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| 1994-1995-RESULTS, SCORERS, ATTENDANCES - MORE REPORTS | 1994-1995 RETRO INDEX |
Wycombe Wanderers 0Crewe Alexandra 0 Saturday 25th March 1995 Football League Division Two Wanderers' goal drought reached 469 minutes of League football as they registered their second successive 0-0 draw - this time failing to score against 8th placed Crewe Alexandra at Adams Park. Team news saw Martin O'Neill give a debut to new short term signing Danny Wallace. The 31 year old had joined on a free until the end of the 1994/95 season from Birmingham City. Elsewhere, there was a home debut for fellow newcomer Steve McGavin who had impressed in the midweek game with Brentford. The tightness of the battle for promotion was confirmed when the point moved Wanderers up a place in the Division Two table and five points off the play-off places with ten games remamining. Reporting for the Bucks Free Press, Claire Nash said: 'However much of a will there was, Wycombe Wanderers couldn’t find a way against Crewe Alexandra on Saturday. It was frustrating for both sides’ players and fans. Both combatants needed a win to bolster their respective Division Two play-off aspirations. But both were scuppered by a combination of not making the most of their chances, obstinate defending and fine goalkeeping. Wycombe enjoyed a bright start to both halves. Steve Brown, coming back into central midfield for Jason Soloman, forced a fine save from Crewe’s Mark Gayle after just two minutes with a fierce low drive towards the near post. But Crewe, with at times consummate neatness, worked their way into the encounter. Striker Dele Adebola was a threatening force for the visitors when they broke forward. Steve McGavin, making his home debut for Blues, ran his way into the ground but ultimately it proved a thankless task. Wycombe kept Crewe busy leading up the half hour, but then the visitors hit back on the break, Paul Hyde diving to his right-hand post to tip Adebola’s well-placed shot wide. Dave Carroll’s downward header towards the far post from Brown’s good cross needed someone on hand in the six-yard box to capitalise, as the ball flew across the face of goal on 35 minutes. A breakthrough looked in the offing after the break, Blues forcing a flurry of chances, but they failed to make the most of them. And fortunately weren’t made to rue them. Gayle blocked Carroll’s thunderous effort just 20 seconds into the half, McGavin being unable to reach the rebound at the near post. Brown’s snap volley from Carroll’s flick-on went just over the top three minutes later. And Garland’s effort from McGavin’s cross was steered wide of the far post on 51 minutes. Wanderers adjusted reasonably to Martin O’Neill’s reshuffles, former £1 million-man Danny Wallace replacing Garland on 57 minutes and Cyrille Regis substituting Mickey Bell, who had a nightmarish afternoon, after 77. Wallace found it difficult to stand up to the close attentions of Crewe’s defenders on the left flank, and found it just as hard not to be flattened after being swapped to the right wing. As Blues pushed forward, Crewe snapped at their heels and were dangerous on the counter attack. Hyde impressively denied Steve Garvey on 68 minutes. Wycombe enjoyed the bulk of possession from here, but failed to make the most effective use of it.'
Speaking after the game Martin O'Neill said: "We needed three points today and I thought we could get them after being so buoyant after our match against Brentford last Tuesday. We had a couple of chances, one just after half time, but their keeper made a great save. Outside McGavin, I didn’t think we did enough today." New signing Danny Wallace also spoke to the press after game, saying: "It’s great to be back. You never lose your ability and I know I can still play at the highest level. I’m just grateful to Martin O’Neill for giving me the chance of first team football. It’s down to me. I want to help Wycombe into the First Division and at the same time show the manager I’m worth a long-term deal. It’s a bit of a gamble for me — but it’s one I’ve got to take at this stage of my career. Heaven forbid if Wycombe don’t sign me, but hopefully other sides would be interested if they don’t." And Wallace insisted: "I’ve got three or four good years left in me. All I need is some games. I’m bit short of match fitness because of the inactivity. This is the chance to get my career back to the top. I’m pretty well the same player who played for England." Meanwhile, O'Neill added: "It’s down to Danny. I know a player never loses his ability, but he has to show me he can do a job for us." The game turned out to be Wallace's only First Team appearance for the Wanderers. |
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