Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth has admitted that he is ‘not afraid in giving young kids their debuts’, after Olly Pendlebury made his league bow in the victory over Accrington Stanley.

The 19-year-old, who joined this summer from Reading on a free transfer, was originally acquired to play in the development squad.

However, with Dominic Gape and Curtis Thompson out injured and with David Wheeler testing positive for Covid, the former England Under 16 player was given his EFL debut in Wanderers’ 2-1 victory against Stanley in their first match of the season.

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He played the whole 90 minutes and was a key part in breaking down the Stanley attacks.

Ainsworth said: “I’ve told him to keep the shirt as today was a big, momentous occasion for him.

“He’s on the winning side, played 95 minutes and I think he was shot at the end as I think he’ll realise what it takes to be in the league as a professional footballer.”

“Pendlebury is supposed to be in the development squad, we’ve had injuries to Gape, Thompson and Wheeler, the three players that could play in that position, he’s had to come in.

“I am not afraid in giving young kids their debuts.”

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His brilliant performance was one of many as Wycombe held on to win their first game back in League One in a rocking Adams Park.

After Garath McCleary scored a brace inside 15 minutes, Wanderers could have easily scored more but Sam Vokes’ first-half header was cleared off the line, Daryl Horgan fired wide on several occasions and substitute Adebayo Akinfenwa forced debutant keeper James Trafford into a save.

And despite Matt Butcher scoring late on to give Stanley hope, Wycombe held onto the win – their first at home against Accrington in 12 years.

Ainsworth continued: “I think we should have scored more.

“We created plenty of chances but when we are on top, I think it’s really important to take them.

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“Football is a strange game because when the mental side kicks in the second half, you start to look back at the chances you missed, you start to think if you can hold on and in the typical Wycombe way, the last five minutes were very nervy, but I have got some good players and I am very proud of them.

“I have also got some good players to come back as well and I am looking forward to next week against Cheltenham.

“That’s a good result for us as I truly believe Accrington will pick up some good points this year with the team that they have got, but I am glad that we have got that 12-year hoodoo off us now, but it’s only one game hopefully we’ll get many more points.”

Wycombe are next back at home on August 21, when they face Lincoln City.