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August 2018 News Archive
All the news stories from August 2018
CANARIES AT HOME IN LEAGUE CUP
(Thursday 30th August 2018)
Wanderers will host Championship side Norwich City in the Football League Cup Third Round after the draw was made on Thursday evening. Wycombe have faced the Canaries on the three previous occasions in competitive matches. The first meeting was a FA Cup Third Round tie at Adams Park in January 1994 - a brace from Chris Sutton earning the then Premier League side a 2-0 victory. The other two meetings came in 'League One' during the 2009/10 season when a Norwich managed by former Wycombe boss Paul Lambert were successful on both occasions. The Third Round tie will take place on Tuesday 25th September 2018. Ticket prices have since been set at £10 adults and £5 for seniors and under 18's - noting that the Family Stand will not be open for this game unless 'demand dictates'.
TWO IN ON LOAN
(Thursday 30th August 2018)
Wanderers made two dips into the loan transfer market on Thursday (30th August 2018) with signing of defender Charlie Fox from QPR and striker Fred Onyedinma from Millwall. 19 year Fox played for Wanderers in pre-season and has been with the QPR youth accademy since the age of 8, signing his first pro-contract in the summer of 2018. He was allocated No.27 in the Wycombe squad. Meanwhile, 21 year old Onyedinma will be known to many Wanderers followers having netted eight times in 25 loan appearances from Millwall during the second-half of the 2014/15 season. He was allocated No.19 in the Wycombe squad. Both loans run until 1st January 2019.
INTO LEAGUE CUP 3rd ROUND
(Tuesday 28th August 2018)
Wanderers progressed to the Third Round of the Football League Cup for only the second time in their history following another spot-kick victory, this time over Forest Green Rovers at Adams Park. Following a relatively drab first 45 minutes, Scott Kashket fired Wycombe into the lead on 55 minutes only for the visitors to level two minutes later through Dayle Grubb. It then looked like Anthony Stewart's goal on 74 minutes had won the tie for Wanderers when he reacted first to a Sam Saunders shot that had struck the left post. However, a lapse in the Wycombe defence saw Carl Winchester net from close range to take the match to spot-kicks with an 86th minute equaliser.
Wanderers went first with the spot-kicks and netted with consecutive kicks through Joe Jacobson, Nick Freeman, Jason McCarthy and Stewart. With Christain Doidge having seen an earlier spot-kick saved by Ryan Allsop, Saunders had a chance to seal victory only for his kick to be saved. But Allsop guessed correct again to keep out Paul Digby's fifth effort for Rovers and send Wycombe through to the Third Round for the first time since the tie with Doncaster Rovers at Adams Park in October 2006.
Team news for the tie with Forest Green had seen Gareth Ainsworth make six changes to the side that had won at Bradford the previous weekend - Akinfenwa, Kashket, Thompson, Bean, Saunders and Freeman coming in for Michael Harriman, Matt Bloomfield, Dominic Gape, Bryn Morris, Randell Williams and Craig Mackail-Smith. New signing Alex Samuel was given his debut in a Wanderers shirt when he replaced Akinfenwa on 79 minutes. Ryan Allsop was named in goal due to a reported injury to Yves Ma-Kalamby.
Final score: Wycombe 2 Forest Green 2
BRADFORD 1 WYCOMBE 2
(Saturday 25th August 2018)
Goals from Craig Mackail-Smith and Bryn Morris secured Wanderers' first League win of the season - a 2-1 victory at Bradford City provoking boos from the home fans but delight for Wycombe followers.
Wycombe were good value for all three points, taking the game to the opposition from the off and eventually taking the lead on 28 minutes when Joe Jacobson's inswinging corner from the right was headed in at the far post by Mackail-Smith from point-blank range. The lead was doubled seven minutes after the re-start when Wycombe worked the ball down the right before Dominic Gape's low ball into the box saw Morris's shot deflect past Richard O'Donnell in the home goal. A stoppage-time goal from Luca Conville proved to be mere consolation for a home side who knew they were well beaten.
Victory at Valley Parade came after Gareth Ainsworth made one change from the starting XI that had performed so well in the 1-1 draw at Plymouth the previous Tuesday - Sido Jombati coming in for the injured Adam El-Abd. New signing Alex Samuel didn't feature in the matchday squad but was involved in the pre-match warm-ups and will probably be involved in the midweek League Cup meeting with Forest Green Rovers at Adams Park.
