Seventeen-year-old striker Will Grainger was the one bright spot on a day that saw Wednesday sign off our away campaign with a tired-looking 4-1 defeat in the Oxford sunshine this afternoon.
Grainger came on as a substitute on 66 minutes and six minutes later he was on the scoresheet with his first-ever goal for the first team, curling a super effort into the top corner from just inside the penalty area to reduce the arrears to 3-1 at that stage.
Added to that, the youngster showed just the appetite and determination which has often been lacking in our final third this season, sending another dangerous effort off-target, seeing a further shot blocked and not being afraid to compete strongly in a cameo appearance of high promise.
Sadly, Grainger’s display was just about the only memory the fans in the sold out Owls section of the ground will take home, with the match at Middlesbrough on Wednesday evening undoubtedly playing a part in a largely poor all-round team performance.
We found ourselves two-down at half time and it could easily have been worse.
Oxford looked much the sharper side from the first minute and it was no surprise when they took the lead after just five minutes, Will Lankshear losing his marker at the near post and converting a low cross with a clever flick.
Nathaniel Chalobah then cleared off the line but it was 2-0 on 27 minutes, Lankshear cutting inside Dominic Iorfa and curling an excellent 25-yarder past Pierce Charles.
In rare Wednesday attacks, Tayo Adamarola tested keeper Jamie Cumming on 36 minutes and then Charlie McNeill turned smartly on the edge of the box but the striker’s effort came back off the post.
And, just before half time Charles was in action again, denying Lankshear a first-half hat-trick with a diving save.
Wednesday looked more up for the challenge at the start of the second half and Jerry Yates had a goal ruled out for a foul on Cumming but hopes of a comeback were ended on 66 minutes when ex-Owl Will Vaulks volleyed home in spectacular fashion from 12 yards to make it 3-0.
Grainger then took centre stage with his classy finish to reduce the arrears, only for Wednesday to concede again within 90 seconds, Myles Peart-Harris turning home a low cross to end the scoring at 4-1.
All that was left was for youngster Grainger to take the well-earned applause of the travelling Wednesdayites at the end of the 90 minutes.
Charles, Fusire (Maltby 46), Palmer, Iorfa, M Lowe (Moses 90+1), Adaramola, Heskey, Chalobah (Thornton 77), McNeill (Grainger 65), J Lowe, Yates (Kobacki 77). Unused subs: Cooper, Emery, McGhee, Nakamba.
