Rain in the area meant slow going on the A14 around Cambridge, but by kick off it was just a damp evening. Being a “school night” the South Stand was only around a quarter full, Wycombe fans filled around half of the Habbin South, but other areas of the ground were quite full and the total attendance was 5776. Chris C took my place in the cabin so i could have a beer in the Supporters Club with my pals for a change.
U’s starting line up: Eastwood in goal; back 3 of Watts, Heffernan, and Curtis. Bradshaw wide left, Bennett wide right with Hoddle in front of the defence. Ahadme up front with Kaikai, Mpanzu and Knight in the middle
Breeze, Bangura-Williams, Moxon, Lavery, Appere, Bauer, Heath on the bench.
For the first half an hour or so U’s were not really in the game. Wycombes pressing and physical play meant we rarely had any time on the ball in the middle, most of our attacks were high balls aimed at Ahadme who was well marshalled by their big defenders. A couple of times some quick passing did break down their defence to make a chances but last ditch blocks stopped U’s scoring.
Wycombe’s main attacking move was the long ball to our right back position, many of which went straight into the Habbin! When they did get the ball some dangerous crosses resulted but luckily to no-one to put the ball in the net.
The opening goal came from a long punt forward. Watts tried to let the ball go out for a goal kick, but their most dangerous player, #44 Onyedinma “picked his pocket” to get the ball, pulled it back to Wareham who rolled a defender before shooting past Eastwood from about 8 yards. I think Eastwood got a finger tot eh ball but it was hit too well for him to stop it. 0-1 on 44 minutes.
Half time: 0-1. 50/50 draw ticket 41038 won £405.
Unlike at Barnsley Neil Harris chose not to make any changes at half time, and the general play stayed much the same with U’s being second best. A free kick by Kaikai did bring out a great save by their keeper Hazard.
Just before the hour mark Lavery and Appere came on for Curtis and Ahadme.
Wycombe had a series of corners, and it was no real surprise they extended their lead when a cross found the unmarked Wareham to volley home. 0-2 on 61. Wycombe had more half chances but failed to find the target.
Mpanzu and Hoddle were replaced by Bangura-Williams and Moxon, Wycombe made changes to defend their lead which gave U’s more of the ball and pressure aournd their goal with some on target shots saved. From a corner Lavery, the shortest player on the pitch, rose highest to head in off the far post to reduce the deficit. 1-2 on 78 minutes.
Kaikai cut in from the left and put in a curling shot that Hazard did well to push away. Into added time and it seemed the equaliser would not come. A through ball looked to b e going out for a goal kick but Lavery made a nuisance and kept the ball in play, it went out to the right for Bennett to cross towards Appere on the 6 yard box but he was beaten to the ball by Wycombe defender Taylor who put a bullet header into the top corner. 2-2 on 92 minutes.
Final score: 2-2.
For 75 minutes or so we were awful! But we found a way to score twice. Actually we had 2 shots on target to their 1 at half time, and at the end it was 6 on target out of 12 to their 2 from 9.
Another more typical Wycombe stat was that we committed 8 fouls and got 1 yellow card, they did 15 for 3 yellow cards. Of course when they were fouled they went down as if shot, but miraculously recovered when the referee checked to see if the trainer should come on, and set pieces and throw ins took an age.
In the first half most of our passing was sideways or backwards, Watts diagonal to Bennett the most productive compared to aiming in the general direction of Ahadme. Knight could not get into the game, Mpanzu neither but also gave away possession too often. Kaikai looked most likely to make something happen, but their defenders did well to stop him. Eastwood seemed to have a problem dealing with some of their crosses
It took a shape change after the second set of substitutions to get U’s on the front foot. Knight and Bennett combined well on our right, Bradshaw and Kaikai on the left, and Moxon was all over the place, RBW looked the best I’ve seen him for U’s. And of course Lavery buzzing around their defenders like a wasp made sure they couldn’t control the ball for long.
A point from a hard game is OK, it moves us up from 5th to 4th (or equal second to 4th if you are a glass half empty person). Just a shame we take so long to get going! The clocks change after we play Plymouth this weekend, maybe that will make a difference?