A debut goal from new signing Richard Kone cemented Wycombe’s place in the last eight of the EFL Trophy, as Wanderers defeated West Ham United U21s 2-1 at Adams Park.
The Chairboys took looked bright early one as Kone nearly put the home side a goal up inside the opening 90 seconds, before the deadlock was broken moments later.
On six minutes, a Joe Jacobson corner caused a small scramble in the West Ham box as the ball found its way to Killian Phillips.
It bounced off the young Irishman's knee via a huge ricochet off Lewis Orford before it went over the goal line.
Phillips ran off celebrating what he thought was his third of the campaign, but the strike was accredited to the young Hammer.
Wycombe continued to dominate and on 32 minutes, they doubled their lead through a player who will likely be a fan favourite.
After West Ham’s captain, Michael Forbes, gave the ball away, Kone ran through on goal, shrugged off a couple of defenders and placed it beyond Joseph Anang with his left foot.
It’s the first professional goal of his career, and judging by how composed he was with the finish, this could be the first of many.
Wanderers piled on the pressure as West Ham, who went into the contest unbeaten in their last 16 matches, couldn’t get close to a sight at goal.
The second half started with Wycombe having a bombardment of shots at the Hammers goal, with David Wheeler, Kane Vincent-Young and Josh Scowen all going close.
But in the blink of an eye, the East London side pulled a goal back as Gideon Kodua’s fierce effort flew past Franco Ravizzoli on 57 minutes.
Moments earlier, the Argentine had denied the soon-to-be West Ham scorer.
Despite the visitors pulling a goal back, Wycombe nearly extended their advantage as Luke Leahy went close twice before Anang denied Garath McCleary.
The result means the Chairboys are through to the quarter-finals of the EFL Trophy for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
Up next for the Chairboys is a home fixture against Lincoln City on January 13.
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