SM
FCSB vs. Man United: 6 hrs 15 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
FT
League One
Jul 3, 2020 at 7.30pm UK
Highbury Stadium
WW

Fleetwood
1 - 4
Wycombe

Evans (4' pen.)
Connolly (45+2'), Madden (84')
Coyle (33'), Madden (84')
FT(HT: 1-3)
Ofoborh (2'), Cairns (6' og.), Wheeler (45+3'), Samuel (57')
Jacobson (30')

Gareth Ainsworth calm despite Wycombe Wanderers's thumping first-leg playoff win

:Headline: Gareth Ainsworth calm despite Wycombe Wanderers's thumping first-leg playoff win: ID:405069: from db_amp
Fleetwood ended the game with nine men on an awful night for the hosts.

Delighted Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth remained calm despite his team cruising to a 4-1 victory against Fleetwood in the League One play-off semi-final first leg.

Fleetwood ended the game with nine men on an awful night for the hosts, and now the Chairboys will be firm favourites to progress to the Wembley final.

Ainsworth urged caution, however.

He said: "Of course this is a great result here but we've got to be careful in the second leg (on Monday).

"It's only half-time in the tie and Fleetwood are a really good side.

"You could see that by the way they kept possession so well even when they'd gone down to 10 men.

"We've got to get it right again on Monday and we need to be performing to the same high levels.

"We have to show Fleetwood respect, though.

"We can't go into the second leg thinking this tie is over and we're going to Wembley.

"We did put in an excellent all-round effort tonight, though.

"To a man we looked sharp throughout, particularly during what was a crazy first half.

"We have only done half a job so far. We'll have to be completely focused again from the start on Monday."

A frenetic opening first half at a blustery Highbury Stadium featured four goals, two penalties – one of which was missed – and a red card for Fleetwood defender Lewie Coyle.

The Chairboys struck first after only 75 seconds through Nnamdi Ofoborh before Ched Evans equalised from the spot.

Fleetwood goalkeeper Alex Cairns then handed Wycombe the lead in the sixth minute when he could only parry Joe Jacobson's inswinging corner into his own net.

Coyle was sent off after hacking down Jacobson in the box but Cairns saved the subsequent spot-kick.

Wycombe got themselves a third goal deep into first-half stoppage time through David Wheeler.

Alex Samuel then wrapped up Wycombe's thumping win in the 57th minute, pouncing on another Cairns howler before slotting comfortably home.

Fleetwood's miserable evening was complete six minutes from time when substitute and leading scorer Paddy Madden was booked for diving in the Wycombe box, and then sent off after being carded again for dissent.

Boss Joey Barton still reckons his team should not be written off yet.

He said: "We'll be ready on Monday night and we'll win at Wycombe.

"I don't know whether it'll be by enough to get us to Wembley but we'll be giving it everything.

"They are a good side, they showed that tonight.

"They're going to be difficult to break down, but we'll go there with belief and confidence.

"We'll give it everything we've got there, and if we come up short, we come up short.

"Don't forget we've still finished in the play-off positions.

"We finished above teams like Sunderland, Ipswich, some big, big clubs.

"We've earned this opportunity.

"We didn't maximise that tonight but we are still alive in this tie and while there's a fight to be had, we'll give it everything we've got."

Fleetwood could also be in trouble from the FA after a red flare was thrown onto the pitch in the 88th minute, apparently by children from outside the stadium.

amp_article__405069 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-07-03 22:51:13:
html db last update - 2020-07-03 22:51:13 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Gareth Ainsworth

Click here for more stories about Fleetwood Town

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall27184552282458
2Doncaster RoversDoncaster2814774031949
3Notts County27138643271647
4Bradford CityBradford27138638271147
5Crewe AlexandraCrewe281211535241147
6AFC Wimbledon26136738201845
7Port Vale2712963328545
8Salford City2712783124743
9Chesterfield27109843311239
10Grimsby Town28123133845-739
11MK Dons27115114138338
12Fleetwood TownFleetwood269983531436
13Bromley2781183635135
14Cheltenham TownCheltenham2798103639-335
15Colchester UnitedColchester2771373028234
16Swindon TownSwindon29810113843-534
17Gillingham2695122427-332
18BarrowBarrow2787122731-431
19Accrington StanleyAccrington2678113343-1029
20Harrogate TownHarrogate2985162440-1629
21Newport CountyNewport2676133446-1227
22Tranmere RoversTranmere2768132043-2326
23Carlisle UnitedCarlisle2756162141-2021
24Morecambe2755172242-2020
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .