Blues pay for defensive mistakes

Braintree Town 2 Wycombe Wanderers 1

The Conference newcomers took advantage of a couple of defensive howlers to sink Wycombe at Cressing Road this afternoon.

Former Chairboys, Ashlee Jones and Kevin McLeod featured for the home side who finished top of the Conference South last season.

The Blues just about shaded a goalless first-half during which Kadeem Harris, Matt McClure and Kevin Betsy all came close to opening the scoring.

Harris turned well on the edge of the box and curled a shot just over the bar after 9 minutes.

A short-corner routine between Betsy and Scott Donnelly created a chance for McClure ten minutes later, but the striker's close range shot was saved by Jones.

Betsy collected a through-ball from Leon Johnson after 20 minutes, but after working his way into a great shooting position, the winger struck his shot straight at the Braintree keeper.

For their part, the home side fired a few long-range efforts over the bar and worked keeper Steve Arnold twice.

Two minutes after the restart, Jesse Kewley-Graham lost possession on the edge of the Wycombe box allowing Braintree's Ben Wright a free shot at goal which he gratefully buried.

It was a shame for Kewley-Graham as the youngster had otherwise impressed at the heart of Wycombe's midfield.

A cheeky chip-shot from half-time substitute Gareth Ainsworth almost levelled the match for Wycombe, and the veteran winger went one better on the hour-mark when he fired home the equaliser - pouncing on a loose ball after Donnelly's cross was almost converted by McClure.

Playing the latter part of the second-half in central-defence, Danny Foster was easily dispossessed on the edge of his own area after 75 minutes, presenting Wright with the simple task of slotting the ball past Ingram for the winner.

Only a superb reaction save from Ingram prevented Braintree from making it three with five minutes remaining.

Wycombe Line-up

Arnold (Ingram 73), Foster, Stewart (Tunnicliffe (60), Johnson (McCoy 60), Dunne, Harris (Ainsworth 45), Donnelly (Scowen 70), Kewley-Graham (Halls 60), Bloomfield (Beavon 60), Betsy (Grant 45), McClure.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.