Final score: Bradford 1 Wycombe 2
STRIKER ON SHORT TERM DEAL
(Thursday 23rd August 2018)
Wanderers announced on Thursday 23rd August 2018 the signing of striker Alex Samuel on a 'short term deal'. The 22 year old moved to Adams Park on a free transfer having previously played for Stevenage during 2017/18 - making 28 First Team appearances and scoring on 4 occasions. The Welsh born player originally played football in his home country for Aberystwyth Town and then Swansea City but had also had loan spells with Greenock Morton (in Scotland) and then back in Wales for Newport County. He has also represented the Welsh U18 side during the 2011/12 season. He made his debut in a 2–1 win over Republic of Ireland in February 2012, scoring the winning goal. He was allocated the No.25 in the Wanderers squad and signed a deal until 20th January 2019.
Alex Samuel - new player profile added
UK LIVE STREAM DEBUT
(Tuesday 21st August 2018)
The 'League One' match at Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday evening was the first time live stream only coverage had been legally available in the UK for Wanderers followers. The pay-per-view stream was offered as part of the iFollow service that, as from the start of the 2018/19 season, is allowing non-Saturday (14.45 to 17.15) and non-Bank Holiday games in the Football League to be made available on a match by match basis. Games chosen for live coverage on Sky Sports will also not be available, plus those clubs not part of the iFollow agreement. The cost per game has been set at £10 for full HD coverage with syncronised commentary from local radio - BBC Three Counties' Phil Catchpole and Geoff Doyle provided the words for the game at Plymouth. Looking ahead for further Wanderers midweek fixtures with potential live streaming coverage in the UK, only the game at Fleetwood Town on Tuesday 2nd October 2018 is currently scheduled for the iFollow treatment. The game at Accrington on 27th November 2018 will not be covered as Stanley are not part of the iFollow service.
PLYMOUTH 1 WYCOMBE 1
(Tuesday 21st August 2018)
Matt Bloomfield scored a 84th minute equaliser as Wanderers extended their remarkable unbeaten record at Home Park with a 1-1 draw against Plymouth Argyle. Wycombe then came within an inch or so of snatching a dramatic victory having conceeded a goal in the early stages.
Team news for Wycombe at Plymouth had seen two changes from the side that had lost at home to Bristol Rovers the previous Saturday - Anthony Stewart returning in defensive and Bryn Morris joining the midfield. Making way for the duo was Curtis Thompson and Adebayo Akinfenwa. Michael Harriman moved in a forward role to accomodate the change in formation. Elsewhere, Sido Jomabti returned from injury on the bench.
Wanderers got off to poor start when Freddie Ladapo lobbed an indecisive Ryan Allsop in the 4th minute to give the home side the lead. However, Wanderers grew into the game by the interval and despite losing defender Adam El-Add to injury just before the break, Gareth Ainsworth's side went on to boss possession in the second-period. However, those efforts looked to have been in vain until the introduction of Scott Kashket and Akinfenwa as substitutes with around 20 minutes remaining. It was Akinfenwa's hold-up play with six minutes left on the clock that led to Bloomfield drilling in an angled shot from the left of the box to level the scores. Then with 90 minutes showing on the clock Kashket all but scored when he sent in a low shot from the right of the box that struck the far post and then agonsingly rebounded back across the face of the goal and into grateful arms of Argyle 'keeper Matt Macey. Craig Mackail-Smith also had the ball in the net from close range in stoppage but the offside flag had already been raised and there were no complaints about the decision.
The draw against Argyle left Wycombe undefeated in any game at Home Park since April 2004 - a run of seven games at the Devonish club. Matt Bloomfield (who played in that game back in April 2004) has now scored for Wanderers in each of the 16 season's he has been with the Club.
Final score: Plymouth 1 Wycombe 1
WYCOMBE 1 BRISTOL ROVERS 2
(Saturday 18th August 2018)
An 82nd minute strike from substitute Scott Kashket was not enough to salvage any points for Wanderers in their League meeting with Bristol Rovers at Adams Park. The visitors ran out 2-1 winners having bludgeoned Wycombe's shakey defence with two goals inside the opening 20 minutes. A mis-clearance by Curtis Thompson from a Rovers corner after 3 minutes fell straight to defender James Clarke who fired past Ryan Allsop to make it 1-0. Their lead was doubled when Wycombe failed to deal with another corner and former Wanderer loanee from Millwall in 2004/5, Tony Craig, drilled the ball home at the far post.
