Lee Barnard finally scored to break the goal drought in the 60th minute after receiving a glorious through ball from Morgan Schneiderlin and drawing keeper Nicky Weaver out before slotting the ball past him and into the net.
The game started evenly with both teams showing an attacking instinct. There was very little between the two teams as both sides had good efforts well saved by the opposing keeper.
Saints began the game without the ever reliable Jose Fonte as he had taken a slight knock. This brought in Radhi Jaidi to the starting eleven.
The first half had chances from both sides with Chamberlain warming Weds keeper Weaver’s habnds as early as the first minute.
Soon after Saints came really close with Schneiderlin taking a short free kick to Barnard who laid the ball back for Puncheon to strike goalwards. Only a goal line header from Darren Purse keeping the ball out.
As the hosts came more into the game a Potter free kick from 25 yards fizzed past just wide of the post. Moments later a corner was met by a powerful O’Connor header which was well saved by our Kelvin Davis.
Chances continued to be made with Barnard just missing the ball as he slid in on a Lambert cross into the box with the goal beckoning.
In the 36th minute a mistake by Jaidi nearly gave Wednesday a goal as Neil Mellor smashed the loose ball goalwards only to find Davis saving impressively.
The resulting inswinging corner from Teale was also saved by the alert Davis as it swung towards the goal.
Dean Hammond was booked for another of his bad tackles and shortly after Morgan Schneiderlin followed him into the book.
Wednesday tried to apply more pressure as the half drew to a close but were unable to apply a finishing chance.
The last real opportunity was a Rickie Lambert header from an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cross. The firm header being well saved by Weaver as the half drew to a close.
Jon Otsemobor the former Saint came on at the start of the second half in place of Darren Purse.
The competitive edge to the match continued with both Marcus Tudgay and Coke keeping the Saints’ defence on it’s toes, whilst Lee Barnard was again denied by Weaver.
The first goal for what seemed an eternity came finally in the 60th minute. Schneiderlin broke up an attack and with a superb through ball set Lee Barnard racing goalwards. He drew Weaver out on a one to one before slotting the ball home coolly into the bottom corner.
The goal was greeted with rapterous applause from the away contingent as the Saints began to look more threatening with their attacks.
Butterfield got booked just as both teams made substitions. Adam Lallana coming on for Barnard with Tommy Miller replacing Teale.
Lallana’s introduction led to a sustained spell of Saints pressure and Lallana came close to scoring from another Chamberlain cross.
Dan Harding kept a Tudgay effort away from goal with a good blocking tackle as the defence held firm to Wednesday sorties.
Ryan Dickson came on with 7 minutes remaining for Chamberlain. Almost straight after, Lallana came close after a spell of passing from Saints in a patient build-up.
Saints appeared to be in complete control and as the time ran out Lee Holmes came on for Puncheon. Lallana became the fourth Saint to enter the book.
Wednesday suddenly created two chances as time ran out. First Davis saved a shot with aplomb and then a fierce drive was saved brilliantly as time was up.
At the final whistle we saw the entire team race over to the Saints keeper for the two saves which had kept the points, though deserved, safely in our possession.
A good result for us and one which will hopefully lead to more of the same.
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