Goals from Sam Vokes and Jordan Obita saw Wycombe Wanderers defeat Burton Albion 2-1 at the Pirelli Stadium to secure the final play-off place in League One.
The Chairboys began the day outside the top six, but with Milton Keynes smashing Plymouth Argyle 5-0 at Home Park, a Wanderers win and the heavy goal swing saw the Adams Park outfit enter the play-off places.
A beautiful day in Burton #Chairboys 💪 pic.twitter.com/gSX9zWPQib
— James Richings (@James_BFP) April 30, 2022
The first-half was a tense encounter as it was the home side that had the match’s first attempt, but Oumar Niasse, who has played Premier League football for Everton, Hull City and Cardiff City, forced David Stockdale into a low save on nine minutes.
Wycombe responded also immediately as Joe Jacobson fired a long-range volley wide seconds later, but in truth, the opening period was timid.
As the Chairboys tried their best to get around the Burton defence, scores from other fixtures that would impact Wycombe’s fate were coming through.
The most notable scoring saw Milton Keynes take the lead against Plymouth Argyle.
The call before the League One final day storm...it’s going to be one hell of a day for Wycombe #Chairboys pic.twitter.com/cH15kOG3DG
— James Richings (@James_BFP) April 30, 2022
This meant that if Wanderers avoided defeat and the Pilgrims were to lose heavily, Wycombe would be in the play-offs.
The traveling army celebrated Scott Twine’s goal, before he doubled his lead moments later.
Then, in a blink of an eye, MK were 3-0 up against Plymouth with the latter having a man sent off.
All it needed was a Wycombe goal, and incredibly, it came on right cue.
Jacobson’s corner was powered in by Vokes’ head and one half of the Pirelli Stadium went crazy.
A sea of blue was bouncing up and down as Wycombe, as it stood, were heading into the top six at Plymouth’s expense.
Gearing up for what will be a dramatic day in League One with @TaylorTG_. Hope you've got enough chips to go around mate 🍟C'mon Wycombe! #Chairboys pic.twitter.com/plodG8bpto
— James Richings (@James_BFP) April 30, 2022
The goal was Vokes’ 16th of what has been a brilliant debut season at Adams Park.
His strike came just two days after he was named the club’s Player’s Player of the Season.
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At half-time, the results were going the way of the Chairboys.
Wanderers continued to boss the match as we entered in the second half, and when Garath McCleary forced Matej Kovar into a comfortable save on the hour mark, the news filtered through that MK had scored a fourth at Plymouth.
43 - GOOOOAAALLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!! SAM VOKES!!!!#BAFC #Chairboys
— James Richings (@James_BFP) April 30, 2022
🟡 0-1🔵
Twine’s third at Home Park realistically ended the Devon side’s chances of entering the play-offs, on the basis that Wycombe did not lose.
However, the goal swing was in Wanderers’ favour as they now had a better goal difference.
On the match itself, Vokes again tried his luck but his long-range shot flew just over the bar.
He's done it again! Jordan Obita taps in from close range after some terrible defending from Burton! Two-in-two for the left-back! #BAFC #Chairboys
— James Richings (@James_BFP) April 30, 2022
🟡 1-2🔵
However, there was another twist on the final day.
On 72 minutes, a Garath McCleary mistake led to a Burton attack and there was Gassan Ahadme to tap home from close range.
It was the Moroccan’s third goal of the season.
But at the same time, Twine scored his fourth for MK, which was their fifth at Plymouth to all but seal Wycombe’s place in the play-offs.
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Wycombe still needed to do a job of their own and with five minutes to go, Jordan Obita tapped in from close range after some terrible defending from the home side gifted Wanderers the lead.
The win is their first at the Pirelli since 2010, as they finish the season in sixth place.
Two more games left before a trip to Wembley is on the cards?
FT: Wycombe secure a play-off place in League One following a 2-1 win at Burton, their first at the Pirelli Stadium in fifth attempts! Book your play-off dates! #BAFC #Chairboys
— James Richings (@James_BFP) April 30, 2022
🟡 1-2🔵
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