Anis Mehmeti scored a brilliant individual goal as Wycombe Wanderers drew 1-1 away at Fleetwood Town.
However, the game got off to the worst possible start for the Chairboys as they were a man down inside 10 minutes.
10 - Red card for Garath McCleary. An off-the-ball elbow on Drew Baker. Wycombe down to 10. #FTFC #Chairboys
— James Richings (@James_BFP) September 3, 2022
🔴 0-0 🔵
Wanderers keeper Max Stryjek knocked the ball forward and before it landed, Town’s Drew Baker was on the ground clutching his face.
The Fleetwood bench were incandescent with rage, most notably their manager Scott Brown, who indicated that there had been an off-the-ball incident.
READ MORE: Live at Highbury Stadium: Fleetwood 1-1 Wycombe: McCleary red carded and Muskwe scores
Referee James Oldham then went straight to Garath McCleary and brandished the red card which the Jamaican did not object to.
The ball was with Stryjek when the incident happened so I didn't see it, but Scott Brown and the Fleetwood bench went crazy. Been confirmed in the press box that it was an elbow. McCleary didn't complain and went straight down the tunnel. #Chairboys #FTFC
— James Richings (@James_BFP) September 3, 2022
His moment of madness was the fourth sending-off of his career but his first since September 2016.
In all, it was Wycombe’s first red card since February.
Fleetwood failed to capliste on their man advantage as they rarely tested Stryjek in the Wycombe goal.
In fact, it was the Chairboys who had the game’s best two chances and they both fell to Jordan Obita.
First, the left-wing back’s crisp half-volley was brilliantly tipped away by Jay Lynch, before the keeper again denied the former Reading player who struck a fierce free-kick.
Wycombe continued to grow and a moment of pure brilliance for Mehmeti gave Wanderers the lead just before the break.
After controlling the ball from mid-air, he ran and weaved into the Fleetwood box and expertly tucked it beyond Lynch into the far-left corner.
39 - GOOOOAAALLLLL!!!!!! AND GUESS WHO! @AnisMehmeti! #FTFC #Chairboys
— James Richings (@James_BFP) September 3, 2022
🔴 0-1 🔵
It was his fourth of the season, and it’s another for the scrapbook.
The second-half was a cagey affair that the home side bossed.
Wanderers started to tire due to the McCleary red card, and with 23 minutes to go, Fleetwood got their goal.
After an almighty scramble took place in the Wycombe box, the ball fell kindly to Admiral Muskwe who buried his shot into the top of the net.
67 - Goal. Muskwe. All square.#FTFC #Chairboys
— James Richings (@James_BFP) September 3, 2022
🔴 1-1 🔵
The Zimbabwean played 19 times for the Chairboys in the latter parts of the 2020/21 season, where he scored three times.
He showed no allegiances to his former employers, as he celebrated his first Fleetwood goal on what was his debut for the club.
Wycombe nearly won it in the final few moments but Lewis Wing’s shot from distance was saved by Lynch, as it finished all square.
Up next is Port Vale at home on September 10.
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