Oxford United vs Sheffield Wednesday could’ve been the saddest game of the day – but their fans didn’t get the memo

League One-bound Oxford United beat long-since-relegated Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon - there was no sadness in the air in Oxfordshire, though.

‘I’m having a good time, I’m having a ball’, sang Freddie Mercury, his voice belting out from the speakers in the moments after Oxford’s relegation to League One alongside the Owls was confirmed.

For both the clubs, good times have been few and far between this season - and not many of their fans have been having a ball. Wednesday and the U’s have dropped down to the third tier of English football in very different circumstances, but neither way stings any less.

As they met at the Kassam on Saturday afternoon, with the hosts relegated due to results elsewhere, all this game would serve to be was a warm-up for League One. It should’ve been the saddest game in the Championship, but the supporters didn’t get that memo.

Bananas bounced around the away end amid a healthy dose of Hawaiian shirts, while the home fans raised to their feet as the two teams came out. 180 minutes of Championship football remained for these supporters, and they were going to enjoy what was left.

For Wednesday, another name joined the list of absentees as Gabriel Otegbayo sat the game out, but thankfully there was a return for Pierce Charles between the sticks. Dominic Iorfa returned in place of the former, while Jamal Lowe and Nathaniel Chalobah were also back in the XI.

Liam Palmer donned the captain’s armband once again, making his 508^th appearance in the colour of his boyhood club. After surpassing Jack Brown on 507, only the great Andrew Wilson (546) sits ahead of him. Whatever the circumstances, it’s one hell of an achievement.

‘We’re going to Bromley, you’re coming too’, and ‘You’re going down with the Wednesday’ chanted those from Sheffield, and they didn’t get any quieter despite falling behind within six minutes.

The goal was far too simple, with Tayo Adaramola missing the header on a cross-field ball, and Stanley Mills whipping in a cross that was nicely flicked past Pierce Charles by Will Lankshear. The former Sheffield United man did well, but the defending was sloppy.

It could’ve been two not long afterwards, as well, but Chalobah was on hand twice to scramble the ball away and make sure the visitors stayed in it. It was all Oxford in the opening stages, with Wednesday barely able to get out of their own half.

‘If you’re all gonna Bromley clap your hands…’

Sheffield Wednesday lost to Oxford United in their penultimate game of the season. Image: Steve Ellis

With the way that the two sides were playing, a second felt inevitable. Again it was Lankshear, again it was an excellent finish. This time, however, there wasn’t too much the Owls could do about it as he curled a lovely effort into the top corner from range. 2-0 to the hosts.

Meanwhile, the away end worked their way through their back catalogue. José Semedo, Atdhe Nuhiu and Fernando Forestieri got a mention, as did Carlos Carvalhal - Dom Howson is going to great lengths to promote his book.

Back on the pitch, Wednesday’s first real chance came through Adaramola, who showcased his pace to latch onto a lovely ball from Charlie McNeill, but Jamie Cumming produced a strong stop.

McNeill was again involved just before half-time, finding some space after some great footwork and firing an effort past the Oxford goalkeeper only to see it hit the upright. Signs of life from the visitors, but they had Charles to thank for it remaining 2-0 going into the break as he pulled of a brilliant save to stop Lankshear from getting his hat-trick. Henrik Pedersen raged on the sidelines, and you can’t imagine he’ll have been very complimentary during the break.

Changes were expected before the second half, but in the end it was just the one. On came Mackenzie Maltby for his Owls debut, replacing Sean Fusire. Palmer moved to right wingback, with Maltby - who is out of contract in the summer - getting a chance to impress at the heart of a back three. It felt like Pedersen giving the young centre back a chance to make his claim for a new deal.

Whatever the Dane did say in the bowels of the Kassam seemed to do the trick. Wednesday started brightly, but - as has so often been the case - were severely lacking in the final third. Jerry Yates flashed an effort wide, and even when the ball was bundled past Cumming it was ruled out for a foul. The Owls have a lot of work to do ahead of next season, but improving their attacking output should be right up there on their list.

For all their endeavour, though, it wasn’t enough. Will Grainger replaced McNeill in an attempt to change things, but moments later it was three. Will Vaulks, such a popular figure during his time at S6, fired into the top corner before rolling out his signature somersault celebration.

It was proving to be another afternoon to forget for the travelling fans, but they’d at least have something to shout about… Grainger - brought on to make an impact - did just that. The 17-year-old picked up the ball in the box and beautifully curled it into the top corner.

Delight for the teenager, who everyone hopes will sign his first professional contract over the summer, and for a couple of chuffed parents in the away end, the chants of ‘Will Grainger, he’s one of our own’ were very literal.

Will Grainger celebrates his first senior goal. Image: Steve Ellis

‘We’re going down with the Wednesday…’

Sadly the joy was short-lived, though. As it so often has been this season. Barely a minute later it was 4-1 as one-time Wednesday target, Myles Peart-Harris sliding his effort into the bottom corner and wrapping things up for Matt Bloomfield’s men. Devlan Moses came on for the final few minutes, but it wouldn’t affect the scoreline.

Grainger’s cameo was the highlight of a torrid afternoon on the field, and it does deserve to be highlighted. His finish was excellent, but the academy graduate bombed about and made more happen in his 20 minutes than others did in 90. It said a lot about the performance that despite coming on in the 72nd minute, he was Wednesday’s Man of the Match.

For Oxford, it took them being relegated, and facing the worst team in the division, to pick up their biggest win of the season.

For Wednesday, Saturday afternoon was just another step on their slow and painful march towards the hope of a brighter future. And it can’t come soon enough.

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