Before a ball was kicked, I would have happily taken a draw at Hillsborough, but with 15 minutes remaining, and with Town two goals in front, this seemed like a missed opportunity. Time will tell whether this is a point gained, or two points lost.
They say, you should never give a two-goal lead away but we did! Wes Burns was decidedly poor today, and if he has any aspirations of getting to Qatar, he has to do an awful lot better than this! He gave away the foul that led to the first Wednesday goal, and then lost possession, which led to us handing a point back to the home side. He was in their penalty area, and then dawdled on the ball when intelligence tells you that you should sustain some pressure – either fall in the box – or perhaps steal a corner!
George Edmundson, who came back into the side at the expense of injured Cameron Burgess, instigated the first goal with a great solo run that took him to the very edge of the Wednesday penalty box, before playing an inch-perfect pass into the path of Kayden Jackson, who finished clinically. Town were in front after just 4 minutes. It was an excellent start for the Blues, and their huge travelling faithful!
The Owls were always a threat going forward, but throughout the first half in which they attacked with fervour, Town keeper Christian Walton had not had a save to make. The second half started scrappily which probably suited Town more, and on 71 minutes the Tractor Boys were two up when Iorfa bundled the ball into his own net under pressure from Jackson while attempting to clear, following a tempting cross.
That really should have been that but Town took their foot off the gas and allowed The Owls back into the game by conceding a needless free-kick on the edge of their box. Johnson crossed and Byers slammed the ball into the roof of the net at the far post.
Many of the home faithful had already left the stadium when that goal went in, but they probably regret not seeing their team draw level on 89 minutes, when James crossed from the left and Smith got his head to the ball from close range to deny Town all three points. It looked clearly offside, but there is no VAR at this level and the goal stood. The good news is that Town remain top as Portsmouth could only draw with Plymouth, who are our next opponents, and we are still undefeated after nine!
Sheffield Wednesday: Stockdale, Palmer, Iorfa (Mighten 71), Ihiekwe, James, Johnson, Byers, Bannan (captain), Dele-Bashiru (Gregory 57), Windass, Smith. Unused substitutes: Dawson, Vaulks, Bakinson, Wilks, Paterson.
Ipswich Town: Walton; Donacien, Woolfenden, Edmundson, Davis (Leigh 55); Morsy (captain), Evans; Chaplin (Harness 69); Burns, John-Jules (Ladapo 68), Jackson (Keogh 81). Unused Substitutes: Hladky, Ball, Ahadme
The referee was Peter Wright.
Attendance: 26,281
