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Sheffield Wednesday picked up their first win of the season thanks to goals from George Brown and Barry Bannan, and the Owls skipper was delighted with his teammate.
It’s been a long time coming, but Sheffield Wednesday now have their first victory of the league season. An away trip to Portsmouth isn’t easy, but the Owls put in an organised display to get over the line.
A sublime Barry Bannan free-kick put Wednesday in front early on. Then, in the second half, young George Brown showed composure to net his first goal for the club and double Sheffield Wednesday’s lead.
The Sheffield Wednesday youngster made the step up after impressing in the Carabao Cup win over Leeds United. And, judging by the reaction from those around him, it seems Brown has his fair share of admirers within the squad and the coaching staff.
George Brown’s goal for Sheffield Wednesday prompts huge response from Owls staff
Portsmouth’s hopes of a third successive clean sheet were spoiled early on by Bannan and it’s the Owls skipper who caught our eye when George Brown was taken off the pitch.
As the 19-year-old left the field in the 66th minute, Bannan made the effort to congratulate the young forward by patting him on the back of the head.
It’s fitting, really, that Bannan gave Wednesday the lead before a player 16 years his junior secured the win for the Owls. If that isn’t symbolic of the Owls’ current situation, we don’t know what is.
After Bannan’s gesture, the young man enjoyed a rapturous welcome as he took his seat on the Wednesday bench. Various staff and players alike were seen greeting Brown with high-fives.
The squad weren’t about to let George Brown go without getting his plaudits from the crowd, too. After the final whistle, his teammates pushed him towards the travelling Sheffield Wednesday fans to lap up the applause.
Clearly, there is an immense sense of togetherness within the Sheffield Wednesday camp despite the chaos behind the scenes. If they can keep showing this level of team spirit and resilience, who knows? Maybe that fight for survival will have a happy ending.
George Brown’s connection to James Milner
If you’re sat there wondering who George Brown is, don’t worry, you’re not alone. There are many Sheffield Wednesday fans who won’t even know much about their newest hero.
He’s a young striker who came through the ranks at the Leeds Ultimate Football Coaching Academy before joining Sheffield Wednesday’s youth setup.
Interestingly, before all of that, Brown followed in the footsteps of James Milner. The two both turned out for Horsforth St Margaret’s, a junior team based in a suburb of Leeds.
Now, we’ll wait and see how much of an impact he can make under Henrik Pedersen this season. After his first goal, Brown will be brimming with confidence and hungry for more.