Sheffield Wednesday’s superior finishing was the difference against a battling Harrogate Town side who were down to ten men after 67 minutes.
The game began with a flurry of chances at either end. Harrogate started the brighter of the two teams, forcing Wednesday goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith into making a series of saves.
Despite the bright start for the visitors, Owls’ midfielder Massimo Luongo struck the post on his return from injury with a low-driven effort from 18 yards. It was an early warning sign for the Harrogate defence.
The deadlock was broken after seventeen minutes with a composed tap in from Burundi international Saido Berahino, the striker’s second goal this season after his much-hyped summer transfer.
The first half came to an end with a succession of Harrogate attacks as they laid siege on the young Wednesday back line. A lack of quality finishing from the visitors meant Wednesday took the half-time advantage.
The second half opening exchanges were almost identical to the first half, with Harrogate starting like a team with a point to prove. Just after the break, Harrogate’s Jack Diamond produced a venomous strike at the end of a mazy run past two Wednesday players. He was Harrogate’s best player on the night and one to watch.
Against the run of play, Wednesday exploited the gaps left by the Harrogate defence when George Byers rose highest in the penalty area to score an accurate header and double the hosts’ advantage.
Both sides are separated by a division and the gap in quality became apparent as the game progressed. Sylla Sow struck a third goal from a clinical driven effort after creating space for himself inside the busy penalty area to put the game beyond reach for the visitors.
Wednesday added to the visitors’ misery in the 67th minute after a desperate lunge from Connor Hall brought down Korede Adedoyin inside the penalty area. Referee Trevor Kettle pointed to the spot without hesitation, dismissing Hall for the prevention of a goal scoring opportunity.
Adedoyin converted a confident penalty into the bottom left-hand corner, sending goalkeeper Mark Oxley the opposite direction.
At 4-0 the outcome of the match had been decided. The end of the game resembled a keep ball exercise as both sides counted down to the final whistle at Hillsborough.
Both sides progressed to the next round of the Papa John’s Trophy, with Wednesday going through as group winners after a clinical performance. The Owls return to league action against Gillingham at home this Saturday.
Sheffield Wednesday: Wildsmith; Brown, Agbontohoma, Brennan, Hunt; Byers (Adeniran 73’), Luongo (Dele-Bashiru 72’); Shodipo, Berahino (Adedoyin 61’), Waldock; Sow. Subs not used: Render, Corbeanu, Paterson, Wing,
Harrogate Town: Oxley; Page, Hall, Burrell, Fallowfield; Diamond (Thomson 73’), Falkingham, Pattison, Power; Orsi (Smith 74’), Muldoon (Martin 8’). Subs not used: Cracknell, Williams, Wilson.
Referee: Trevor Kettle
Goals: Sheffield Wednesday: Berahino 17’, Byers 57’, Sow 60’, Adedoyin 68’..
Bookings: Sheffield Wednesday: Brown 20’, Byers 45’.’
Oxford United: Hall sent off 67’
HT: 1 – 0.
FT: 4 – 0.
Attendance: 5,433
