Stevie May the hero at Hillsborough as Sheffield Wednesday win 2-1

Stevie May (getty images)

Scottish striker Stevie May’s brace brought an end to Sheffield Wednesday’s twelve game losing streak as the Owls ran out 2-1 winners over Wigan Athletic at Hillsborough.

The early chances fell to Sheffield Wednesday as ex-Real Madrid man Royston Drenthe attacked down the left, faked past the defender and floated a cross in only for Atdhe Nuhiuto to head over the bar, Nuhui looked void of confidence in the early stages.

A rare attack from Jose Semedo, who has only ever scored once for Wednesday, came closest as his shot rattled the post and forced a save on the second attempt from Wigan keeper’ Scott Carson.

On the 26th minute Wigan took the lead with a powerful header from Chris McCann from a James McClean corner. McCann lost his man and took his opportunity at a free header and put his team up by one.

Malky Mackay’s team’s celebrations were short lived as Wednesday immediately pegged them back within a minute, with Stevie May’s first goal of the day. Nuhiu jostled for possession and managed to get the ball to May who was all alone and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Chances came and went for Wigan with McClean and Marc-Antoine Fortune both failing to convert their chances. Jeremy Helan continued to impress for the Owls, powering down the wing, forcing a fantastic save from Carson.
Wigan came out of the gates quickly in the second half, helped by a lacklustre 15 minutes from Wednesday. McClean’s header was blocked on the line by Lewis McGugan, shortly followed by Chris McCann’s half-hearted attempt at a volley.

With 20,069 in attendance at Hillsborough, the home team secured the crucial winning game against the run of play in the 71st minute.

Helan took off on a mazy run down the left flank, his shot was blocked and came out to Chris Maguire who lofted the ball back into the box, Stevie May met the ball with a looping header. Suspense around the stadium as the ball hit the post, trickled across the goal line, hitting the other post. The assistant referee signalled the goal and Hillsborough erupted.

The Scottish forward was denied his hat-trick as a last ditch challenge stopped May when he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Manager Stuart Gray spoke about May after the game: “His job is scoring goals, I thought he was very calm and collected.”

“The crowd will always be with you if you tick every box. The win has been a long time coming, no wins in 10, now we are unbeaten in 4.”