Sheffield Wednesday were held to a 1-1 draw by Cambridge United at Hillsborough on Tuesday evening. The result leaves Matt Hamshaw's side eighth in the League One table with 18 points from 11 games, a record of five wins, three draws and three losses. They are seven points behind leaders Huddersfield Town and five points off the automatic promotion places.
Mason Burstow opened the scoring for the Owls in the 49th minute, finishing a clever quick free-kick from Callum Slattery. The visitors, who were unbeaten on the road this season, levelled in the 67th minute when substitute Shayne Lavery set up Sullay Kaikai for a powerful long-range strike. This draw followed a 2-0 loss at Doncaster on Saturday 24 October, where Owen Bailey scored twice for the hosts.
Match action
The first half saw few clear chances, with Slattery forcing a save from Cambridge goalkeeper Jake Eastwood from distance. The game sparked to life just after the restart. Slattery's inventive set-piece released Burstow, who drove forward and fired a low shot in off the post.
Wednesday pushed for a second, with Barry Bannan seeing a 20-yard curler clip the woodwork. Cambridge's equaliser came against the run of play, with Kaikai's left-footed drive finding the net. The visitors then had chances to win it, with Lavery denied by Ashley Maynard-Brewer and a late goalmouth scramble somehow kept out by a mass of Wednesday defenders. Owls manager Matt Hamshaw was booked for his protests following a challenge on his captain, Barry Bannan.
Context and next steps
The point ends a run of two consecutive league defeats for Wednesday, whose recent form reads one win, two draws and two losses from their last five matches. This sequence includes a 5-0 win over AFC Wimbledon on Saturday 17 October and a 2-2 draw with Huddersfield on Saturday 10 October. The club's top scorer this season is J. Lowe with five goals in 10 appearances. The team has scored 20 goals and conceded 12, giving them a goal difference of plus eight. A crowd of 30,701 watched the draw, continuing a strong run of home support.
Sheffield Wednesday now turn their attention to a home fixture against Blackpool this Sunday 1 November. The team will be looking to return to winning ways against a side currently 20th in the division.
Sheffield Wednesday defender Ernie Weaver reflected on his first league start in over a year following Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Cambridge United. The 20-year-old, who completed 90 minutes, posted on Instagram on Wednesday. "Under no illusions that that performance was anywhere near the levels it should be," Weaver said. He added it was "a night at Hillsborough I will struggle to forget." The result leaves Wednesday ninth in League One with 19 points from 12 games.
On October 29, caretaker manager Matt Hamshaw detailed Ernie Weaver's performance in his first league start of the season. Hamshaw said Weaver was "a bit shaky at the start of the night" but grew into the game. The manager also stated the club missed seniority in defense, with Liam Cooper absent and Sil Swinkels an unused substitute. The Star understands several National League clubs, including Boston United, are monitoring Weaver's availability. Sheffield Wednesday, ninth in League One with 19 points, have conceded 13 goals this season.
On October 29, interim boss Matt Hamshaw reflected on the 1-1 draw with Cambridge United. Hamshaw said the key word was "frustrating," adding he felt the first 10-15 minutes were not good enough. The manager stated his side showed a good reaction after conceding. The club, ninth in League One with 19 points, registered 19 shots in the match. Hamshaw said he wants to see more attacking intent.
