Doncaster 2–0 Wednesday: an early deficit that proved too much

Owen Bailey scored twice in the opening 16 minutes as Doncaster condemned Wednesday to a second successive away defeat. A better second half brought no goal and no way back for the Owls.

Bailey struck after six minutes when Wednesday failed to clear a corner. Ten minutes later, he met Isaac Hutchinson’s low delivery to double the lead. Wednesday had barely settled before they were chasing two goals.

Henrik Pedersen had made five changes following the defeat at Notts County. Liam Palmer, Max Lowe, Billy Mitchell, Kieran Morrison and Ali Al-Hamadi came into the side, but the reshuffle brought no immediate improvement in the scoreline.

Mason Burstow replaced Jaden Heskey at half-time, and Wednesday began to trouble Tommy Simkin more regularly. Barry Bannan and Al-Hamadi were denied, while Burstow also found the Doncaster goalkeeper in his way.

Simkin’s saves kept the home side comfortable on the scoreboard. At the other end, Ashley Maynard-Brewer prevented Bailey completing a hat-trick and stopped Alfie May adding a late third.

Wednesday’s improvement after the interval came too late to make the difference. Doncaster had done their damage early, then had the goalkeeper to protect it. The Owls return to Hillsborough having taken no points and scored no goals across their two away trips.