Sheff Wed 1-0 Crewe

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Terry Yorath's side claimed a deserved victory at Hillsborough today thanks to a Gerald Sibon goal on the stroke of half-time.

It was no more than Wednesday deserved as they dominated large portions of the game without adding the second killer goal.

It was the Owls' first victory in seven league games and will raise their confidence as they travel to face Crewe on Tuesday in the FA Cup.

The first half was largely dominated in midfield but the impressive Matthew Hamshaw looked like he could create the spark needed to break the deadlock.

Twice before the goal came, his driving runs through midfield had caused Crewe's defence no end of problems but unfortunately the final product was lacking.

The goal finally came a minute before half-time when Efan Ekoku picked up the ball in midfield and fed new signing Shefki Kuqi on the right wing and his cross was met by Sibon whose first-time volley hammered into the roof of the net from eight yards.

Ekoku miss

The second half started the way the first ended with Wednesday pressing and Hamshaw at the heart of everything Wednesday created.

The next chance fell to Ekoku who chested down Sibon's cross but as he was about to shoot, the impressive Efe Sodje managed a last-ditch tackle to deny him.

It was Derek Geary who was next to test Alex goalkeeper Clayton Ince after he received a pass from Steven Haslam.

As Wednesday continued to press, Ekoku also had an effort saved by Ince after being put through by the lively Hamshaw.

The only way that Crewe looked like scoring was through a Wednesday error and it almost came when Marlon Broomes' header back to goalkeeper Kevin Pressman was short and allowed Rodney Jack through on goal.

However, Pressman was alert to the danger and rushed from his line to deny Crewe a chance of gaining a point.

Crewe boss Dario Gradi will want a much improved performance when the Railwaymen face Wednesday again in midweek.

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Sheff Wed: Pressman, Hinchcliffe, Geary, Bromby, Westwood, Sibon, Haslam, Hamshaw, Quinn, Ekoku, Kuqi. Subs: Stringer, Bonvin, Broomes, Crane, Maddix.

Crewe: Ince, Wright, Smith, Foster, Sodje, Vaughan, Lunt, Sorvel, Thomas, Hulse, Ashton. Subs: Bankole, Tait, Jack, Walker, Rix.

Referee: M Cooper (Walsall)