Lowe off the bench to earn Swans a point at Wednesday
JAMAL Lowe’s second-half goal cancelled out Bailey Cadamarteri’s opener as Swansea drew 1-1 at Sheffield Wednesday on Good Friday.
The home side had several golden opportunities in the second half but a Swansea equaliser in the last quarter of an hour ensured the Owls remain in the relegation zone.
Wednesday boss Danny Rohl made four changes from the 6-0 demolition at Ipswich, with Pol Valentin, Akin Famewo, Liam Palmer and Cadamarteri joining the starting XI.
A late fifth change had to be made when Di’shon Bernard suffered an injury during the warm-up. Bambo Diaby took his place.
Swansea manager Luke Williams made a couple of switches to the side that claimed a 2-0 victory in the South Wales derby, with Josh Key coming in alongside Jay Fulton.
The home side had the first sight of goal, with Anthony Musaba heading wide within a minute of the start.
The Swans controlled the majority of play in the first half following that.
Przemyslaw Placheta stung the palms of Wednesday keeper James Beadle. Liam Cullen also had his header saved but a foul was given against the striker anyway.
The Owls had a huge chance to take the lead as two ex-cardiff men combined. Ike Ugbo squared for Will Vaulks but the midfielder scuffed his shot well wide.
Against the run of play, Wednesday did go ahead after 41 minutes. Diaby flicked on Vaulks’ free-kick from the right and Cadamarteri poked home on the stretch to give Wednesday the lead going into the break.
Beadle tipped over from Jamie Paterson’s volley from the edge of the box in the first chance of the second half. Matt Grimes then volleyed wide from a corner.
Substitute Djeidi Gassama came close to doubling Wednesday’s advantage after some good work on the right by Valentin but Carl Rushworth made a low save to keep him out.
The home side came agonisingly close again as Ugbo hit the crossbar from close range.
Just as in the first half, a goal was scored against the run of play as the Owls were made to pay for not taking their chances.
Harry Darling’s header from a corner fell at the feet of substitute Lowe.
The striker could not miss as Wednesday’s appeals for handball were waved away and Swansea were level in the 76th minute.
Valentin had a glorious chance to put Wednesday back in front but the winger dragged his shot wide. In added time, Rushworth stayed alert to saved Vaulks’ deflected effort.
The Owls remain in 23rd and stay in the bottom three on goal difference.
Sheff Wed: Beadle, Bambo Diaby, Ihiekwe, Famewo, Valentin Vaulks, Palmer, Johnson, Ugbo, Cadamarteri, Musaba.
Subs: Dawson, Iorfa, Wilks, Bannan, Hendrick, Smith, James, Gassama Charles.
Swansea: Rushworth, Key, Darling, Wood, Tymon, Fulton Grimes, Ronald, Paterson, Placheta, Cullen.
Subs: Fisher, Allen Yates, Lowe, Patino, Cooper, Govea, Abdulai, Lissah.
Referee: Geoff Eltringham (Tyne & Wear)
JONATHAN Davies has identified Joe Roberts as a potential long-tern Wales replacement for George North.
North hung up his international boots two weeks ago in the final Six Nations match of 2024, where Wales unfortunately lost to Italy.
A formidable player on the wing in his heyday, North gradually converted into an outside centre as he entered his twilight years and cemented a strong partnership in midfield with Saracens 12 Nick Tompkins.
Now that the Provence-bound man has decided to call it a day, the immediate question is - who fills the role at 13?
‘Foxy’, as he is affectionately known, spoke with Six Nations Rugby about the tournament and was asked who he would like to see more of on the international stage.
“Joe Roberts, my team-mate at the Scarlets,” said Davies.
“With George North retiring from international rugby, that number 13 shirt is up for grabs. If he can get a run of games and find form, he could make that spot his and be successful in it.”
He will have to bide his time for more chances, however; the Scarlets announced earlier this week that Roberts is now injured until the 20242025 season, meaning that he will miss Wales’ summer tour of Australia.
It was revealed Roberts is set for an operation on his knee after picking up the injury against Benetton in Scarlets’ win last weekend.
Warren Gatland’s team will play two Tests against the Wallabies and another against provincial side Queensland Reds.
They will also have the task of facing South Africa at Twickenham in June, prior to the tour Down Under in July. Roberts will unfortunately be missing out on these matches.
Davies was also asked how he thinks Wales with fare on their summer tour.
“It’s going to be hard,” he said. “I think they have to decide what they want to be: if they’re going to go down this young route and expose these boys to the highest level and get them used to it, building for the next World Cup.
“Australia are in the same boat as well; you’ve got two teams in that transition period.
“It’ll be an interesting tour. I hope that we can be competitive. I want to see this Wales team be successful, so fingers crossed they can build on what they’ve learnt, and understand where they want to go.”
Due to injury it’s likely Roberts won’t be back in Test action until the autumn internationals, where he will be able to stake his claim for a Six Nations starting berth at outside centre.
Cardiff Rugby winger/centre Mason Grady has also been tipped to fill North’s role, but others have mentioned putting the 22-year-old on the inside channel instead to utilise his physical presence in the mould of a Jamie Roberts crash-ball 12.