Wednesday played their last game of the season in front of over 23,000 people and by the time the game finished there probably will have only been around 15,000 left in who heard the final whistle. It was a disappointing end to a campaign which has gone from almost consistent abject failure to some terrific performances and victories to going back to being constantly on the back foot and conceding goals at will.
Bolton were three goals in front with just half an hour gone, Neil Danns, Chung-Yong Lee and a stunner from Liam Trotter netting before Joe Mattock smashed in a terrific goal for the Wednesday but it was to be the only bright spot in a disappointing afternoon at Hillsborough.
Rhys McCabe made a surprise return to the starting line up alongside Giles Coke in midfield with Kieran Lee being forced to deputise at right back with both Lewis Buxton and Liam Palmer missing through injury. Jack Stobbs was on the bench and in line to make his SWFC bow in front of the home fans and Caolan Lavery partnered Atdhe Nuhiu up front, there was also a return for Glenn Loovens alongside Oguchi Onyewu in defence after the Dutchman recovered from a hamstring injury.
Wednesday started relatively brightly with Giles Coke and Michail Antonio both having shots at goal, the former getting his on target while the Owl's number seven blazing over. The optimism soon waned though when after just eight minutes the visitors went in front with alarming ease. Jermaine Beckford was afforded all the time in the world as he got behind the Wednesday back line and from inside the box he squared a low ball across the six yard box and most people expected it to either be cut out or pounced on by Chris Kirkland but neither happened and Danns scored the simplest of goals at the far post.
Almost straight from the restart the visitors were hoping for another chance as Beckford was looking to spring the offside trap, Onyewu and Loovens were flat footed but thankfully the striker was offside. It seemed to be Wanderer's way to goal as the centre half pairing looked almost static and their minds certainly seemed elsewhere but thankfully the assistant referee was on his game and was certainly willing to wave the offside flag. Beckford did get the ball into the net but he was offside, he ran an extra 15 yards before putting the ball in and the home fans weren't happy with referee, Andy Davies, who didn't seem too fussed about the former Everton striker just carrying on regardless of the whistle.
Wednesday very briefly rallied and there was a half chance for Antonio but the winger blasted over the bar following a little melee in the box but ten minutes after the opener, Bolton were gifted the opportunity to get a second goal which they weren't going to miss.
The ball was hoisted forward from their defence and it appeared all was well when Joe Mattock picked up possession but he inexplicably gave the ball straight to Lee and the visiting midfielder gladly accepted the gift before racing forward unopposed to shoot low at goal, the effort didn't have much pace but somehow it squirmed under Kirkland and into the net.
Finally Wednesday seemed to get into some sort of rhythm and were within a lick of paint of getting themselves on the scoresheet, McCabe found Lavery who did well to win a corner, the ball was swung in and it was only half cleared and McCabe rattled a tremendous effort at goal which Adam Bogdan couldn't get to but it rattled off the post and back into the grasp of the flame haired stopper.
But after another brief moment from the Owls it was a return to the pattern of the opening half an hour or so, the visitors won a throw in around half way on the North Stand side of the ground, it was taken quickly to Trotter and when no one came within 10 yards of him he looked up and unleashed a wonderful effort from around 30 or so yards and it dipped under the crossbar with Kirkland given no chance. A fine strike which raised a round of applause from the home crowd as well as the visiting couple or so thousand of supporters who were ecstatic.
Beckford again put the ball pst Kirkland minutes later with relative ease but thankfully the flag was up before Wednesday did manage to reduce the arrears and it was every bit as good as Trotter's earlier strike for the visitors.
Much like when McCabe struck the upright a little earlier the ball came out to Mattock and the full back absolutely smashed the stitching out of the ball from around 30 yards and into the top corner of the goal past a helpless Bogdan. Lavery forced Bogdan into a save at the end of the half as the Owls finally seemed to come to life a little.
Half Time
Wednesday 1 Bolton 3
Neither side changed personnel at the break and the home fans hoped for a reaction in the second half but after four minutes on the clock it was almost a fourth goal for the visitors. Danns linked with Lee who returned the ball back to the former Birmingham midfielder and he was through on goal, Kirkland came out to close down the angle and Danns knocked it to the goalkeeper's right but Kirkland threw out an arm and took the ball cleanly and grasped possession. It was a moment of fantastic goalkeeping and rightly brought an ovation from the home supporters as Danns put his head in his hands.
Beckford, Rob Hall and Lee combined with the scorer of the visitors second goal chipping Kirkland but this time he couldn't hit the target as the ball sailed over the crossbar, thankfully.
Such was Wednesday's luck, the next goal bound effort was blocked... By one of our own players. McCabe fed the ball into the feet of Nuhiu who laid it back to Coke and he smashed an effort which looked to be heading goal wards until it hit Nuhiu on the edge of the box and was cleared to safety. Wednesday introduced Paul Corry and debutant Jack Stobbs for Mattock and McCabe respectively to try and give them a different option going into the final half an hour but it was probably a bit too much of an ask with the game realistically all but over as a contest, however the young winger did get involved in a move which resulted in Lavery getting a shot away but the ball didn't threaten the goal.
Lukas Jutkiewicz came on for the visitors and he set up Danns who looked to have the chance to net his second of the game but Kirkland did well to save, and fellow first half scorer Lee was to miss the target in what was probably one of the easiest chances of the game when sub Andy Kellett fed him the ball around 5 yards out but he smashed it into the side netting.
It was to be the last real chance of the game which really was a disappointing one in front of the home supporters, but no matter how many times Stuart Gray has said the players aren't thinking about the break.. You can't suggest anything else after that 'performance' in which the Owls deserved nothing in truth.
So, into the final week of the season we go and Ipswich Town being the hosts for our last fixture and well, we're ready for it. It's been a long season and let us look forward to a summer of berating England in the World Cup!
Full Time
Wednesday 1 Bolton 3
Wednesday: Kirkland, Antonio, Onyewu, Coke (Afobe 85), Mattock (Corry 60), McCabe (Stobbs 60), Helan, Lee, Lavery, Nuhiu, Loovens
Bolton: Bogdan, Mills, Ream, Spearing, Beckford (Kellett 79), Hall (Jutkiewicz 73), Trotter, Danns, Lee (Youngs 90), Wheater, Threlkeld