Marco’s out of cold to lift Jos
SHEFFIELD WED
MARCO MATIAS came in from the cold to set Jos Luhukay on his way to a winning home debut as Sheffield Wednesday boss in a Hillsborough blizzard.
The Portuguese striker has failed to live up to his £2m fee since arriving from Nacional three years ago – with injuries and poor form hampering his progress.
But he made the most of a rare start last night – only his second of the season – by latching on to Atdhe Nuhiu’s flick and lashing a shot high into the net just before the half-hour mark.
Nuhiu has also been on the fringes for much of the season but staked his claim for a regular role with a classy second 25 minutes from the end.
The Kosovo star cut in from the right past Gary Liddle and checked on to his left foot before steering a shot into the bottom corner to set up a fourth-round home tie against Reading.
Luhukay’s squad is ravaged by injuries and suspension at present and he made eight changes to the side who had drawn at Sheffield United on Friday.
They had a couple of early wobbles with Richie Bennett passing up two chances in the first 25 minutes for the League Two visitors.
He could not steer the ball in after a corner and then allowed keeper Cameron Dawson to smother.
Then the striker lost his balance after Reggie Lambe had sidefooted into his path and allowing debutant Owls defender Frederik Nielsen to clear.
Matias was denied a second by Jack Bonham’s feet after a one-two with Nuhiu before setting up George Boyd to steer a first-time shot straight at the Carlisle keeper.
He then narrowly failed to connect with a Morgan Fox cross – but Nuhiu’s second ended any doubt.