Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth admitted that his side ‘didn’t turn up’ as the Chairboys were eliminated from the FA Cup following a 2-0 home defeat against League Two Walsall.
Strikes from Jacob Maddox and Isaac Hutchinson sent the Saddlers through into the second round in front of a hugely empty Adams Park, as less than 3,000 spectators watched the Buckinghamshire team crash out of the competition at the first hurdle for a second straight season.
READ MORE: Wycombe Wanderers are knocked out of the FA Cup by League Two Walsall at Adams Park
Not long spoken to the boss. He's 'gutted' and 'disappointed' following the performance. He takes responsibility for the opening goal as it came from another set piece but a positive is that Scowen is 'very close' to returning. Full articles to come up this evening #Chairboys
— James Richings (@James_BFP) November 5, 2022
The Chairboys primarily resorted to long-range shots that didn’t really threaten Owen Evans in the opposition goal, and with Brandon Hanlan having a penalty saved by the keeper, it was a day to forget for Ainsworth’s team.
Speaking to the press after the cup tie, he said: “I thought we lacked a little bit of fight, a bit of desire.
“I’m gutted because it wasn’t a great occasion, it wasn’t a big turnout but we have got to make sure that we are better than the teams that are below us, especially in terms of divisions.
“We’ve got good players but we just didn’t turn up today [November 5] and I’ll look for the reasons why.
Reaction from manager Gareth Ainsworth following today's FA Cup exit to Walsall at Adams Park.#WYCvWAL
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) November 5, 2022
READ MORE: Live FA Cup duty at Adams Park: Wycombe Wanderers 0-2 Walsall - Chairboys knocked out
“We had a few changes to the team, a couple of players got an opportunity and I have got to make sure that we get back to that team that beat Peterborough here and the team that won away at Oxford.
“We need to get back to winning ways.”
Excluding commitments in the Berks and Bucks Cup, Wycombe’s remaining fixtures for the season will now all be in the league.
Up next is Forest Green Rovers on November 12.
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