Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has shared his thoughts on the club’s recent reserve team draw at home to Southend United.
Taking place on Monday, September 5 at Adams Park, the match gave the Chairboys’ fringe and development players a run out in the behind-closed-doors game.
Finishing 1-1, Oliver Coker's close-range header gave the Non League side the lead before new signing Arnold Matshazi equalised with 11 minutes remaining.
FT Wycombe 1 Southend 1 #SUFC led through Coker on 59 mins
— Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) September 5, 2022
Charles Hagan & Luca Woodhouse replaced Adam Leathers and Ben Kaninda for #chairboys on the hour before Matshazi turned in Pattenden's cross on 76 to level the scores
He was assisted by fellow new boy, Jasper Pattenden.
Speaking on the non-competitive fixture, Ainsworth said: “It went really well.
“It was good of Southend to being a really strong team and it was a good opportunity for the development boys, and players like Daryl Horgan to show what they can do.
“Daryl gave everything in the match which means that no-one else did not have any excuses.
“He is a Republic of Ireland international; he’s played in the Championship and in the Scottish Prem and he gives everything.
“Jason McCarthy did really well as well as he drove the boys on, and that is what we’re going to do this year and that is to have these games in midweek.
Arnold Matshazi has his first #Chairboys goal, volleying home from Pattenden's cross from the right.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) September 5, 2022
1-1 against a Southend XI at Adams Park.
“We have got enough numbers now so we will use the Tuesday fixtures in the Papa John’s Trophy and then these reverse games which I like.
“And it was a great move for the goal as Jasper Pattenden gave it to Arnold Matshazi and it was a nice move to see.”
The friendly game versus the Shrimpers took place in a week which saw the Chairboys not have a competitive midweek fixture – their first free week for a month.
And the boss hopes to have more reserve games in the diary as the season goes on.
He continued: “We get plenty of time to prepare for our games but we had nine outfield players on Saturday against Fleetwood for a long time during the game so we had to rest the boys on Monday, as they needed their legs back.
Mr. Olhausen and Mr. Parbery recently officiated a behind closed doors football game at Adam’s Park between Wycombe Wanderers XI vs. Southend United. #BeMore pic.twitter.com/cW9kwR83wu
— JHGS Sport (@JHGS_Sport) September 5, 2022
“We had a reserve game on Monday against Southend which is to give minutes to the boys who didn’t play, so we have had a pretty normal week, but it’s nice now and again to not have a midweek fixture as it can make Thursday’s session a lot fresher and fuller on and exciting.”
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