Wycombe Wanderers made it six games unbeaten as they defeated a poor Doncaster Rovers side 2-0 at Adams Park.
Goals in each half from Garath McCleary and Anis Mehmeti secured the points for the Chairboys in what was a routine victory against the struggling Yorkshire outfit.
A beautiful day at Adams Park for @daRealAkinfenwa’s dedicated match against Doncaster #Chairboys #DRFC pic.twitter.com/Aqa4rPGQaE
— 🏴 James Richings 🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) April 2, 2022
Ahead of kick-off, the much loved Adebayo Akinfenwa was given a standing ovation, a guard of honour, and a gift from the club for his services to the Chairboys.
The 39-year-old also enjoyed a wholesome moment with the opposition fans prior to the match starting, where he posed for photos and spoke to the supporters.
Akinfenwa scored the first goals of his EFL career for Doncaster back in 2004.
Doncaster’s fans say goodbye to @daRealAkinfenwa at Adams Park, a lovely gesture #Chairboys pic.twitter.com/NLHbONKhTH
— 🏴 James Richings 🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) April 2, 2022
On to the match, Wycombe were by far the better side and showed their dominance throughout the opening periods.
Within the first five minutes of the contest, Jonathan Mitchell was on hand to push away a flying Sam Vokes header, before Daryl Horgan’s bending effort from 18-yards went just wide of the keeper’s goal.
Rovers will be applauding in memory of Richard Bailey during the 54th minute of today’s game.#WYCvDON https://t.co/axP0KIiNrt
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) April 2, 2022
Between the Wycombe attacks, Doncaster did get forward on the rare occasion as Josh Martin’s 20-yard thunderbolt was tipped over by David Stockdale on 10 minutes.
But when you’re at the bottom, it doesn’t rain, it pours and after nearly going 1-0 up, the Yorkshire side fell behind to Garath McCleary’s eighth goal of the season.
Anis Mehmeti’s close-range cross was easily headed in by the former Reading man, meaning that all of his eight goals this season have come at Adams Park.
The goal really got Wanderers’ tails up as they smelt blood against the side who had scored the least amount of league goals this season.
Josh Scowen’s thunderous strike from 30-yards was tipped over by Mitchell, Ryan Tafazolli’s header was deflected wide and Vokes had a header blocked off the line.
Wanderers were running riot.
18 - GOOOALLLLLLL!!! It's another home goal for Garath McCleary! Mehmeti's cross is easily headed in and Wycombe lead! That's his eighth of the season, and they've all been at home! #Chairboys #DRFC
— 🏴 James Richings 🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) April 2, 2022
🔵 1-0 🔴
Doncaster got forward near the end of the half as Matt Smith’s low drive forced Stockdale into a good save, whilst Tommy Rowe and Kyle Knoyle both went close, but Wycombe went into the break 1-0 up.
The second-half was a lacklustre affair with both sides rarely testing Stockdale and Mitchell in their respected goals but on 64 minutes, Doncaster had three great chances to get themselves back in the game.
Firstly, Martin’s long-range shot was pushed away by Stockdale, before the goalkeeper did well to gather a Knoyle cross, and seconds later, Tommy Rowe hit a shot over.
75 - GOOOOALLLLLL!!! ANIS MEHMETI!!!!! His bending effort from inside the box was too hot for Mitchell to handle, and Wanderers are 2-0 up! #Chairboys
— 🏴 James Richings 🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) April 2, 2022
🔵 2-0 🔴
READ MORE: 'Life will keep us together' - Gareth Ainsworth's emotional message to Adebayo Akinfenwa
But the game was sealed with 15 minutes to go as Mehmeti’s bending effort from inside the box was too hot for Mitchell to handle, as the ball trickled over the goal line.
The goal was his seventh of the season and his first for a month.
Stockdale produced two amazing saves in stoppage time to keep his fifth clean sheet in six games, as Wycombe are now six unbeaten in the league.
Up next is an away trip to Cambridge United on April 5.
Attendance: 5,943 (250 away)
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