In Wycombe’s home defeat to Barnsley on Wednesday night at Adams Park, several scraps broke out amongst the players.
In the first-half, Callum Styles was judged to have clashed with former Barnsley man Jason McCarthy, and even though it was something of nothing, this led to a tense battle in Bucks.
Strong tackles from both sets of players were flying in and despite the ground being empty of supporters, you could hear the cheers and jeers from both benches when challenges went in.
However, with Wycombe feeling hard done by due to going 1-0 down through a soft penalty on the stroke half-time, and with the game effectively over at 2-0, with 17 minutes left, the Tykes’ captain in Alex Mowatt was shown a straight red card foul a late challenge on Scott Kashket, which caused several players to exchange a word or two.
Wycombe Wanderers' Uche Ikpeazu clashes with Barnsley's Michal Helik, who was given the armband after captain, Alex Mowatt, was sent-off for a foul on Scott Kashket (John Walton/PA)
Referee Darren Bond did his best to calm the situation down, but moments later, Joe Jacobson and Toby Sibbick clashed, which resulted in another melee, with both sets of players getting involved.
On the clashes, Ainsworth said: “At the end of the game, all the lads embraced each other in a mark of respect.
“They really did because everyone was grabbing each other by the throat and some tackles coming in and some real heightened emotions and I love that.
“It was almost like a rugby game where you’ve got that respect for each other and at the end of the game full-blooded, blood, sweat and tears.”
On the officiating, he continued: “I thought the officials were quite poor but I’m going to say that because we had a penalty given against us.
READ MORE: Live at Adams Park - Wycombe Wanderers 1-3 Barnsley - As it happened
“But Valérien Ismaël will probably say the same thing
“I’ve already heard him say that our bench were claiming for a lot but he can’t be chucking that around in glass houses.
“I’m really proud of the lads and thought it was a cracking game, unfortunately, a defeat but we go again Saturday.
“This lot are in the play-offs and rightly so, they’re a good side, Ismaël got them playing really well, a fantastic high line and a combative type of football.
Joe Jacobson clashed with Barnsley's Toby Sibbick which led to another scrap. Both players were booked after things calmed down (John Walton/PA)
“But we’ll go again Saturday, the boys will need a rest and I’m sure there are a few knocks, but we’ve got a deep squad now and I’m looking forward to Saturday.”
Wycombe travel to St Andrew’s on Saturday to take on Coventry City – a side Wanderers have only beaten once in 11 attempts.
This includes the current run of losing their last nine matches against the Sky Blues.
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