Jason McCarthy marked his first league start of the campaign with the game's only goal, as Wycombe Wanderers defeated Accrington Stanley 1-0 at Adams Park.
Ahead of kick off, there was a minute’s silence for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away aged 96 on September 8.
Her death saw competitive fixtures across the country on September 10 get postponed as a mark of respect, and following the minute’s silence which was beautifully observed against the North West side, spectators stood on their feet for the National Anthem.
There'll be a minute's silence before kick-off, followed immediately by the National Anthem, as a mark of respect for Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.#WYCvACC pic.twitter.com/wF6R0KO3vy
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) September 13, 2022
On the football, it was the visitors who had the game’s first chance but Tommy Leigh’s shot on 10 minutes was easily saved by Max Stryjek.
Wanderers started to dominate the ball and began to put Stanley on the backfoot, and after Sam Vokes’ header from an Anis Mehmeti cross was saved by Lukas Jensen on 20 minutes, Gareth Ainsworth’s men just had to wait 60 seconds more to take the lead.
From the resulting kickout, Josh Scowen’s through ball managed to cut open the Accrington defence which allowed McCarthy to go one-on-one with Jensen.
Looking down over Adams Park.#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/jcoinczq0q
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) September 13, 2022
The 26-year-old, who was making his 250th career appearance, had acres of space to run in, and after taking one touch, he slotted it beyond the on-rushing keeper.
His goal was his first of the season and his first since March.
Having already got one, he nearly got a second on the half-hour mark, but his looping header from a Mehmeti cross went just over the crossbar.
21 - GOOOOAALLLLLLL!!!!! JASON McCARTHY!#Chairboys #Stanley
— James Richings (@James_BFP) September 13, 2022
🔵 1-0 🔴
Stanley were flat in the opening half but did show glimpses of what they could offer, as Shaun Whalley’s shot was saved by Strjyek, but Wanderers were comfortable as they led at half-time.
The away side started the second period with the wind in their sails as they forced Strjyek into another important save.
This time, the Polish keeper blocked Shaun Whalley’s close-range effort.
As the game went on, the play became scrappy and bitty but Wycombe will be wondering how they didn’t increase their lead.
READ MORE: John Coleman praises Wycombe Wanderers as Accrington Stanley head to Adams Park
Lewis Wing forced Jensen into a save as his long-range shot went straight down the keeper’s throat before he denied Mehmeti on two occasions.
FT: Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 Accrington Stanley.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) September 13, 2022
Jason McCarthy's goal in the first half gives Wanderers their first home league win since the opening day of the campaign. #Chairboys
In the final five minutes, John Coleman’s men threw the kitchen at the Wanderers goal.
Leigh, Whalley, Ethan Hamilton, and Sean McConville all tried their luck but Stryjek was on hand to make numerous saves, with some of the attempts going wide.
It was a nervy ending, but Wycombe recorded their first home league win of the season since the opening day of the campaign.
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