Source: FOOTYMAD
Owls out to avoid a cup calamity
Southport slip up would be a shocker for Sheffield Wednesday Non-league Merseysiders Southport host Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday lunchtime in the first round of the F.A. Cup, hoping to heap more pressure on the stuttering League One side. Wednesday are on virtually a hiding to nothing in front of the live ITV cameras this weekend as a comfortable win would be no more than what would be expected of a club over 40 places above their opponents in the league ladder whilst any other result, with due respect to Southport, could be embarrassing for all concerned. Jamaican winger Jermaine Johnson has been sidelined yet again after hobbling out of his first start of the season against Huddersfield in midweek. Tommy Miller could return having missed out on Tuesday’s fixture with a minor injury and right-back Jon Otsemobor is available again having completed a 3-match suspension. Alan Irvine could make changes in midfield and up front following back to back defeats. Darren Potter was withdrawn along with Marcus Tudgay at half-time in the last game and they may find their starting places under threat. The Owls have scored just once in three games and so a shake up of the first eleven may be in order. Having seen FC United of Manchester dump Rochdale out of the cup on Friday evening Southport will be hoping they can pull off another high profile upset. The home side will be without first choice goalkeeper Tony McMillan, who is suspended following a red card in a recent 2-2 draw with Kidderminster in the Blue Square Premier League. Veteran Steve Dickinson is expected to deputise. Striker Matt McGinn has been receiving treatment for a minor calf injury during the week but is expected to overcome this in time to take his place in the side. Other than that manager Liam Watson has a fully fit squad to choose from. Wednesday come into the match with their form suffering a wobble. Two straight defeats against Charlton and Huddersfield respectively has seen the Owls drop out of the play-off place in League One and they failed to score in both games. Southport are on a slightly better run as they are undefeated in their last three matches. The Sandgrounders knocked beat Wrexham 2-1 away to reach this stage of the competition. There is no previous history of this fixture to draw reference to as the two clubs have never faced each other before in any competition.
