Wycombe Wanderers have been eliminated from the FA Cup in the first round after falling to a 2-0 home defeat against League Two Walsall.
Sam Vokes had the first chance of the tie as his thunderbolt from 20-yards was tipped over by Owen Evans, and from the resulting corner, Ryan Tafazolli bundled his attempt wide.
This was as good as it got for the Chairboys as Walsall took the match at the scruff of its neck.
30 - It's been all Walsall. Maddox, Hutchinson, and White all force Stryjek into three great saves. On top of this, Knowles fires over. Wycombe are struggling. They can't keep hold of the ball, but it remains goalless.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) November 5, 2022
🔵 0-0 🔴#EmiratesFACup #Chairboys #Saddlers
Aiden White, Jacob Maddox, and Isaac Hutchinson all forced Max Stryjek into three brilliant stops, as Michael Flynn’s side put Gareth Ainsworth’s team on the back foot.
Tom Knowles also fired over before Maddox had the game’s best chance.
On 26 minutes, he managed to find himself clean through with Stryjek only to beat, but the Polish shot-stopper made himself big and denied the former Chelsea and Southampton man his second of the season.
41 - Goal. Walsall. And it's from ANOTHER corner. That's five goals conceded in the last four games from set pieces. Maddox the scorer.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) November 5, 2022
🔵 0-1 🔴#EmiratesFACup #Chairboys #Saddlers
Liam Gordon nearly got himself on the scoresheet just after the half-hour mark, but he incredibly fired high and wide from six yards with the goal at his mercy following a fantastic low cross from Maddox.
But Walsall didn’t have to wait long to find the goal that they deserved, and it came from Maddox, who was causing the Wanderers backline endless problems.
HT: Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 Walsall.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) November 5, 2022
Maddox's brilliant strike puts the Saddlers in front, however, it's from another set piece which means Wycombe have conceded five goals from set pieces in the last four games. #Chairboys
With four minutes left of the opening period, White’s deep corner was brilliantly smashed in by the 24-year-old on the volley, for his second of the season.
The goal was also the fifth Wycombe had conceded from a corner kick in the last four home games.
Wanderers needed to improve in the second half and they were given a glorious opportunity to equalise.
Sullay Kaikai tricked his way into the box and won the Chairboys a penalty, however, Brandon Hanlan’s spot-kick was pushed away by Evans.
62 - Goal to Walsall. Hutchinson doubles the away side's lead.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) November 5, 2022
🔵 0-2 🔴#EmiratesFACup #Chairboys #Saddlers
The missed penalty summed up Wycombe’s afternoon as they struggled to offer any real threat at the Walsall goal, and on 62 minutes, the tie was over.
Maddox was once again involved in the Saddler’s attack as his low cross evaded everyone in the home box, and there was Hutchinson to smash home from close range in front of the visiting fans.
It was his third of the season and his third in the last seven matches.
FT: Wycombe Wanderers 0-2 Walsall.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) November 5, 2022
The Chairboys are out of the FA Cup as League Two Walsall progress. Wycombe were very poor this afternoon but take nothing away from Walsall, they were brilliant. Will be speaking to Ainsworth shortly. What are your thoughts? #Chairboys
This means Wycombe have failed to win any of their last four home games.
They also haven't won a FA Cup tie in the first round since 2017/18, and they have done that at home since 2006/07.
Up next for the Chairboys is Forest Green Rovers away on November 12.
Attendance: 2,319 (520 away)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here