All the news stories from April 2018
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RACE FOR PROMOTION
(Saturday 28th April 2018)
Wanderers were promoted after their 2-1 comeback victory at Chesterfield was coupled with a 3-1 defeat for Exeter City at Stevenage and a 2-1 loss for Notts County at Grimsby Town. It was former Wanderer Alex Revell who proved to be the thorn in the side for Exeter. The Stevenage striker netted after just 13 minutes and made it 2-0 on 31 minutes. Notts County were behind on 29 minutes to give more encoragement to Wycombe, only for Michael Harriman's own-goal to put a temporary spanner in the works.
Nathan Tyson's equaliser in first-half stoppage time at Chesterfield proved to be the catalyst for Wycombe to turn the pressure on in the second period. News of Revell completing his hat-trick came through the news channels at around 4.10pm to put Exeter completely out of the equation. It was 4.36pm when Dominic Gape's shot struck the back of the Chesterfield net and make the closing the 15 minutes or so a case of checking that Notts County had not made a comeback against Grimbsy. To add to the tension there was news that County had equalised on 90 minutes and another goal would extend the fight for automatic promotion to the final day of the season. Almost simultaneously as the final whistle went at Chesterfield, there was news that Grimsby had regained the lead against Notts County with what was virtually the last kick of the game. And breath - Wycombe were up in perhaps the most thoroughly deserved and hardworked promotion since Wanderers gained promotion to the Football League some 25 years previous.
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CHESTERFIELD 1 WYCOMBE 2
(Saturday 28th April 2018)
Dominic Gape scored a dramatic 76th minute winner at already relegated Chesterfield to secure automatic promotion for Wanderers on the penultimate weekend of the season. On what will go down as one of the most memorable away-days in the history of the Club, Wycombe came back conceeded a 39th minute own-goal from Michael Harriman to equalise in first-half stoppage when Nathan Tyson tucked in Luke O'Nien's ball in from the right. With news that Exeter City and Notts County were both losing, the vital winning goal looked like it would never arrive but when Joe Jacobson's corner from the right eventually fell to Gape, the former Southampton youngster drilled the ball through a crowd of players from 12 yards to send Wycombe players, staff and fans into mass celebration - the 1,000 plus travelling fans directly behind the goal having the perfect view of the ball hitting the back of the net. There were some nervy moments to follow in the remaining minutes but Wanderers held on and with Exeter and Notts County both confirmed to have lost at the time the referee blew the final whistle, the post match celebration could begin.
 Wanderers Promotion Day - player quotes from social media
Final Score: Chesterfield 1 Wycombe 2
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RACE FOR PROMOTION
(Friday 27th April 2018)
Wanderers go into the nerve jangling two remaining games of the season knowing that victories at Chesterfield (28th April) and at home to Stevenage (5th May) will guarantee promotion. Of course, nothing is quite that simple!
Midweek results saw opponents Chesterfield relegated from the Football League, just 12 months after they were relegated from League One. At the top of the table. Accrington have to still to clinch the League title after losing 2-1 at Newport County.
Stanley try again at home to Lincoln on Saturday (28th April). A point will confirm they first finish top of the pile. Alternatively, any points dropped by Luton Town at home to Forest Green Rovers will hand the title to Stanley.
More importantly, Wanderers will have their ears on the games at Stevenage v Exeter and Grimsby v Notts County. Looking on the positive side – victory for Wycombe, coupled with a defeat for Exeter AND a draw at best for Notts County, would mean automatic promotion could be celebrated at Chesterfield. Anything less than a win for Wycombe, would potentially open the door for Exeter and Notts County – in simple terms, Wycombe need to match or better Exeter’s and Notts County’s results in the two remaining games to take automatic promotion.
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CMS EXTENDS DEAL
(Thursday 26th April 2018)
Craig Mackail-Smith came the third Wanderers player to sign a contract extension in the same week when he penned a new deal running until June 2020. The striker joined Wanderers on a one year deal from Luton Town in August 2017 and netted ten times in his first season at Adams Park.
