Sheffield Wednesday cruised to a 5-0 win against AFC Wimbledon at Hillsborough, extending their unbeaten run to 7 league games.
In a dominant performance, the Owls scored 3 goals in a 7 minute spell on the edge of half-time as Barry Bannan, Davis Keillor-Dunn and Harry Gray found the net. Callum Slattery added a fourth after the break, and Keillor-Dunn completed his brace to round off the scoring.
Henrik Pedersen’s side began the afternoon 8th in League One, with the victory propelling them to 6th place. With a game in hand, Wednesday could climb to the top of the league with another win. The Owls were looking to respond following three consecutive draws, and they did so in emphatic fashion.
The visitors at Hillsborough were looking to bounce back after a 2-1 stoppage time defeat away to Plymouth Argyle, which halted their four game unbeaten run. Wimbledon also came into the game with only one away win this season, with that victory also being the only away game they’d kept a clean sheet in.
Before kick-off, it was announced that Wednesday’s starting goalkeeper Joe Lumley would be missing out due to a rib injury, as Ashley Maynard-Brewer deputised in between the sticks.
Wimbledon’s poor form continued as Sheffield Wednesday dominated proceedings from the outset. While the Owls controlled possession, they struggled to create clear cut chances against Wimbledon’s stern defence.
The Dons’ best chance of the half came as Aron Sasu slipped past Wednesday’s defence before sending his effort wide of the far post. They tried to trouble Wednesday’s defence with long balls to Jayden Stockley, however he struggled to provide an effective outlet as Wimbledon didn’t retain much possession or manage a shot on target.
However, Wednesday eventually broke the deadlock as captain Barry Bannan scored on 37 minutes. Bannan exchanged a neat one-two with Keillor-Dunn, who slipped the Scotsman into the box. Despite Josef Bursik stretching out an arm, Bannan managed to open his account for the season.
Just two minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage after a looping header from Wimbledon’s Steven Sessegnon fell into the path of Andy Yiadom, whose poor touch led the ball into the path of Keillor-Dunn. Wednesday’s winger was able to capitalise on the mistake, and drove forward on the break before slotting the ball into the net to turn from provider to goalscorer.
The scoring didn’t finish there, as Jamal Lowe was played in behind the Wimbledon defence before crossing it to the middle of the box. Harry Gray was waiting on the left and took a touch before firing it into the net just on the stroke of half-time.
After half-time, a free kick from Wimbledon’s Ibrahim Hippolyte narrowly cleared the crossbar, but the visitors’ slim hopes of a comeback were put to bed a few minutes later.
Reece James whipped in a cross from the left flank, finding Slattery unmarked in the penalty area. The midfielder met the ball with a first-time volley, leaving Bursik rooted to the spot to make it 4-0 on 56 minutes.
While Wimbledon continued with their direct approach, they struggled to create from open play, with their closest threat to goal being from set pieces.
However, the hosts added their fifth and final goal in the 85th minute. Morrison drove forward into open space before finding Keillor-Dunn on the left, who slotted the ball past Bursik to complete his brace.
Wednesday continued to threaten after Keillor-Dunn’s goal, with Morrison sending the ball over the bar after cutting inside on 88 minutes. In stoppage time, Bursik gifted Morrison another opportunity after throwing the ball right to him, however the winger blazed the ball over the bar.
The Owls’ victory also saw Max Lowe welcomed back from his hamstring injury as a second-half substitute, alongside ex-Wimbledon striker Ali Al-Hamadi who featured following his recovery from an ankle injury.
A commanding victory provides Wednesday with a big momentum boost as they travel to face struggling Notts County on Tuesday, while Wimbledon will aim to get back on track as they’re set to host Mansfield Town.
Image Credits: Sheffield Wednesday FC Instagram
