SHELBOURNE'S free flowing football was a little too much for English Premiership side Sheffield Wednesday as the National League double chasers turned on the style in a friendly at Tolka Park last night before a good sized crowd of some 2,500.
In an exhilarating opening to the game, the goals soon flowed, with three inside as many minutes midway through the first half. Shelbourne's enigmatic midfielder, Tony Sheridan, was instrumental as Shelbourne twice took the lead; first playing Mark Rutherford clear down the left to cross for guesting former Shelbourne goal ace, Gary Haylock, to stab home after 16 minutes.
Wednesday were level 40 seconds later when Andy Booth's glancing header looped over Alan Gough from a Scott Oakes cross. But within a further minute, Sheridan released Dessie Baker away down the right and his cross was sent flashing to the net by Rutherford with a classic diving header.
Wednesday's nervous start was almost further underlined when Martin Russell clipped their crossbar with an audacious 45 yard dipping volley after a bad clearance by Wednesday goalkeeper, Kevin Pressman.
Booth pulled Wednesday level again five minutes before halftime with a simple tap in after Gough parried a shot from Wayne Collins.
However, Shelbourne dominated for long spells of the second half and got their deserved winner 14 minutes from time when the club's one time topscorer Haylock got his second.