Craig Mackail-Smith - updated player profile
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BLOOMFIELD EXTENDS DEAL
(Tuesday 24th April 2018)
Club Stalwart Matt Bloomfield has signed a two year extension to his contract with Wanderers - the new deal running until June 2020. The news was announced at the annual Club awards dinner at Adams Park. Bloomfield originally joined Wanderers in December 2003 at the age of 19 from Ipswich Town. He has since gone on to become the highest appearance maker to date in the Football League for Wanderers, with over 400 appearances.
Matt Bloomfield - updated player profile
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TYSON EXTENDS DEAL
(Monday 23rd April 2018)
The Club confirmed on Monday (23rd April 2018) that Nathan Tyson had agreed a one year extension to his contract with The Wanderers (now running until June 2019). The 35 year old re-joined Wanderers in the summer of 2017 and recovered from a spell out through injury to have scored 7 goals in 33 appearances in his first season back at Adams Park. His total career stats at Wycombe at the time of the new deal read 51 goals from 120 appearances.
Nathan Tyson - updated player profile
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RACE FOR PROMOTION
(Saturday 21st April 2018)
Promotion remains in Wycombe's own hands despite the home defeat to Champions elect Accrington Stanley. Elsewhere, Luton Town grabbed the second automatic spot after drawing at Carlisle and then seeing Exeter City drop two points. Meanwhile, Stanley now need one more point from their remaining three games to secure the League title. They travel to Newport County on Tuesday (24th April) for their first chance to secure that accolade.
While Wanderers were imploding against Accrington, Exeter City had their own nerves - coming from a goal down to lead Crawley Town at home before conceding a 68th minute equaliser to trail Wycombe by a point with two games remaining. 5th placed Notts County kept up the pressure with a 4-1 home victory over Yeovil Town but need both Wycombe and Exeter to drop points to have a chance of the final automatic slot. Wycombe travel to all but relegated Chesterfield next Saturday, before ending the regular season at home to Stevenage (5th May). Exeter travel to Stevenage next Saturday, before completing their regular season at home to Colchester United.
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WYCOMBE 0 ACCRINGTON 4
(Saturday 21st April 2018)
Wanderers collapsed to a 4-0 home defeat to Accrington Stanley but remain on course for automatic promotion after 4th placed Exeter City were held to a draw at home to Crawley. The resuly may look shocking on paper but Wycombe started by the far the brighter side and could have scored twice within the opening ten minutes. However, a misjudgement by 'keeper Scott Brown on 15 minutes allowed Kayden Jackson to walk the ball into the Valley End net. More defensive woes led to Stanley's Scott Brown firing in on 33 minutes and despite Gareth Ainsworth changing things on the pitch, the visitors added a third through Sean McConville. A relatively miserable day for Wanderers was completed in stoppage time when Nathan McGinley hauled down substitute Offrande Zanzala on the left side of the box and the same player got up to net from the resulting spot-kick.
Defeat came after Gareth Ainsworth made three changes from the starting XI that had drew 0-0 at Lincoln the previous Tuesday. Out went the injured Adebayo Akinfenwa, while Sam Saunders and Craig Mackail-Smith were dropped to the bench. Scott Kashket, Paris Cowan-Hall and Dominic Gape were the incoming players.
Final Score: Wycombe 0 Accrington 4
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RACE FOR PROMOTION
(Tuesday 17th April 2018)
Wanderers remained in third spot in the table following the 0-0 draw at Sincil Bank but Exeter City are now just two points behind after they beat relegation threatened Chesterfield 2-1 at home on the same evening.
Congratulations go to Accrington Stanley who confirmed promotion to the third tier in English football for the first time in their history following a 2-0 victory over Yeovil Town at The Crown Ground. Luton Town will confirm automatic promotion if they win at Carlisle on Saturday (21st April). Accrington visit Wanderers on the same day, while Exeter City travel to Crawley Town. The phrase we use at this time of the season is, 'twists and turns yet to come' - although Wanderers fans don't want any of that this time around.