Team news for Wanderers saw Gareth Ainsworth make just three changes from the starting XI that had beaten Northampton in the League Cup the previous Tuesday - this coming after the Wycombe Manager had made seven changes for the tie with The Cobblers. Coming in against Rovers were goalkeeper Allsop, Joe Jacobson and Adebayo Akinfenwa - replacing Yves Ma-Kalamby, Sido Jobati (injured) and Nick Freeman.
It was Akinfenwa who had Wanderers best chances in an improved second-half showing but he headed over twice before Kashket netted with a neat strike with eight minutes remaining. In the dying moments Kashket had shot tipped wide, while Akinfenwa had a header cleared off the line but a draw would have been rough justice for Rovers.
Final score: Wycombe 1 Bristol Rovers 2
FOREST GREEN IN LEAGUE CUP
(Thursday 16th August 2018)
Wanderers were drawn at home to Forest Green Rovers in the Second Round of the Football League Cup after the draw was made prior to the Sunderland v Sheffield Wednesday tie on Thursday evening. The tie against the 'League Two' side will take place on Tuesday 28th August 2018. Rovers beat Swindon Town away 1-0 on the First Round thanks to Tahvon Campbell goal. The meeting with Wycombe will be their first ever time at the Second Round stage having lost at the first hurdle to Milton Keynes in their debut season in the Football League (2017/18). The competition remains regionalised (North and South) at this stage with Premier League sides entering who are not involved in the European competition. The remaining Premier League clubs join at the Third Round stage.
INTO LEAGUE CUP 2nd ROUND
(Tuesday 14th August 2018)
Wanderers progressed to the Second Round of the Football League Cup for the first time in seven years following spot-kick victory over Northampton Town at Adams Park. The scores were level at 1-1 after 90 minutes and under new rules the tie went direct to spot-kicks with Wanderers winning 7-6 - Adam El-Abd netting the winner after Yves Ma-Kalamby had saved the previous kick from Jordan Turnbull.
A Wycombe team with seven changes to the one that had lost at Doncaster the previous weekend took the lead on 50 minutes when Randell Williams headed home from six yards from Craig Mackail-Smith's cross from the left. The Cobblers rallied in the closing stage but were denied an equaliser on 80 minutes when Ash Taylor saw a penalty saved by Ma-Kalamby after new signing Jason McCarthy had fouled Jack Bridge. However, two minutes minutes later substitute Sam Hoskins netted to take the tie to a shoot-out.
The draw for the Second Round takes place at around 7pm on Thursday (16th August). Wanderers previous game at that stage was a 4-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest at Adams Park in August 2011.
Final score: Wycombe 1 Northampton 1
FOOTBALL LEAGUE 25 YEAR RETRO
(Tuesday 14th August 2018)
The 2018/19 season marks the 25th anniversary of Wanderers' debut in the Football League. The game at Carlisle United on Saturday 14th August 1993 began 25 memorable years of unbroken Football League status. COTN takes a look at the stats from more than 1,100 games plus a revisit of articles first produced by COTN for the 20th annivesary.
Wanderers - 25 years in the Football League - Read more
DONCASTER 3 WYCOMBE 0
(Saturday 11th August 2018)
Wanderers conceeded three goals inside the final 35 minutes as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers in the second game of the 2018/19 season. It was the first defeat on the road for Gareth Ainsworth's side in the League since losing 3-2 at Coventry City in December 2017.
Team news for Wycombe at Doncaster saw from the side that drew with Blackpool on the opening day of the season. Bryn Morris was called in to make his Wanderers debut have signed on loan from Shrewsbury in the week - replacing Paris Cowan-Hall who picked up an injury versus Blackpool. Sido Jombati was recalled into defence to replace Michael Harriman - serving a one match suspension for his red card against Blackpool. New signing Jason McCarthy was named amongst the substitutes alongside side former Southampton teammate Dominic Gape. Scott Kashket was involved in the pre-match warm-ups but was not named in the matchday squad.
The opening goal came on 55 minutes when 19 year old Leeds United loanee Mallik Wilks beat Ryan Allsop at the near post with a long range effort. The goal came moments after Wanderers had a clear chance when Randell Williams' cross was too high for Matt Bloomfield to convert. The real damage was done in a two minute spell where Joe Wright netted on 78 minutes from six yards before former Millwall striker John Marquis made it 3-0 with a second attempt after Allsop had blocked his first effort.
