Credit: Sheffield Wednesday Football Club

Sheffield Wednesday picked up a huge win in the South Yorkshire derby at Barnsley on Saturday in their bid to avoid the drop. 

A first league victory under new boss, Darren Moore, ended an eight game winless run that had seen them go nine points adrift of safety. 

The defeat still leaves the Owls six points behind Birmingham in 21st place, however there were plenty of positives for them to take from their win at Oakwell against promotion hopefuls Barnsley. 

The visitors began on the back-foot, with in-form American striker Daryl Dike stretching their defence early on. 

The Tykes kept on the early pressure with a flurry of corners, targeting goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith who was struggling with the set pieces. Alex Mowatt’s deliveries almost paid dividends but Michael Sollbauer was unable to convert at the far post with the goal gaping.

That miss allowed the Owls to gain some composure and push up the pitch. Darren Moore’s side appeared to try and target Barnsley’s high-line, they almost broke the deadlock when a long ball allowed striker Jordan Rhodes to knock the ball past the Barnsley goalkeeper but his shot drifted wide of the near post. 

Another corner from Alex Mowatt then went into the back of the net after it was spilled by Wildsmith, but his blushes were spared as the referee adjudged him to have been impeded. Soon after at the other end, a well worked Sheffield Wednesday throw in allowed Barry Bannan to volley in a cross which was emphatically greeted with the head of Jordan Rhodes to fire past the goalkeeper to put Wednesday into the lead, 0-1. 

Just minutes into the second half the Owls doubled their advantage. Scottish international Liam Palmer dispossessed Callum Styles who was the last man, Josh Windass then galloped into the right side of the box before teeing up Rhodes to pass into an empty net, 0-2. 

For all of Barnsley’s recent goalscoring exploits they struggled to create any meaningful chances until the 78th minute, when substitute Carlton Morris’ deflected volley flew past Wildsmith to set up a nervy finish, 1-2. 

Despite this, Moore will have been delighted to see the way his side held out Barnsley for the remaining fifteen minutes to secure a crucial victory.

Both teams now have a couple of weeks off due to the international break, the Owls will return against the high-flying Watford. Barnsley will be back at Oakwell against fellow promotion hopefuls Reading.

The Owls boss reviews our win in the South Yorkshire derby #BARSHW

— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) March 20, 2021