Tommy Smith's second-half strike was good enough to boost Watford's promotion
hopes in this five-goal thriller.
Watford took the early advantage when Paolo Varnazza opened the scoring on 10
minutes.
Owls striker Gerald Sibon levelled the scores soon after only for Darren Ward
to put the visitors back into the lead minutes later.
On the stroke of half-time Efan Ekoku snatched a deserved equaliser for
Wednesday to send the sides into the break level at 2-2.
But within four minutes of the restart Watford grabbed what proved to be the
winning goal from Smith.
The Hornets escaped a late penalty appeal when Gilles de Bilde was brought
down and held on to secure their first win in three games.
For struggling Wednesday it was their fourth consecutive defeat and their
ninth at home this season.
The game got off to a blistering start with chances created at both ends
within the opening five minutes.
Ekoku headed wide from seven yards following an Alan Quinn cross and the
former Wimbledon striker then wasted another opportunity by scuffing a 12-yard
shot wide of goal.
Ekoku was left to rue his missed chances when Varnazza scored his first ever
goal for Watford.
Allan Nielsen laid off a Heidar Helguson knockdown to Varnazza, whose first
time volley flew into the bottom left hand corner.
But the visitors could only hold onto their lead for six minutes. Sibon raced
on to a long Marlon Beresford clearance before lobbing the outcoming Alec
Chamberlain with an exquisite finish.
The Owls, however, soon found themselves a goal behind again on 25 minutes.
Helguson held off the Wednesday defenders before prodding the ball to Ward, who
managed to sneak the ball between Beresford and the near post to put the
visitors back into the lead.
The goal seemed to lift the Owls, with Sibon forcing a stop from Chamberlain.
On the stroke of half-time Sibon's defence-splitting pass was met by Ekoku.
The Nigerian international calmly rounded Chamberlain before slotting the ball
into an empty net.
Despite conceding a goal at half-time, it was Watford who took the advantage
by going into the lead.
Wednesday suffered a lapse of concentration as Steve Palmer found Smith with
space to fire in a powerful shot past the despairing hand of Beresford.
Watford continued to press with Neil Cox and Nielsen both having good
opportunities to extend the lead.
With 15 minutes of the game remaining the Owls stepped up a gear with the
introduction of Owen Morrison and de Bilde and, with 10 minutes of the game
remaining, it was the Belgian international who was brought crashing down by
Watford captain Robert Page inside the area.
But the referee waved away the home side's strong appeals.
Teams:
Sheff Wed: Beresford, Haslam (Morrison 59), Harkness, Walker,
Lescott, Hamshaw (De Bilde 65), Quinn, Bromby,
Blatsis (Geary 73), Sibon, Ekoku.
Subs not used: Stringer, Crane.
Booked: Blatsis.
Goals: Sibon 15, Ekoku 45.
Watford: Chamberlain, Cox, Robinson, Page, Palmer, Ward,
Vernazza, Nielsen, Mooney, Smith, Helguson.
Watford: Baardsen, Hyde, Smart, Wooter, Armstrong.
Subs not used: Vernazza, Helguson.
Goals: Vernazza 10, Ward 25, Smith 49.
Attendance: 16,134
Referee: R Olivier (Sutton Coldfield).
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