Jermaine Johnson struck twice as Sheffield Wednesday cruised past Rochdale in the Carling Cup first round.
Wednesday on form in 3-0 win
Jermaine Johnson bagged a double as Sheffield Wednesday sailed into the Carling Cup second round at the expense of League Two Rochdale.
Etienne Esajas' superb 25-yard volley gave Wednesday the lead after 15 minutes and Johnson kept his cool inside the box before finishing well to make it two four minutes later.
Rochdale never got to grips with the impressive Johnson and after the break he capped a fine performance with his second strike in five minutes as the Owls booked their place in the second-round draw.
Wednesday came flying out of the traps and Tommy Miller saw a shot saved by Kenny Arthur but five minutes later Marcus Tudgay flicked the ball on for Esajas, who sent a looping volley from 25 yards over the despairing Rochdale keeper.
The Owls doubled their lead with 19 minutes gone as Frank Simek's long ball into the box rebounded into the path of Johnson who kept his composure and slammed the ball past Arthur from six yards.
Dominance
Rochdale could not cope with Johnson and with 27 minutes gone he latched onto Tudgay's clever flick and turned superbly before firing in a shot that was blocked by Arthur.
Five minutes before the break Rochdale almost found a way back into it when Gary Jones played the ball into Chris Dagnall but his shot was saved by Wednesday goalkeeper Lee Grant.
Wednesday once made a bright start in the second half and another clever flick from Tudgay found Miller who just shot wide.
Moments later the Owls put the game to bed as the Rochdale defence let Mark Beever's long ball out of defence run straight through to Johnson who coolly lobbed the ball over the onrushing Arthur.
Wednesday continued to dominate with Darren Potter and substitute Francis Jeffers both going close to extending the score line as the Owls eased home with Rochdale well beaten.
