Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth has remained positive despite his side’s recent 2-1 defeat at Derby County.
Despite bossing the early stages and taking the lead through Anis Mehmeti in the first half, the Rams hit back with two goals from Conor Hourihane in the final 20 minutes to steal the points away from the Chairboys.
The first strike was from range that flew into the top left-hand corner, whilst the second was a first time rocket that whizzed past Max Stryjek, who made over 10 saves in the contest.
15 - GOOOOAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!! ANIS MEHMETI AGAIN!!!! #Chairboys #DCFC
— James Richings (@James_BFP) September 17, 2022
🐑 0-1 🪑
Wanderers nearly picked up a point in the final seconds when substitutes Ali Al-Hamadi and Sullay Kaikai were denied by Joe Wildsmith in the Rams goal, but it wasn’t meant to be and Wycombe suffered their first loss in four games.
Speaking on the match, Ainsworth said: “Any other day, those could go in but at the same time, Derby could have had four or five as well.
“I can’t just see it through rose-tinted glasses.
“We got at them early and could have been ahead by a couple of goals, went a goal up and we tried to hold on but it didn’t happen.
HT: Derby County 0-1 Wycombe Wanderers.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) September 17, 2022
Anis Mehmeti's fifth goal of the season is all that separates the two teams. Wanderers started off the stronger, but the Rams have bossed the final 15 mins.#DCFC #Chairboys 🐑🪑
“Sometimes you have got to say fair play to Derby County, they are a top team with some great players and their quality showed.”
READ MORE: Former Wycombe youngster joins Non League club following summer release from Wanderers
On the two goals that Hourihane scored, the boss added: “The finishing is the difference.
“He [Hourihane] is of Premier League quality and that’s a Premier League finish.
“We’ll take a leaf out of that and find these corners when we get these chances, but, I’m not taking the work rate away from my boys.
“The subs were great, the starting 11 were great, the fans were great and thank you to them, but we will go again against Sheffield Wednesday.”
85 - Hourihane gets a second. Derby lead.#DCFC #Chairboys
— James Richings (@James_BFP) September 17, 2022
🐑 2-1 🪑
Sullay Kaikai’s appearance in the loss was his first outing in a Wycombe shirt since the 1-1 draw away at AFC Wimbledon on Easter Monday.
And although his cameo was a short one, his attempt in the dying embers of the match nearly rescued a point for the Chairboys.
Ainsworth continued: “He [Kaikai] will need a few more games under his belt and that shot was his first touch this season and he could have made the headlines, but the keeper saved it.
FT: Derby 2-1 Wycombe
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) September 17, 2022
A first defeat in five as the hosts come from behind to take all three points.#DERvWYC pic.twitter.com/ZeDuUJV23U
“But I am proud of the boys and always will be.”
Up next in the league is Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on September 24.
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