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LINCOLN 0 WYCOMBE 0
(Tuesday 17th April 2018)
Wanderers stretched their unbeaten run to eight games and ended the match the happier side after a 0-0 draw at fellow promotion chasers Lincoln City. Wycome stay 3rd in the table, with two wins a draw from the remaining games virtually guaranteeing automatic promotion for Gareth Ainsworth side. The draw came after the Wycombe boss was forced into making changes from the side that grabbed a 1-0 victory at Yeovil the previous Saturday - Dominic Gape and Luke O'Nien both ruled out due to illness and Scott Kashket moved to bench with a related illness. Nick Freeman also dropped to the bench with Craig Mackail-Smith, Nathan Tyson, Sam Saunders and Matt Bloomfield all coming into the starting XI, the latter playing in a face mask after it was revealed he had suffered a broken nose in the Good Friday meeting at Notts County. There was also a set-back for Wanderers during the match at a near sell-out Sincil Bank - Adebayo Akinfenwa being forced off with a calf injury on 36 minutes. However, Wycombe survived first-half pressure and went on to have the better chances in the second-period - Nathan Tyson and Randell Williams both going close to scoring.
Final Score: Lincoln 0 Wycombe 0
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DE HAVILLAND RECALLED
(Monday 16th April 2018)
Wanderers have recalled central-defender Will De Havilland from his loan spell with Maidstone United following the continuing injury and illness problems at Adams Park. The now 23 year old, who joined Wanderers in the summer of 2016 from Sheffield Wednesday, appeared 10 times for the National League side since joining on loan in February 2018. He also spent time on loan at Aldershot earlier in the 2017/18 campaign before returning in October and making 6 apperances for Wanderers. His most recent appearance in a Wanderers shirt was the 5-1 home defeat to Preston North End in the Third Round of the FA Cup in January 2018. |
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RACE FOR PROMOTION
(Saturday 14th April 2018)
With four games remaining, Wanderers remained in 3rd spot in the table following their victory at Yeovil but with the gap to 4th placed now extended to four points after Exeter City dropped two points in their match at Champions elect Accrington Stanley. Stanley would have been promoted with a victory against The Grecians but now effectively need just one more point from their remaining five games to seal their jump to League One. Stanley host Yeovil on Tuesday evening for what looks like to be their chance to finally celebrate after missing out for the past two seasons.
Luton Town edged close to automatic promotion after coming back from a goal down to beat Crewe 3-1 at Kenilworth Road.
The Hatters need one win from their remaining three games to achieve an automatic promotion slot.
Meanwhile, Wanderers destiny remains in their own hands. Nine points from their final four games would guarantee promotion no matter of other teams' results. Wycombe travel to Lincoln City on Tuesday (17th April) in the first of those four nail-biters.
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YEOVIL 0 WYCOMBE 1
(Saturday 14th April 2018)
Substitute Randell Williams scored the only goal of the game on 79 minutes as Wanderers sneaked a 1-0 victory at Yeovil Town. With four games to play, Wanderers remain in 3rd spot in the table but with the gap to 4th placed now extended to four points after Exeter City dropped two points in their match at Champions elect Accrington Stanley. The victory at Yeovil came after the home side created the better chances in the first-half - Scott Brown tipping a Otis Khan free-kick onto the left-hand upright in stoppage time. The home side were left frustrated again in the second-half when they had an effort ruled out for offside and saw a Tom James free-kick clip the outside of the left-hand post. Watford loanee Williams had been introduced as early as the 32nd minute when he replaced Luke O'Nien who was forced off due to illness.The winning goal came after Joe Jacobson delivered a ball in from the left that was only cleared as far as Marcus Bean who flicked the ball right to Williams - the loanee picking his spot in the right corner of the net before setting off for an acrobatic celebration in front of the Wycombe dug-out. Wycombe travel to Lincoln City on Tuesday (17th April) in the first of four potentially nail-biting final games of the season.
