Two second half goals saw Sheffield Wednesday's second string defeat City's reserves 2-0 at Sincil Bank in the opening Pontin's Holidays League East fixture of the season.

With the exception of full-back Gary Croft and striker Ben Wright, City fielded a relatively young team for the game against a similarly youthful Owls' outfit, who also had experience in their team through the likes of Lee Bullen and Peter Gilbert.

City started the game brightly, carving out a couple of half-chances in the opening 10 minutes. The first came after a header forward by Tom Garrick saw the ball land at the feet of Wright whose subsequent chip to the back post bounced just wide whilst the second saw Wright head a delicate Owain Warlow centre over the bar.

Wednesday's response saw them force a couple of corners either side of the quarter hour mark; the first ending when Ayden Duffy was bundled over by Matt Bowman and the second was eventually blazed well over by Jason Bradley after the ball was half-cleared.

A timely block by Croft in the 22nd minute denied Bradley after a quickly-taken free-kick opened up the City defence but a half littered with stoppages did nothing to aid in the way of chances at goal for either side.

One such stoppage occurred in the 39th minute when Ollie Ryan jarred his right knee going in for a challenge on the half-way line. He hobbled off somewhat gingerly before receiving further treatment from physio Kevin Oxby.

With Ryan off the field, Sean McAllister volleyed a foot wide from the edge of the box for the visitors before striker Bradley powered a header past the opposite upright. City's response saw the returning Ryan have an effort ruled out for hand-ball.

The second half was just six minutes old when Billy Stubbs replaced Adam Hewitt in defence; the switch seeing Gary Croft move across to left-back with Stubbs slotting in on the right.

The substitution was the highlight of a very quiet opening 20 minutes following the restart with chances at a premium for both teams. It was more a case of both sides cancelling each other out as play was centered mainly in the middle third of the field.

Midway through the second period, David McClements had a lot shot well saved by Ayden Duffy and as the Wednesday player remained grounded after falling awkwardly as he shot, Tom Garrick made way for Martin Pembleton for the Imps.

City came within inches of breaking the deadlock in the 73rd minute when Ollie Ryan got the blind side of the visiting defence but he could only look on as his snap shot on the turn crashed against the crossbar before bouncing to safety. Within seconds, Wednesday were in front.

The opening goal of the game came when Peter Gilbert pumped a long free-kick into the danger area. The ball bounced over the back-tracking Imps' defence and in nipped Matt Bowman to loop a header over Duffy.

Bowman made way for Todd Wood three minutes later before some neat build-up play by City ended with skipper Shane Clarke firing over from 30 yards. Wright then fizzed wide following good work by Warlow down the left.

The Owls responded to this scare by going on the attack with Michael Roddy drawn into a foul 25 yards from goal as a result. Up stepped David McClements from the dead ball and he promptly drilled a firm effort around the wall and past Duffy's outstretched fingers.

In the final minute of the game Phil Watt saw yellow for a late challenge on Luke Boden, who was carried off before being replaced by Sam Liversidge whilst Ollie Ryan was also cautioned for a stoppage-time foul on Mark Beevers.

Ollie Ryan tangles with Lee Bullen

MATCH FACTS

City res: Ayden Duffy, Gary Croft, Adam Hewitt (Billy Stubbs 51), Michael Roddy, Phil Watt, Jack Cotton, Tom Garrick (Martin Pembleton 67), Shane Clarke, Ollie Ryan, Ben Wright, Owain Warlow.

Subs (not used): Gary King, Luke Baxter, Lenny John-Lewis.

Bookings: Watt (89), Ryan (90+4)

Sheff Wed res: Richard O'Donnell, Lee Bullen (James Kay 88), Peter Gilbert, Yoann Folly, Liam McMenamin, Mark Beevers, Sean McAllister, Luke Boden (Sam Liversidge 90), Jason Bradley, Matt Bowman (Todd Wood 76), David McClements.

Subs (not used): Arron Pratt, Charlie Tunnard.

Goals: Bowman (73), McClements (85)

Referee: David Coote