Match preview: Sheffield Wednesday (A)

20 January 2023

Fleetwood Town are set to travel to South Yorkshire to face Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in Sky Bet League One, and we have all the information you need to know ahead of the 3pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Sheffield Wednesday v Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 21 January 2023

Kick-off: 15:00

Venue: Hillsborough

FLEETWOOD TOWN

After a good start to 2023 with two wins, Town’s run came to an end after a narrow defeat to the hands of Oxford United last weekend. Fleetwood have been playing well lately and have the firepower in attack to trouble any team.

The end to the game against Oxford was tough to take, especially with Fleetwood not taking their chances but they will be hoping to turn their fortunes back around and return to winning ways against Darren Moore’s side to climb the table once more.

Town signed highly-rated Scottish midfielder, Scott Robertson on Friday ahead of the game, and if all is signed off, he will be ready to play a part in the match in Sheffield. Phoenix Patterson - who also joined the club in January - will be hoping to play a role.

If either Scott or Phoenix play at the weekend, they will become the 200th Fleetwood Town player to play in the EFL since the club joined back in 2012.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

Sitting just three points behind Plymouth atop of the table, Sheffield Wednesday come into the game in terrific form after winning their last five games, including the first fixture between the two sides back in December.

The hosts are in great vein, having not lost in the league since October, and are looking at promotion from the league. Scott Brown’s side will be looking to put a dent into that but with plenty of structure to Wednesday’s play with the formation Moore plays.

The home side boast a strong record at Hillsborough this season and with the players they have in their side, it’ll be a tough outing on Saturday for the Cods.

WHAT THE MANAGER HAD TO SAY REGARDING THE GAME

Fleetwood boss Brown spoke ahead of the clash and expressed his views on the game and this weekend’s opponents.

He said: “For us it’s about going and enjoying it but also work on what we’ve been doing all week.

“Structurally be sound behind the ball. We need to not get done by the crowd like we did early doors at Ipswich.

“We know we can go away from home and cause an upset; we’ve done that in the past, but Sheffield Wednesday are a very good team.”

Brown also talked about the man who’ll be across from him in the dugout and hailed his work with the South Yorkshire club.

He added: ““It’s good for the lads, going away to a historic club with great support.

“They’ve got a good manager in Darren as well, but we need to go there and be able to take the sting out the game.”

iFOLLOW DETAILS

On the day of the game, there will be two match-day packages available for our UK-based and overseas supporters:

Audio Match-Pass - £2.50 (U.K and Overseas)

Video Match-Pass - £10 (Overseas only)

Those who choose the Audio Match-Pass option will get access to just the commentary, which will be provided by our partners, BBC Radio Lancashire.

Season passes are available with audio passes for only £45 for the season, for all UK-based members of the Cod Army - CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR IFOLLOW PASS!

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Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: A first-half goal enough to sink Town at Hillsborough

21 January 2023

Fleetwood Town were defeated by Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in Sky Bet League One on Saturday afternoon.

A first-half goal from Marvin Johnson was the difference between the two sides as Town were defeated by a goal to nil.

The game began at a slow pace, both sides were trying to work each other out. Darren Moore’s Wednesday looked to get the ball out quickly, but Scott Brown’s men looked resolute in defence.

The first quarter-hour of the game only saw a couple of half chances; Promise Omochere saw his effort from the edge of the area blocked by a Wednesday defender, with Michael Smith going through on goal at the other end, but he failed to test Jay Lynch with his effort.

The deadlock was broken in the 16^th minute by the home side when Marvin Johnson got on the end of a cross from Josh Windass to stroke the ball home from close range.

There wasn’t too much to say from the first half, chances were few and far between but it’s safe to say the Owls’ first-half goal was the difference. The Cods were trying to play their game, but the playing surfaces had something to say about that.

Town’s defence was called into action with just nine minutes left of the first half. A cut-back by Lee Gregory with a shot by Windass was saved by Lynch, then blocked by Carl Johnston. After that, a further shot by Dominic Iorfa was parried clear by Fleetwood’s number 13.

Sheffield Wednesday started the second half well, piling the pressure on the Cods from the off and Town were struggling to create an opening. Although, Fleetwood did test the Owls’ defence with 61 minutes gone when Dawson had to be alert from a Danny Andrew free kick.

It was a quiet second half, similar to the first half there wasn’t too much in the way of chances, but Town did keep battling but the hosts were good at slowing the game down.

Wednesday did have a spell on the ball where twenty minutes from the end, Town could have been two down, but they defended well to weather a slightly promising-looking Owl’s storm.

Substitute Phoenix Patterson became Fleetwood’s 200th-ever EFL player when he was introduced, and he did his best to give Town a spark in proceedings.

In the final knockings, substitute Ged Garner had a chance to level the game after doing well to get through a barricade of Wednesday defenders, but his shot was stopped by Dawson. Moments later, Andrew and Paddy Lane had chances to equalise but both efforts were high and wide of the target.

Just as the game was winding down, in stoppage time, the Owls were awarded a penalty after a misjudged stretch by Lynch. Late drama prevailed as the penalty was then missed, but it was too late for Town, as it was defeat after a tough battle in South Yorkshire ended 1-0 for the hosts.

Owls XI: Dawson (GK), Palmer (C), Vaulks, Iorfa, Adeniran (Bakinson 85’), Gregory, Windass (Dele-Bashiru 85’), Famewo, Johnson, Smith (Paterson 68’), Hunt.

Unused subs: Stockdale, Brown, Wilks, Shipston.

Cods XI: Lynch (GK), Andrew, Wiredu (Lane 85’), Vela (C), Muskwe (Garner 65’), Warrington (Robertson 78’), Omochere, Hayes (Patterson 65’), Nsiala, Johnston, Earl.

Unused subs: McMullan (GK), Dolan, Holgate.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Support the red and white army this weekend at Hillsborough

19 January 2023

Fleetwood Town will make the trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday 21 January 2023 for a Sky Bet League One clash against Darren Moore's side.

TICKET NEWS

The Cod Army have been allocated seats in The Leppings Lane Stand, with prices as follows:

Adults: £24

Seniors (65+): £14

Under-21s: £14

Under-11s: £10

Under-5s: £5

Supporters can buy tickets ONLINE, or they can head down to the Ticket Office at Highbury to claim their seat, as well as book coach travel.

*Tickets will be available on the day of the game at the turnstiles with no price increase.

**It will be cash only for supporters who decide to buy at Hillsborough.

COACH TRAVEL

Coaches will be departing Highbury Stadium at 10am on the day of the game, costing only £5 for all Onward Card Holders and £15 for Non-Onward Card Holders. Please head down to the Ticket Office if you require any assistance.