Final score: Doncaster 3 Wycombe 0
McCARTHY BACK WITH WYCOMBE
(Thursday 9th August 2018)
It was announced on 9 August 2018 that 22 year old defender Jason McCarthy had joined Wycombe on a three year deal from fellow 'League One' side Barnsley for an 'undisclosed fee'. The former Southampton trainee had previously spent the 2015/16 season on loan at Adams Park while still with The Saints - making 39 First Team appearances, scoring twice and picking up the Supporters' Player of the Season award. Having returned to Southampton he spent the following season on loan at Walsall before signing a three year deal with Barnsley in the summer of 2017. His return to Wycombe came as a big surprise having spent just one season at Oakwell and was seen as a major coup for Wanderers. He was allocated the No.26 in the Wycombe squad for the 2018/19 season and will line-up alongside former Southampton teammate Dominic Gape.
Jason McCarthy - new player profile added
MIDFIELDER ON LOAN
(Tuesday 7th August 2018)
It was announced on Tuesday 7th August 2018 that Wanderers had signed Shrewsbury Town midfielder Bryn Morris on loan deal runing until 2nd January 2019. The 22 year old joined The Shrews in January 2017 having been released from childhood club Middlesbrough. He made two First Team appearances for Boro during the 2012/13 season but was subsequently loaned out to Burton Albion, Coventry City, York City and Walsall before his permanent move to Shrewsbury. He was part of The Shrews team that narrowly avoided relegation at the end of the 2016/17 season and was then a significant part of their team that lost out in the play-off final the following campaign. He was allocated the No.17 in the Wanderers squad.
NO DEBUTS ON OPENING DAY
(Saturday 4th August 2018)
The home game with Blackpool saw Wanderers field no debutants on the opening day of the Football League season for the first time in 19 seasons. The last occasion was the season opener against Burnley on 7th August 1999 under Manager Lawrie Sanchez. Wanderers seem to have come full cycle on the number of debutants on show. There were just single debuts way back on the opening days of the 1993/94 and 1994/95 seasons under Martin O'Neill - Duncan Horton and Cyrille Regis respectively. The numbers escalated in the mid 2000’s, with a high of nine debutants on the opening day of the 2007/8 season against Accrington. From seasons 2010/11 through to 2014/15, a Wycombe debutant also scored on the opening day of the season. Although there were no debutants against Blackpool, Ryan Allsop was making his second debut having previously played on loan for Wycombe during the 2015/16 season.
WYCOMBE 0 BLACKPOOL 0
(Saturday 4th August 2018)
Wanderers kicked-off their 2018/19 Footballl League campaign with a 0-0 draw against Blackpool at Adams Park. Wycombe, who fielded no debutants for this first time on the opening day of the season for 19 seasons, had the majority of chances to take all three points. Adebayo Akinfenwa twice went close, while Michael Harriman's long range effort in the second period was tipped over by visiting 'keeper Mark Howard. Loanee Randell Williams was also denyed by Howard in the latter stages but Wycombe finished the game with ten men after Harriman was shown a second yellow card for a fairly tame midfield challenge on Nathan Delfouneso. Harriman will now serve a one match ban for the visit to Doncaster on Saturday 11th August 2018. The visitors hardly troubled Ryan Allsop in the Wycombe goal but came closest to scoring of either side when Chris Taylor's free-kick struck the Wycombe crossbar on 42 minutes.
Final score: Wycombe 0 Blackpool 0
SQUAD NUMBERS REVEALED
(Friday 3rd August 2018)
Wycombe have confirmed their squad numbers for the 2018/19 season. The squad totals 20 players (including one loanee). This compares to 23 players (including one loanee) at the start of the 2017/18 season, 23 for the 2016/17 season (including one loan and Gareth Ainsworth). There were 20 players (including one loan) at the start of 2015/16, 24 (two loans) at the start of the 2014/15 campaign and 27 players (no loans) at the start of 2013/14. Full list as follows:
1. Ryan Allsop (new signing) 2. Sido Jombati 3. Joe Jacobson 4. Dominic Gape 5. Anthony Stewart 6. Adam El-Abd 7. Sam Saunders 8. Marcus Bean 9. Craig Mackail-Smith (was No.25) 10. Matt Bloomfield 11. Scott Kashket 12. Paris Cowan-Hall 16. Michael Harriman 18. Curtis Thompson (new signing) 20. Adebayo Akinfenwa 21. Darius Charles (new signing) 22. Nick Freeman 23. Nathan Tyson 24. Randell Williams (loan) 30. Yves Ma-Kalambay
Latest squad and numbers

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