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| 1993-1994 RETRO INDEX | HISTORY MENU |
| Retro - A look back on the 1993/94 season More Cup success but 'Scotty' departs to Swindon |
 Wanderers kicked off November 1993 with an emphatic home victory over Scarborough to end a slightly disappointing run of results. In front of a healthy midweek attendance of 4,289, Boro' had stalwart John Burridge in goal but he was beaten after only 22 seconds when Dave Carroll headed home. Eight minutes later Steve Guppy's inswinging corner from the right saw Matt Crossley head in at the far post to make it 2-0. Keith Scott made it 3-0 on 40 minutes when he swept home Carroll's right wing cross before 'Jesus' provided again two minutes before the interval for Scott, whose initial header hit the bar, to follow up and scramble home his 14th goal of the season. 4-0 was how the score remained as Wanderers consoldated their third placing in the table with 24 points from 14 games. Preston headed the table with 29 points with Crewe in second place a point behind.Speaking after the game Martin O'Neill was pleased with the result but emphasised the need the add players to the squad, saying "We will crumble if we do not bring people in to compliment the good players we have got. We are trying to strengthen the side but I have got three or four players out of my reach. Lots of players want to come here but clubs are asking for a few bob". The push for promotion continued the following Saturday (6th November 1993) when Wanderers made their first ever trip to Glanford Park to play Scunthorpe United who were 8th placed in the table but just two points behind O'Neill's boys. It turned out to be a hard fought point as the two teams played out a 0-0 draw in a game of limited chances for both sides. Team news at Scunthorpe saw Tim Langford return after his hernia operation while defender Darren Rogers was included on the bench on loan from Birmingham City in what turned out to be only appearance for the Wanderers. Former Wanderer Matt Carmichael provided the biggest threat from the opposition while one of Wycombe's rare assaults on goal saw Keith Ryan smash part of the advertising boards above the away end. There was more cup action the following Tuesday (9th November 1993) when Wanderers travelled to Griffin Park to play Second Division Brentford for the completion of the initial group stage of the Autoglass Trophy. Goals from Keith Scott and Glynn Creaser in the opening 30 minutes put Wanderers in the driving seat but with The Bees already down to ten men after Joe Allon was sent-off for stamping on Duncan Horton, it was the home side who clawed their way back into the game. A close range strike by Shane Westley on 53 minutes and a header by Paul Smith after 74 minutes levelled the scores at 2-2. However, it was left to Glyn Creaser to celebrate with his first goal since the West Brom game in December 1992 when he headed in the winner four minutes from time when he met Simon Hutchinson's right wing cross. The victory set up a Second Round home tie with Cardiff City.  Wanderers fans wishing to claim tickets for Wanderers FA Cup First Round meeting with Bristol Rovers on Sunday 14th November had to enter a postal ballot for the chance of one of the 1,125 allocation. The method received widespread criticism from Wanderers followers as amongst many reasons it prevented friends and family applying for tickets together. It was no surprise that the allocation didn't sell out via the ballot method and the Club had to sell the remaining tickets through the usual means and these sold out almost immediately.With tickets in hand Wanderers enthusiastic following descended on Bath for the afternoon tie and witnessed a somewhat fortunate victory for their side against a team placed fourth in Division Two. Eight of Wanderers squad had been effected by the flu prior the game and after Scott had missed a good chance within the opening minute when he slipped a shot wide of the far post, it was Rovers who looked the better side. On 25 minutes Lee Archer's 30 yard free-kick breached the Wanderers' wall and past 'keeper Paul Hyde. However, in typical fashion Wycombe responded and scored from their next attack on 34 minutes when Carroll's cross from the right saw Guppy's effort hit the bar but Langford was on hand to knock the ball in. With both sides struggling to create further chances all thoughts were on a replay at Adams Park up until the 78th minute when it was 'step forward Brian Parkin'. The Rovers 'keeper came out to clear a back pass by Worrell Sterling but Parkin scuffed his kick into the path of Carroll who controlled the ball before coolly placing a finish past the former Palace player. It was a result that was described on Rovers' matchday video commentary as being "A real pig if you're a Rovers fan". For Wycombe followers it went to make up for the previous bad luck in cup ties against West Brom and Coventry. Wycombe line-up vs Bristol Rovers: Hyde, Cousins, Horton, Creaser, Evans, Ryan, Carroll, Langford (sub 61 Hutchinson), Hayrettin, Scott, Guppy - subs unused: Hemmings, Moussaddik - Att:6,421 - Ref: M Pierce The draw for the Second Round paired Wanderers at home to the winners of the Reading/Cambridge United replay at Elm Park. It prompted Wycombe to make contingency plans for ticket allocation for a guaranteed sell-out tie with The Royals. The plans were shelved when Reading lost the replay. Other news during the month saw the Club open the Wanderers in Town Club Shop in the Octagon Shopping Centre in High Wycombe town centre. The opening was attended by players and Manager Martin O'Neill. The shop was opened as a result of a demand for souvenirs. 
However, the biggest off the pitch news came on the Wednesday following the game with Bristol Rovers when there was the shock revelation that the Club had agreed an initial £300,000 transfer deal that would take Keith Scott to Premiership strugglers Swindon Town. 26 year old Scott, who cost Wanderers £30,000 when he joined from Lincoln City in 1991, had been tracked by Town boss John Gorman since they had played Wanderers in a pre-season friendly draw at Adams Park the previous July. Gorman said "Keith is a goalscorer, that is the main reason we have brought him to Swindon. He has got a hatful for Wycombe. I just hope he can keep scoring in the Premiership"Scott was delighted with the move that would see him score on his Town debut against QPR and later at Anfield versus Liverpool. Commenting on the transfer, Scott said "I have got a few regrets about leaving Wycombe. I have left a lot of friends behind and I had a good relationship with the supporters. But once I weighed things up, it took me about three seconds to decide to sign for Swindon." However, he went on to praise his now former boss, adding "I have got the utmost respect for Martin O'Neill and I am grateful for his help in getting me this move" |
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