Final Score: Yeovil 0 Wycombe 1
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THE BEAST SIGNS AGAIN
(Saturday 14th April 2018)
The Club announced on Saturday 14th April 2018 that Adebayo Akinfenwa had signed a one year extension to his contract - now running until June 2019. 'The Beast' signed from Wimbledon in the summer of 2016 and netted 18 times in all competitions during his first season at Adams Park and had also netted 18 goals during 2017/18 at the time of the announcement - 16 of those in the League. He had also been domininated for the 'League Two' Player of the Season and Team of the Season. |
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RACE FOR PROMOTION
(Saturday 7th April 2018)
There was no game for Wanderers on the weekend of Saturday 7th April 2018 but there was frustration following the results of the other promotion contenders. Late goals for Exeter City and Notts County saw Wanderers' place in 3rd spot cut to just two and four points respectively.
The Grecians scored twice in the final 6 minutes of normal time to win 3-2 at Cambridge. While Notts County scored an 86th minute winner to secure a 2-1 home victory over Coventry City.
Accrington took a massive step towards automatic promotion with yet another 1-0 win – this time away to Colchester United - top scorer Billy Kee grabbing vital goal on 63 minutes. Stanley will seal promotion if they beat Exeter at home on Saturday (14th April 2018).
Luton returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory at Yeovil – who had two players red carded following conceding inside the opening five minutes. Wanderers travel to 18th placed Yeovil on Saturday (14th April 2018).
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RAY WILKINS - R.I.P.
(Wednesday 4th April 2018)
Sad news arrived on Wednesday 4th April 2018 with the passing of former England International Ray Wilkins, aged 61. Wilkins made one appearance for Wanderers towards the start of the 1996/97 season under Manager Alan Smith - a 1-0 home defeat to Luton Town. Best known for his time with Chelsea, Manchester United, AC Milan and QPR, his passing has provoked numerous tributes and obituaries. We pick one from The Guardian |
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FA TROPHY - 25 YEAR RETRO
(Tuesday 3rd April 2018)
Tuesday 3rd April 2018 marks the 25th anniversary of Wanderers playing their FA Trophy Semi-Final 1st Leg tie with Sutton United at Adams Park. The tie came at the same time as Wanderers were looking to secure promotion to the Football League. Take at look at the COTN retro articles, via the link below. These were originally published for the 10th anniversary.
FA Trophy/Conference Double - 25 Year Retro - Read more
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WYCOMBE 2 GRIMSBY 1
(Monday 2nd April 2018)
Wycombe came from a goal down at the break to secure three points in a battling 2-1 victory over Grimsby Town at Adams Park on Easter Monday. Martyn Woolford gave The Mariners the lead in the 15th minute when he raced down the left wing before slipping the ball past Scott Brown. Scott Kaskket saw a header ruled out for Wanderers and the visitors survived a massive goal mouth scramble - twice dening efforts from Adebayo Akinfenwa. It was Captain Adam El-Abd who eventually drew the scores level on 60 minutes, with his first goal for Wanderers, when he fired home a loose ball from the left of the penalty area after Joe Jacobson had floated in a free-kick from the right of midfield. Cheered on by a 5,000 plus home following, it was Kashket who grabbed the winner seven minutes later when he side-footed home at the far post after Jacobson's corner from the left had been headed on by El-Abd. It was no less than Wanderers deserved who stay 3rd in the table but are now 4 points clear of 4th placed Exeter City who leap-frogged Notts County after coming from behind to beat Cheltenham. County lost 1-0 at leaders Accrington with 2nd placed Luton coming from a goal down to beat Mansfield Town at Kenilworth Road 2-1.
Wycombe don't play again until Saturday 14th April when they travel to Yeovil who won 6-2 at Coventry.
Final Score: Wycombe 2 Grimsby Town 1
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