Sheffield Wednesday secured progression in the Jersey Mike's Trophy with a 2-0 victory over Sunderland Under-21s at Hillsborough on Tuesday night. The win, which came via goals from Jaden Heskey and Barry Bannan, maintains the club's positive momentum ahead of a key League One fixture this weekend.
Heskey opened the scoring in the 21st minute. The chance came after Sean Fusire intercepted a misplaced pass and delivered a low cross that the young forward turned home. Barry Bannan sealed the victory ten minutes from time, firing home from inside the penalty area after a break of the ball fell kindly to him, assisted by Samuel Duruh.
Manager Henrik Pedersen made six changes to the side that won at Salford City a fortnight ago, deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation. At half-time, with the lead established, he introduced four fresh faces including Bannan and Jamal Lowe. The changes helped Wednesday control the second half, with Lowe coming close to adding a second goal only to be denied by Sunderland goalkeeper Joe Cowan. The visitors saw a potential equaliser ruled out for offside.
Henrik Pedersen said his decision to "shuffle his pack at half-time, making four changes, bringing on Denny Oliver, Jamal Lowe, James and Bannan" was a key factor in managing the game. The result leaves Sheffield Wednesday fourth in League One with 14 points from seven games, just two points off the top of the table. Their next challenge is a league trip to face third-placed Huddersfield on Saturday.
Speaking on October 8, manager Henrik Pedersen outlined the importance of the Jersey Mike's Trophy for youth development. "It's very important that we also integrate the young players to get game minutes in the first team," Pedersen said. He confirmed the competition is a platform to promote academy players, having started Joel Akpobi for a second straight game and handed Denny Oliver a debut. The club, fourth in League One with 14 points, progressed from the group stage with Tuesday's 2-0 win.
Speaking on October 8, manager Henrik Pedersen confirmed a planned friendly with Derby County was cancelled last week. The club, fourth in League One with 14 points, instead staged an internal match. Pedersen said the cancellation influenced his team selection for the 2-0 Trophy win over Sunderland U21s. "It is a long time since we had game practice," Pedersen said. He stated the game was important for senior players to regain sharpness ahead of the weekend trip to Huddersfield Town.
