Nick Freeman’s stunning strike secured Wycombe Wanderers’ first league win away at Milton Keynes in over 12 years, as they defeated their Buckinghamshire neighbours 1-0 at Stadium MK.
The opening half lacked any real quality as both sides enjoyed large portions of possession.
And despite Max Stryjek easily saving Nathan Holland’s strike on four minutes, it was a relatively quiet affair.
The Polish keeper was on hand to again deny Holland with a smothering stop midway through the half, before Zak Jules’ header from a Josh McEachran corner went high and wide.
No ‘sporting advantage’ today then...#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/jpXbI5ZZpi
— James Richings (@James_BFP) October 22, 2022
Wanderers did well to absorb the pressure as they found numerous of space down each flank with Garath McCleary and Anis Mehmeti running rings around Dean Lewington, Warren O’Hara and Jules.
And despite Jamie Cumming in the MK goal making fairly comfortable stops from an Alfie Mawson shot and a couple of Sam Vokes attempts, it was a moment of brilliance from Freeman that put Wycombe ahead.
Five minutes before the break, Lewis Wing’s corner was headed away to the central midfielder, he took one touch and smashed in a volley from just outside the box.
40 - WHAT A GOOOAAALLL!!! NICK FREEMAN!!!!!!#MK #Chairboys
— James Richings (@James_BFP) October 22, 2022
⚪️ 0-1🔵
His shot flew beyond Cumming and it gave Wanderers the lead.
It was his second of the campaign and Wycombe’s first in a league fixture at Stadium MK since Stuart Beavon’s goal in November 2011, in a 4-3 loss for the Chairboys.
MK were poor during the second period as they gave the ball away on numerous occasions yet incredibly, Gareth Ainsworth’s men just couldn’t take advantage.
Near the hour mark, Sam Vokes’ looping header was just about kept out by a scrambling Cumming, Chris Forino headed over and McCleary had two glorious attempts to wrap up the win.
The first saw his rocket shot from a tight angle crash into the side netting, before he inexplicably put Vokes’ lay-off wide of the mark when having the entire goal to aim more.
FT: Milton Keynes 0-1 Wycombe Wanderers!
— James Richings (@James_BFP) October 22, 2022
The wait for a league win at Stadium MK is over, as Nick Freeman’s stunner seals the points for the South Bucks team! #Chairboys
But 1-0 it finished as Wycombe made it three league wins on the bounce in over 12 months.
Up next for the Chairboys is Cambridge United at home on October 25.
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