Steve Morison’s second half strike saw Leeds leave Hillsborough with all 3 points in Saturday’s early kick off.
The owls took a first half lead through Chris Maguire’s penalty after a foul by Sam Byram. Leeds pulled level after Charlie Taylor latched onto a loose ball from 6 yards out, and Steve Morison put Leeds ahead after his 1 on 1 effort left him with an empty net to score from close range.
Leeds started the better out of the two sides, looking to end a run of 5 straight defeats before today’s game. Alex Mowatt came close to scoring in the opening minutes but his effort from close range was tipped around the post by Keiren Westwood. Luke Murphy and Mowatt again had chances to put Leeds ahead but failed to convert. Sheffield Wednesday then began to apply pressure, Sol Bamba in the right place to clear Jacques Maghoma’s cut back from the six yard box and Lloyd Isgrove saw his effort go wide of Stuart Taylor’s post.
Both sides pushed for the lead, with Alex Mowatt looking the most likely for Leeds with chances from set pieces. It was Wednesday however, who got the best chance of the half. A Sam Byram foul on Lloyd Isgrove at the top of the box resulted in the ref pointing to the spot, the foul itself was a very close call on whether it was inside or out, and referee Robert Madley took his time before awarding the decision. Chris Maguire stepped up and sent Stuart Taylor the wrong way to give the Owls a 1-0 advantage. Byram avoided anything for the original foul but Sol Bamba went into the referee’s book for dissent following the decision. There was little chance for the score to change following the goal and Wednesday went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Leeds came out in the second half a much better side, with the Whites earning a fair few free kicks early on. It was a free kick that led to the equaliser after Jose Semedo was penalised for holding Sol Bamba just outside the area. This time it was Luke Murphy’s turn to take, and his driven free kick hit the wall but found a way through, Steve Morison scrambled the ball forward and Charlie Taylor forced the ball in from close range in the 57th minute. Leeds then pushed for the go ahead goal, and Wednesday provided little chances to suggest they would retake the lead. Billy Sharp was introduced by Redfearn for Mowatt and looked lively.
Shortly after it was Leeds who took the lead. Sam Byram playing in Steve Morison 1-on-1 with Westwood. His first effort was saved but Morison gathered the rebound and hit it low into the net from the side of the 6 yard box, the Welsh striker’s 2nd goal in as many games. Following the goal Wednesday provided little chance to equalise, with the Hillborough crowd becoming increasing frustrated with their sides efforts. Rodolph Austin had a great chance to secure the points with just minutes remaining, but his driving run and cutting the ball back in the box went behind the waiting Morison and Taylor and Leeds failed to convert.
The full time whistle gave Leeds their first win in their last six and moved them up to 15th in the league. Wednesday remain in 14th and will push for a place in the top half in their final game against Watford.
Leeds boss Neil Redfearn – “This result has been coming in the last two or three games. I’m pleased for the lads because they’ve shown a real spirit. It was a very good performance. I thought we were the better side despite going 1-0 down. Credit to the lads because I thought their application and understanding of how to play in this match and on this pitch was spot on.”
Owls manager Stuart Gray – “It’s disappointing because we had our noses in front but couldn’t build on the Chris Maguire penalty. I’m disappointed for the supporters as well because we had around 24,000 in there today. I put two forwards on and we were chasing the game but it wasn’t our day.”
