be in the hat. But I was very disappointed with our quality on the ball and the technical side of the game, such as crossing and our tempo."

Elsewhere, Conference North outfit Guiseley's hopes of a first appearance in the second round were killed off by a 5-0 defeat at home to Crawley Town.

Big spenders Crawley swept aside Steve Kittrick's side as a Nethermoor crowd of 1,609 saw Guiseley's FA Cup first-round failures were extended to five, conceding 20 goals and scoring just once in the process.

Bradford City also crashed out, though they did so after making League One promotion hopefuls Colchester United fight all the way before claiming a 4-3 victory.

City manager Peter Taylor felt a controversial penalty decision was instrumental in his side's defeat.

Luke Oliver was adjudged to have fouled Matt Heath, David Mooney converting the spot-kick for what ultimately proved to be the decisive fourth goal for the home side.

Taylor lamented: "I'm a little bit surprised by the decision and so is Luke Oliver but that's the way it goes."