Wycombe are echoing the start to last-season as they have once again been defeated against a side which has just been promoted from League Two.
Eyes fell on the starting lineup as soon as it released, the big news being Richard Kone was not there- Fueling rumours that the 22 year-old is on his way out following reports that numerous clubs had bid for the striker. Mike Dodds confirmed the reports, saying that there had been five offers for the Ivorian. He also said that the club had offered him a new contract. The starting XI consisted of many new faces, such as Mikki van Saas in goal, Allen at left-back, Casey and Mullins.
The 25/26 campaign was officially underway as the teams kicked off at The University of Bradford Stadium. However, Wycombe’s start left a lot to be desired as the hosts quickly found the net in the opening ten minutes of the match following a shot which was at first denied by Mikki van Saas but found Sarcevic, who headed home.
Things quickly went from bad to worse as the hosts double their lead only eight minutes later, as Pointon’s powerful shot from outside the box beat van Saas, players trying to defend possibly obscuring the keeper’s view.
Wanderers kept control of possession for most of the half, however, only managed to have one shot on target, looking poor in terms of going forward. Onyedinma was pretty much marked out of the game and it seemed like Bradford simply wanted it more than Wanderers, every pass made by Wycombe in an attempt to attack intercepted or kicked well away.
The first half went on without much more to report, Wanderers trailing two goals to nil as the players returned to their dressing rooms.
The second half began with Wycombe looking much better than before, an early shot by Lowry just wide of the post. They continued as Udoh made a run down the wing with the cross failing to meet Onyedinma. Wanderers were close once again, but Westergaard’s shot going just over an open goal.
After many attempts, Wycombe got one back as Leahy’s cross who found Udoh, his shot rolling under Bradford’s keeper to make the scoreline 2-1. It seemed to be the right time for the visitors to make a change, Onyedinma coming off for new signing, Junior Quitirna.
Shortly after, Wycombe made three more changes as Harvey, Fink and Tilley came on for Allen, Lowry and Westergaard.
There was big calls for a penalty into stoppage time as a shot came off a defender’s arm. However, the referee denied the claims. Eventually, the full-time whistle was blown, Wanderers narrowly losing their opening game of the 25/26 campaign.
While the first half of the game left a lot to be desired, both in attack and in defense, Wanderers showed signs of promise in the second 45 minutes of the match, making many more chances, and were more disciplined at the back. If only they were doing that through the whole 90 minutes, it could have been an entirely different game for the Chairboys and this might have been an entirely different match report.
Last season, Wycombe lost their opening two games of the League One season, but went on to go undefeated until late December, even spending some time at the top of the table and constantly fighting. It’s a very different setup this time around, the hollywood teams no longer in the picture, if Wycombe continue to fight the way they did in the second half of this match, it could be a very interesting time for supporters.
We face off against Stockport in what will be Wycombe’s first game back at Adams Park next Saturday at 3pm and once again, fans must get behind the team and try to push them even further than last season’s unfortunate finish.
