Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Stockport County (4-1 on pens): Owls avoid big scare as Devis Vasquez is penalty hero in Carabao Cup first round tie
Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Stockport County (4-1 on pens): Owls avoid big scare as Devis Vasquez is penalty hero in Carabao Cup first round tie
- Sheffield Wednesday were close to exiting the Carabao Cup
- Tyreeq Bakinson scored a late equalizer to take the game to penalties
- Goalkeeper Devis Vasquez was Sheffield Wednesday’s hero in the shootout
Devis Vasquez, the Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper on loan from AC Milan, marked his debut with two shoot-out saves that embarrassed his new side in the Carabao Cup.
Until substitute Tyreeq Bakinson equalized in the 97th minute, it looked like the Championship side were on the verge of going out in the first round against League Two opponents.
But the Owls’ lucky escape was complete when Vasquez saved penalties from Paddy Madden and Louie Barry, before Lee Gregory made no mistake from the spot.
More than 2,000 Stockport supporters made the short trip to Hillsborough and it looked as if a great strike from Madden in the 16th minute would send them home happy. That opener was little more than Dave Challinor’s side deserved for an energetic start in which they quickly gained the upper hand.
With Wednesday camped in their own area, they failed to pick up Madden, who volleyed Akil Wright’s cross past Vasquez.
Devis Vasquez (left) is hired from AC Milan at Sheffield Wednesday
The goalkeeper made vital penalty saves from Paddy Madden and Louis Barry (above) to secure Wednesday’s place in the next round
Stockport had to defend well during the first half when goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe dropped a cross from Juan Delgado. Gregory set up Anthony Musaba from the loose ball, only for Ethan Pye to make a perfect block to keep Stockport’s lead.
Musaba was one of seven summer signings selected by new Wednesday boss Xisco Munoz and the home side certainly made quite an impression over a bunch of strangers.
Wednesday opened the second half in a more menacing fashion with Ashley Fletcher carving out space and firing just wide. And more poor handling from Hinchliffe led to a furious battle in the Stockport goalmouth that ended with Bambo Diaby’s shot being deflected wide.
In the sixth of seven minutes of stoppage time, Wednesday finally claimed the equalizer when Bakinson made a sloppy effort. Then Vasquez made it a debut to remember as his two saves avoided an early exit on Wednesday.