Barnsley came from behind to claim a share of the spoils in a pulsating South Yorkshire Derby at Oakwell on Saturday afternoon.
First half strikes from Josh Windass and Cauley Woodrow ensured both sides took a point from a game that the Reds perhaps deserved to win on the balance of play.
After a cagey opening, it was Wednesday who took the lead after quarter of an hour as Windass latched onto a ricocheted clearance to slam home at the near post.
The Reds weren’t behind for long, however, as Cameron Dawson – under pressure from the diminutive Elliot Simoes – scuffed his clearance straight to Woodrow, who made no mistake from over 30-yards by sidefooting into an empty net.
Conor Chaplin then had a chance to put Barnsley ahead when he picked up Michael Sollbauer’s knockdown before swivelling and shooting down the throat of Dawson.
It was Jacob Brown’s turn to come close next, as he took aim from the edge of the box but curled a shot narrowly wide of the far post.
Moments later, the Reds’ forward burst into the box from the right flank and looked certain to score, but Dawson spread himself well to turn it behind for a corner.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 1-1 Wednesday
Wednesday came out brightly after the interval and had an opportunity to score through a goalmouth scramble, but Clarke Oduor was able to block and prevent an attempt on target.
After weathering a storm, Barnsley enjoyed a sustained period of possession, and both Brown and Chaplin fired dangerous low crosses into the box that Dawson gathered well.
The Owls also looked dangerous, however, and Windass floated a fine ball to the far post, but Alessio Da Cruz was unable to divert his effort goalwards.
It was an end-to-end contest, and, following intricate work from substitute Callum Styles, Jordan Williams flashed a ball across the box but Simoes couldn’t get enough purchase to steer home from close range.
Styles was involved again just minutes later as Woodrow expertly took down a Brad Collins clearance before laying it off for his teammate, but the midfielder’s long-range effort was straight at Dawson.
Barnsley continued to create chances, and Oduor found Williams with a beautiful cross, but the Reds’ full-back saw his goalbound effort blocked by a scrambling defender.
A combination of Oduor, Collins and Mads Andersen then denied Owls substitute Jacob Murphy from scoring what looked certain to be a late winner with just two minutes remaining.
The visitors had the final chance of the game as skipper Tom Lees fired over from point blank range, but the Reds held on to claim a much-needed point.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 1-1 Wednesday
REDS XI: Collins (GK), J Williams, Sollbauer, Andersen, Oduor, Mowatt (c), Simoes (Schmidt,83), Thomas (Styles, 62), Woodrow, Brown, Chaplin (Bähre, 68).
Not used: Walton (GK), Ludewig, Halme, Dougall.
OWLS XI: Dawson (GK), Palmer, Pelupessy (Lee, 66), Bannan, Börner, Lees (c), Wickham (Nuhiu, 80), Iorfa, Da Cruz, Forestieri (Murphy, 70), Windass.
Not used: Wildsmith (GK), Harris, Hunt, Urhoghide.
