Wycombe Wanderer began the 2024/25 League One season with a 3-2 away defeat to newly-promoted Wrexham.

In what was the first match between the two sides in 16 years, the Adams Park side were second best for large parts of the opening period.

Despite having the first attempt of the contest after just one minute, as Kieran Sadlier’s tame effort was easily saved by Arthur Okonkwo, the half belonged to the Welsh team.

On nine minutes, Wrexham took the lead through Max Cleworth, as the young defender stabbed home from an Elliot Lee corner.

The strike came one day after his 22nd birthday, with the goal being only his second for the club in the league.

Wycombe rarely threatened with Richard Kone, Garath McCleary and Luke Leahy all having attempts that didn’t cause the Dragons’ backline too many issues.

It was a relatively slow start to the opening match of the campaign for the Chairboys, as Wrexham bullied the Blues in nearly every department.

And this dominance led to the hosts getting their second as on the half-hour mark, the Hollywood-owned team made it two thanks to a brilliant volley by Jack Marriott.

The Racecourse was raucous with the noise being made for the team in red.

Wanderers began to improve in the last 10 minutes of the opening half, as Josh Scowen and Daniel Harvie both hit the bar, whilst Kone also went close.

Wycombe took their good spell at the end of the first period into the second, as they managed to pull a goal back.

Harvie’s cross caused mayhem in the box before it fell to the young Ivorian in Kone, who fired home.

It gave Matt Bloomfield’s side the hope they desperately needed.

The shift of the fixture completely changed after Wanderers' goal, as Wrexham began to feel the pressure.

Misplaced passes, unnecessary fouls and a lack of communication allowed Wycombe to have a foothold in the game despite being a goal down.

The introduction of Daniel Udoh and Jaiden Bartolo, who both made their league debuts, added more pace to Wanderers' attack and caused more problems for Wrexham.

However, despite several half chances, Wycombe just couldn’t find that all-and-important equaliser.

And in the final five minutes, the former Burnley, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland man, Steven Fletcher, wrapped up the victory with a brilliant bending finish from the edge of the box.

Sam Vokes did get on the scoresheet with two minutes left, but it was too little, too late to rescue a point.

The result means Wycombe sit in the bottom four of the table. 

Up next for the Chairboys in the league is Birmingham City at home, with an away trip to Northampton Town taking place on Tuesday night.

Attendance: 13,214 (1,091 away)