REPORT: Wycombe v Wanderers

Wanderers’ winning run came to an end as one goal was enough for Wycombe to extend their own hot streak in a fiercely contested affair at Adams Park.

The Whites drew a blank for the first time in 10 games as a late bombardment of the Wycombe penalty area failed to produce an equaliser as the home side held on to secure their fifth win in a row and equal Wanderers’ recent burst.

Ian Evatt’s men also thought they should have had a penalty when substitute Cameron Jerome was barged over on the box as they wound up the pressure in the closing stages.

But with nothing given, Wanderers suffered just a second defeat in 13 league games as Andrew Wing’s goal deep into first-half injury time maintained Wycombe’s momentum in their bid to join the Whites in the top six of League One.

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Wanderers made one change to the side that had started their second successive 5-0 win in mid-week as Conor Bradley returned from suspension and Gethin Jones switched flanks in place of Declan John.

And both wing-backs were key men in the opening exchanges as Wanderers looked to go in front.

Bradley created an early opening for Ricardo Almeida Santos, who nearly continued his remarkable scoring streak with an effort he clipped just over the bar as he sensed a possible fourth goal in three games.

James Trafford had to save well from a Sam Vokes’ header at the other end but the Whites were then only inches away from the opening goal as a superb run from Bradley saw him pick out Jones for a shot which hit the underside of the bar before bouncing clear with 17 minutes gone.

Superb defending from Eoin Toal then snuffed out an opportunity for Wycombe frontman Brandon Hanlan as both sides pushed to gain the advantage in a high-tempo contest befitting two in-form teams with no quarter given.

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Kyle Dempsey kept looking to drive Wanderers forward whenever the opportunity arose but the home side gradually stepped up the pressure and in the final minute of nine added on to the end of the first half made the breakthrough.

The Whites had dealt successfully with a number of corners but from the last of the half were caught out when the ball was played back to Wing to whip in a superb shot which fizzed inside the near post and into the top corner.

Wanderers introduced John at the start of the second half and then Kieran Lee shortly afterwards as they looked to regain some of their early composure and renew a threat of their own.

The replacement of Dempsey with just over an hour gone was not by choice as the midfield man hobbled off after seemingly going over on an ankle but with Evatt also sending on Cameron Jerome, the Whites had fresh legs to try and find an equaliser.

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Wycombe were never going to make it easy, though, as they disrupted the flow, denied Wanderers the time and space to play and then looked to add a second on the break or from a set-play, David Wheeler shooting straight at Trafford when well placed.

The Whites had their moments as they tried to work an opening and forced a succession of corners in front of the massed traveling fans, Jerome twice appealing for spot-kicks as he suffered a push and a pulled shirt in the penalty area.

Josh Sheehan made space in a crowded box but couldn’t find the finish to trouble goalkeeper and after John had fired over, Victor Adeboyejo then saw a goalbound effort blocked as Wanderers began to pepper the Wycombe box in the closing stages.

The introduction of former Wycombe loanee Randell Williams as a sixth substitute following a concussion replacement for the hosts gave Wanderers the added weapon of a long throw.

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And from one of his deliveries, Elias Kachunbga almost grabbed a dramatic equaliser in injury time with an overhead kick which Max Stryjek turned round the post at full stretch to secure his side the points and temporarily slow Wanderers’ charge.

Wanderers: Trafford; Toal, Almeida Santos, Toal; Bradley (Williams 84), Morley (Kachunga 84), Dempsey (Sheehan 65), Jones (John HT); Shoretire (Lee 57); Adeboyejo, Charles (Jerome 65). Substitutes: Isgrove.

Booked: Shoretire, Morley

Wycombe: Stryjek; Grimmer (Willis 32), Forino, Jacobson; Wheeler, Wing, Scowen, Obita; McCleary (Freeman 82), Vokes, Hanlan. Substitutes: Cartwright, Thompson, Willis, Freeman, McCarthy, Campbell, De Barr.

Booked: Scowen

Referee: Andy Woolmer

Read Time: 4 mins