Brilliant Blues Batter Bury

Vital Wycombe would like to thank guest writer Dale Jenkins for the following report.


Wycombe ran out comfortable 4-1 winners this afternoon to complete another fabulous away day at Gigg Lane. Star of the show was the stylish Stuart Beavon, whose brilliant treble took him to 20 goals for the season.

It didn`t quite have the excitement or the attraction of the end of season promotion race last April, but there was no doubt that this trip to Gigg Lane was an important one. With the hosts not having won in ten games, and having conceded 11 goals in their last 3 fixtures, this was an ideal chance for Wycombe to showcase their survival potential and further drag sliding Bury into the relegation mire.

Gary Waddock, on his 50th birthday, named an unchanged line up from the goalless draw with Colchester a week previously.

The Chairboys got off to the perfect start taking the lead after just four minutes. Marvin McCoy showed Joe Skarz a clean pair of heels down the right and fed Beavon via a Paul Hayes dummy. Beavon ran across goal and fired emphatically into the roof of the net.

Bury were soon back in the game though. Wanderers were looking susceptible from set pieces and this was proven on 11 minutes as Shaun Harrad met Giles Coke`s corner unchallenged to level the scores. Crucially though, Wycombe regained the lead just a minute later. More superb work down the right wing saw McCoy power past the Bury defenders and cut back for Hayes who was perfectly placed to slot home from three yards.

The Wycombe midfield was at its tenacious best this afternoon, and Strevens, Lewis, Bloomfield and Eastmond all put in committed performances, comfortably winning their battles and giving their all to the cause. It was something we have not seen enough of on our travels this season.

It could have been 3-1 after just 28 minutes but Hayes was unlucky to see his curling shot from distance hit the bar. Nikki Bull ensured that Wycombe`s lead was intact at half time, diverting Danny Foster`s attempted clearance off the line.

The second half saw Bury attack with new vigour and they soon earned a great chance to equalise for a second time. Grant Basey, on as a half time substitute for the injured Foster, needlessly shoved Mark Hughes over in the corner of the area to concede a penalty. Luckily Coke`s spot kick was weak and rebounded off the post to safety.

The game was effectively sealed on the hour mark after yet more tireless work from Beavon. Cutting inside past a couple of defenders, his deflected shot left Trevor Carson helpless.

Ten minutes later it was all over. A wonderful lofted through ball from Eastmond found Beavon and the little marksman took one touch before rifling an unstoppable effort into the top corner, sending 144 Chairboys into delirium and the home supporters to the exits.

It could have been more but Lewis and Beavon had efforts blocked by Carson after some intricate build up play with the Wanderers visibly full of confidence. It is now three successive promising performances, and the Blues will need to keep this up in their quest to avoid the drop.

Finally, it was chilling to hear news of the abandonment of the Tottenham - Bolton match due to the sudden collapse of Fabrice Muamba. Currently critically ill in hospital, we can only hope he makes a full recovery. It really does put football into perspective.

Ratings:
Bull 7, McCoy 8, Winfield 7, Doherty 8, Foster 6 (Basey 6), Bloomfield 7, Strevens 7, Lewis 8, Eastmond 8, Hayes 7 (Hackett N/A), Beavon 9* (McClure N/A)


Writer: Dale Jenkins

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