Back to my usual routine of a Balti pie before selling programmes. The 50/50 draw prize at the P’boro match was £716, and the winning ticket was apparently sold by John at the NRE turnstiles. No-one offered him a drink on Tuesday!
The same team that beat Pish on Saturday started the game: Mitov in goal, L Bennett, R Bennett, Morrison and Dunk at the back, Digby and Mcgrandles in front of the defence, Lankester, Knibbs and Brophy behind Smith.
U’s had the first chance with a shot from Knibbs blocked and the rebound put over the bar. U’s won the first corner on 5 minutes which was cleared.
Wycombe got their first corner on 10 minutes which was taken short before being crossed, Mitov having to save a good header.
Some good passing set up Knibbs for a shot which was saved for a corner. A Wycombe break looked well offside but came to nothing, then a U’s cross was headed wide.
A long clearance by U’s led to a poor clearance by a Wycombe defender which let in Smith but his shot was well saved.
On 33 Wycombe got a free kick, the linesman flagging for handball on McGrandles I think when it looked to me that the ball hit his shoulder. The free kick was floated into our penalty area, our defenders were too slow and left Tafazoli had a tap in from about 5 yards out. 0-1.
Wycombe looked to increase their lead, a shot went straight to Mitov, then he had to be out quickly to smother a through ball.
Just before half time some good passing set up Lankester for a shot from around 12 yards but he put the ball wide of the post.
The Wycombe pressure paid off when they scored again, a shot deflected onto the bar which fell nicely for Wheeler to head in from a yard, despite looking suspiciously offside. 0-2 after 43 minutes
Half time: 0-2.
An early chance to reduce the lead when Brophy had a shot saved.
Wycombe continued with their “robust” play, Dunk usually on the end of a foul challenge, but Brophy and Lankester also being hit, eventually the referee booked Grimmer. Then the timewasting started in earnest, players going down in instalments to slow the game to a stop.
Smith was almost through but couldn’t quite get the ball in position for a shot, then brohy had another shot pushed away by the keeper.
U’s pressure finally paid off on 61 minutes, Lankester taking the ball into the penalty area, laying it to Knibbs who was fouled but the ball fell for Smith to shoot home. At kleast the referee allowed play to go on long enough for the goal to be scored, some might have blown for a penalty as knibbs was fouled!
Wycombe had a run of corners, before a series of U’s free kicks from a number of fouls.
Dunk, Knibbs, Brophy and Lankester were replaced by Seddon, Tracey, Ironside and Okedina on 68 minutes, later Thomas came on for McGrandles, as U’s tried everything to equalise, the best chance coming a couple of minutes from time when a cross from l Bennett found ironside but his header went straight to the keeper.
In added time Tracey shot high from 20 yards, then from a corner the ball went across the face of goal with no-one able to add the final touch over the line.
Full time: 1-2.
Lots of endeavour, some skill, but our usual failure to take chances when we make them combined with some poor defending meant no points. Our tactics, especially in the first half seemed to be “put the ball over their giant defenders for Smith to run on to”. Unfortunately the ball mostly went to the head of either giant defender! When we did pass the ball on the ground we looked a lot more dangerous. The usual Wycombe tactics to upset play with fouls and timewasting worked well fro them!
Last Saturday morning, if someone had said we could win only one of our 2 home games, I think we all know which one we would choose!
Currently it looks like 4 from 6 will be relegated, Oxford and MK Dons currently above U’s and above the line.
Our match away at Accrington next Saturday will be a “6 pointer”, and probably decide our future. Before that we are away to Plymouth who need a win to help their promotion push, so I am not expecting anything! But I live in hope. Keep the Faith!