Friday 16th November 2001
FA Cup First Round Proper
The relief was there to be seen at the final whistle after Wycombe huffed and puffed their way to a 4-3 victory over Hayes in the First Round of the FA Cup. In the end it was the pure class of Wanderers' playmakers Darren Currie and Stuart Roberts that undone the Conference strugglers but it was Wycombe who were made to struggle for extended periods of the game.
Fielding the same eleven who had beaten Peterborough six days previous, Wycombe survived a dodgy opening before finalling taking the lead. A poor punch by Martin Taylor on 2 minutes gave the home side an early chance and from that moment on it was clear that this wasn't going to be a 'walk in the park'. Darren Currie fired over in the 7th minute but Michael Simpson had to be alert to block out a Mark Molesley eight minutes later.
Gavin Holligan pulled an effort wide in the 20th minute before Wycombe's opener on 24 minutes,
Andy Rammell taking advantage of a poor headed clearance to volley home following Stuart Roberts delivery from the left wing. Any thoughts of the floodgates opening were dismissed as Wycombe conceeded twice inside four minutes. First on 36 minutes Kevin Warner stabbed home after a goalmouth scramble then Dean Clark converted a penalty after Mark Rogers had tripped Brendon Gallen in the Wycombe penalty area.
Were Wycombe ready to be rolled over? Thoughts were certainly drifting that way before, in the third minute of first half stoppage time, Darren Currie picked up play just right of center, looked up, thought about crossing, and then smashed the ball pass a bemused Hayes 'keeper from 30 yards plus. Half-time 2-2
The Hayes side still continued to give Wycombe problems after the break as Jason Cousins replaced Danny Senda and Dannie Bulman was exchanged for Steve Brown. Holligan wasted a great chance in the 61st minute after Rammell had crossed unselfishly from the right and that miss could have been costly as the home side almost scored on the break. Then in the 70th minute Taylor had to be quick to grab the ball close to his goal line.
However, by now the class of Currie and Roberts were beginning to break down the home side. An amazing piece of skill from Roberts down the left flank lead to Wycombe's third goal on 74 minutes; Rammell finishing off the Welshman's cross with his head, a second touch being necessary to make absolutely sure. Wanderers then looked to have nailed the tie when Currie finished in style on 84 minutes following a breakaway. However, Hayes weren't finished and when substitute David Warner headed home a right-wing corner a minute later, cries of 'we can see you sneaking out' from the Wycombe fans were replaced by 'we can see you sneaking in'. Wycombe survived five minutes of stoppage to go through to the Second Round and spare an almighty embarassment. Final Score Hayes 3 Wycombe 4
Hayes: : Bossu, Ryan Spencer, Grey, Sterling, Gallen, Kevin Warner, Clark, Dyer, Charles, Hodges (sub 81 Currie), Molesley (sub 79 David Warner)
subs not used: Sladen, Elverson, Harris
Yellow Cards: Gray (foul 68)
Referee:Mr P Rejer (Tipton)
Attendance:
3,475 (Wycombe 1218)
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The relief was there to be seen at the final whistle after Wycombe huffed and puffed their way to a 4-3 victory over Hayes in the First Round of the FA Cup. In the end it was the pure class of Wanderers' playmakers Darren Currie and Stuart Roberts that undone the Conference strugglers but it was Wycombe who were made to struggle for extended periods of the game.
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