WYCOMBE Wanderers got their 2012/2013 campaign off to a flying start with a 3-1 victory at newly-promoted York City.
First-half goals from Matt Bloomfield and Sam Wood – with a wonder strike – set Wanderers on their way.
Last season’s leading marksman Stuart Beavon then opened his account for the new campaign early in the second half and, despite home striker Jason Walker pulling a goal back almost immediately, the visitors had few problems holding on to the three points.
Following his illness, Beavon was recalled to the Chairboys’ starting line up despite the recent transfer overtures from Preston North End.
Consequently, summer signing Richard Logan dropped to the bench as boss Gary Waddock persisted with the same 4-5-1 formation that exited the Capital One Cup after extra time at Watford last weekend.
Leon Johnson, meanwhile, came in at centre back and the hosts included former Wanderers’ loan signing Ashley Chambers, as well as one-time Adams Park trialist Chris Doig, in their side.
A low-key start to the match saw neither side really impose themselves on proceedings before Wanderers forged in front with the first goal attempt of the afternoon on 28 minutes.
Doig failed to clear Anthony Stewart’s low cross from the right and, when the ball fell to Bloomfield 20 yards from goal, the Wanderers’ midfielder’s low drive took a deflection off the unfortunate York defender and spun past helpless home keeper Michael Ingham.
The Minstermen came out of their shell after Bloomfield’s strike with right-back Daniel Parslow shooting wide from the edge of the box and Jonathan Smith also calling Nikki Bull into action from a similar distance.
Jason Walker then dragged a 30-yard effort wide for York before going close with an acrobatic scissor kick in the visitors’ penalty box.
But Wanderers always looked threatening on the counter attack and Beavon might have done better when his rising shot lacked the power to beat Ingham after Doig had given away possession.
In the 45th minute, though, Wood doubled the Chairboys’ advantage with a terrific 35-yard volley that sailed over a gobsmacked Ingham’s head and bulged the back of the net.
York might have reduced the deficit seconds into the restart but Jonathan Smith wastefully missed the target from ten yards after good work by Paddy McLaughlin.
Waddock’s men added a third goal, however, on 53 minutes when Grant Basey’s cross from the left was met by Stuart Lewis at the far post.
He, in turn, found Beavon, whose low angled drive beat Ingham from 12 yards.
York pulled a goal back in controversial circumstances less than a minute later when Walker appeared to be offside as Jonathan Smith’s wayward shot inside the six-yard box hit him and crossed the Wanderers line.
Shortly afterwards, Lewis tried his luck from 20 yards that Ingham parried to safety at full stretch but a York double substitution injected some urgency into the hosts.
On the hour, one of the replacements Matty Blair hooked a shot over from six yards and Bull then tipped over an edge-of-the-box effort from Parslow.
Chambers also glanced a header wide from sub Jon Challinor’s right-wing cross although, at the other end, Joel Grant went close with a curling free kick.
The match then petered out as Wanderers enjoyed their first competitive win in almost five months and ten games since the 3-1 victory at Exeter in March.
York: Michael Ingham, Daniel Parslow, Chris Smith, Chris Doig, Jamal Fyfield, Lee Bullock (Matty Blair, 55), Jonathan Smith, Paddy McLaughlin (Jon Challinor, 56), Ashley Chambers, Jason Walker, Michael Coulson (John McReady, 69). Subs: Paul Musselwhite, Lanre Oyebanjo, Danny Blanchett, Michael Potts.
Wycombe: Nikki Bull, Anthony Stewart, Gary Doherty, Leon Johnson, Grant Basey, Joel Grant (Dennis Oli, 76), Stuart Lewis, Matthew Spring, Matt Bloomfield (Dave Winfield , 87), Sam Woods, Stuart Beavon (Richard Logan, 90). Subs not used: Lee Harrison, Lee Angol, Jesse Kewley-Graham, Kortney Hause.
Attendance: 4591
Referee: Andy Haines (Sunderland).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel