 In another epic FA Youth Cup encounter Wanderers Youth Team finally said goodbye to the FA Youth Cup for another season after they were cruelly beaten in a penalty shoot-out at Oakwell. The game finished 0-0 after 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra-time and where the gods looked down on them in the previous round against Norwich City, this time it was Barnsley's youngsters turn to celebrate as they triumphed 5-4 in the spot-kick shoot-out.However, the Wycombe lads can hold their heads high after a brave performance against their so called academy betters. They were never outclassed in a game of few chances for either side and if Jonny Dixon's 88th minute header had not been cleared off the line it would have been a famous victory for The Wanderers.  This was always going to be a tough tie for Wycombe's Under 18 set-up but while the home side may have frozen a little playing at Oakwell for the first time this season, Wanderers excelled. Wycombe's youngters passed better, tackled better and defended better than their opponents and only the lack of a vital finish let them down.Overall the game was a fairly even affair. In the first period of normal time neither 'keeper had a serious save to make. For Wycombe Matty Warner went the closest when he saw a looping header saved on nine minutes and six minutes before the break he flashed an effort wide after winning the ball in midfield.  At the other end Tom Gott saved from Ashley Scothern on 28 minutes and then made the save of the half when he blocked out Griff Jones as the Tykes striker broke down the left wing. Moments before Wanderers had forced three corners in quick succession with giant central defender Luke Oliver causing all sorts of problems for the home defence.Half-time 0-0  The second-half unfolded in similar fashion. Six minutes into the half Scothern side-footed over after the ball was delivered from the right while moments later a quick exchange between Dixon and Warner down the Wycombe right ended with Billy Harding inches short of connecting with the cross.As the game went on Wycombe's confidence grew and after some neat build up play on 73 minutes John-Paul Kelly saw his lobbed effort go just the wrong side of the crossbar. Wycombe's best chance to snatch the game in normal time fell to Dixon who bravely went up with the 'keeper after a nearly disastrous back-pass. Sadly for Wycombe home defender Grant Black was there to hook the ball off the line just as the sizeable Wycombe contingent in the crowd were ready to erupt. 90 minutes 0-0  Understandably there were a few tired legs in extra-time and it showed when Jones' missied an easy looking chance at the far post on 95 minutes after a low ball in from the right. However, the same player then forced the save of the entire match when his shot saw Gott fly towards his top right corner to push the ball away for a corner.120 minutes 0-0 After seven successful spot-kicks in the previous round it was ironic that Jonny Dixon would fire the first penalty over the Barnsley crossbar. Robbie Williams, Matty Warner, Callum Selby, Pat Lynott, Griff Jones, Jack Smillie, Richard Carrington and John-Paul Kelly all scored with their kicks to make the score 4-4. Grant Black then missed the first chance to win the tie when he sent his spot-kick high into the seats behind the goal. Sudden death saw Wanderers Captain Stuart Hole's penalty saved by Craig Perry in the Barnsley goal, the home 'keeper diving to his left to cause agony for the watching crew from Wycombe. It was then left for Chris Cox to slot in the winner and earn The Tykes their dream tie away to Manchester United in the Quarter-Finals.  There were a few tears at end as the Wycombe lads realised they had missed out on a trip to Old Trafford but this performance was one that deserves to get a few heads turning at Adams Park. There was not one player you could fault for effort in this game and some of the passing skills simply embarassed the home side. You can be sure that you'll be hearing more from the Wanderers names below.
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 The Wanderers Youth Team play their home League games at Molins Sports Ground in Princes Risborough. Click here for location map of Molins Sports Ground Admission is FREE and a programme is produced for all Under 19 fixtures. The programme won the Wirral Programme Club Youth Team Programme of the Season for 1999/2000. CLICK HERE FOR FIXTURES AND RESULTS 2001/2002>>> |
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