Wycombe ruin York's big day

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


A thoroughly professional performance at Bootham Crescent saw Wycombe clinch their first league victory since March.

The first positive piece of news was the announcement that Stuart Beavon was part of the starting line up, replacing Richard Logan. There were two other changes, with Leon Johnson and Grant Basey replacing injured duo Charles Dunne and Marvin McCoy.

It was a cagey opening from both sides with York shading the possession but unable to muster an effort on goal. Beavon was looking isolated for Wycombe with the away side struggling to put together a significant passing move.

Wanderers were holding firm as York looked to get a grip on the match, but in truth the game desperately needed a goal to break the lull, and it came in the 27th minute. Anthony Stewart attacked down the right and the ball broke to Bloomfield, whose shot was deflected past a wrong-footed Michael Ingham for Wycombe`s debut league goal under Trust ownership.

York came back well and Wycombe were indebted to Grant Basey for a vital last ditch challenge. In fact this was possibly Basey`s best performance in a Wycombe shirt to date, composed on the ball, defensively assured and eager to join in with the attacks.

Wycombe doubled their lead in spectacular fashion just a minute before half time. The ball broke kindly for Sam Wood who steadied himself before unleashing a dipping volley from fully 35 yards over the helpless Ingham. It was an early "goal of the season" contender and the 319 travelling supporters couldn`t quite believe what they had witnessed.

Any concern of a second half onslaught from the hosts was seemingly extinguished on 53 minutes. A superb cross from Basey found Lewis at the back post. The ball was cut back for the unmarked Beavon who fired home powerfully from ten yards. York keeper Ingham was booked for his protests, claiming the original cross had gone out of play.

The response from York was immediate, with a Chambers cross finding its way to Jason Walker who scrappily bundled the ball home from close range.

The game then swung from end to end with chances for both sides. On the hour mark Nikki Bull made his trademark crucial save, tipping an effort from Daniel Parslow over the bar. However, apart from this the Wycombe defence stood firm, blocking efforts and looking a damn sight more resolute than they did in the last campaign.

It's hard to pick out individual players from what was a near-complete away performance from the team. However, Doherty won everything in the air, Basey provided a response to his critics and Matt Spring oozed class in the centre of midfield.

It's a cracking start to the League campaign for Wycombe - a club newly back in Trust ownership. It's now down to the supporters to get behind the team on Tuesday and hope the positive start can continue. After all, this was only one game.

Ratings:
Bull 7, Stewart 6, Doherty 8, Johnson 7, Basey 8, Grant 6 (Oli 6), Bloomfield 7 (Winfield N/A), Lewis 6, Spring 8*, Wood 7, Beavon 7 (Logan N/A)

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