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Wycombe Wanderers 2 |
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Cambridge United 1 |
Saturday 7th August 2004
Football League 'League Two' |
Nathan Tyson scored twice as Wanderers got off to a winning start to the 2004/5 Football League season with a 2-1 victory over Cambridge United at Adams Park. Tyson scored the winner on 81 minutes when he some how managed to flick Roger Johnson's through ball past the U's keeper. However, the former Reading striker was injured in the process and had to be carried off with a blow to the ribs. Tyson had fired Wycombe into the lead in the 55th minute but Jermaine Easter equalised on 70 minutes. Igor Latte-Yedo was red carded for United on 76 minutes for a challenge on Wycombe debutant Ian Stonebridge.
In typically heatwave opening day conditions Tony Adams gave Wycombe First Team debuts to six of his summer signings in the starting line-up and with later substitutions this figure rose to eight. Three of those eight, Gary Silk and late substitutes Shahed Ahmed and Russell Martin were making their Football League debuts. There was a surprise return in the starting XI for Keith Ryan after his pre-season injury problems, while later in the game Danny Senda made only his second appearance since a knee problem had seen him miss all but one of the pre-season friendlies. Captain 'Rhino' is starting his 15th season with The Wanderers and was outstanding in midfield.
It was Tyson who had Wanderers best chance during a tame first-half. However, it was after the break that Wycombe eventually began to pressure the Cambridge defence. On 54 minutes on loan Southampton defender Mike Williamson sent a downward header past the post following a cross from the right but within a minute Wycombe were ahead. The opening goal cam after a Stonebridge pass found Tyson down the left channel and the the former Reading man finished with precision past Ruddy in the United goal from the edge of the box.
Stonebridge saw an effort tipped over eight minutes later before United responded by forcing Frank Talia to push after an effort on 65 minutes and the ever reliable Stuart Nethercott to be first to loose ball and avert the danger. However, on 70 minutes Wanderers' defence was caught wanting when a through ball from midfield by Ashley Nicholls found Easter running through just right of centre and he finished cooly with a low shot past the dive of Talia.
The game eventually turned back in Wycombe's favour in the 76th minute when Latte-Yedo pulled back Stonebridge some 40 yards plus from goal and referee Joe Ross deemed it to be a clear goal scoring opportunity and issued a straight red card. With Latte-Yedo down the tunnel events continued to heat up when Roger Johnson and Webb got involved in a needless off the ball confrontation and both earned a yellow card.
Wycombe now sensed a winner was possible and Clint Easton curled over a free-kick on 80 minutes before Tyson's bravery a minute later earned all three points for Tony Adams new look side. Johnson's ball into the left channel looked innocous but Tyson had other ideas as he leaped with a scissor kick to flick the ball over the advancing Ruddy. Tyson was eventually carried off after treatment and Wycombe had done enough to get the 2004/5 season off the a winning start.
Speaking on BBC 3 Counties radio after the game Tony Adams said he was very happy with the result and commented on the debutants "I think the pick of the bunch was Ian Stonebridge but that's hard because there are a lot of guys who have worked really hard. Joe (Burnell) stuck to it but ran out of steam because of the weather. Gus (Uhlenbeek) was excellent and Gary Silk got stuck in. But I'm pleased for Ian. He had a fantastic debut, making the goal and looking dangerous up with Nathan (Tyson), I think that is going to be exciting for us."
Final Score - Wycombe 2 Cambridge United 1
Wycombe: Talia, Silk, Johnson, Nethercott, Williamson, Uhlenbeek, Burnell (sub 92 Martin), Ryan (sub 72 Senda), Easton, Stonebridge, Tyson (sub 86 Ahmed) - subs not used: Marshall, Williams
Bookings: Johnson (ungentlemanly conduct 79)
Scorers: Tyson (55,81) |
Cambridge: Ruddy, Angus, Duncan, Latte-Yedo, El Kholti, Nicholls (sub 84 Quinton), Walker, Guttridge, Tudor (sub 77 Tann), Webb, Chillingworth (sub 58 Easter) - subs not used: Marshall, Gleeson
Bookings: Webb (ungentlemanly conduct 79) - Red Card: Latte-Yedo (prevented clear goal scoring opportunity 76)
Scorers: Easter (70)
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| Referee: Mr Joe Ross |
Attendance: 4,726 (612 away end) |
| The official attendance compares to 4,826 (581 away) for the opening day of the 2003/4 season against Stockport County. The gate was higher than eight of Wanderers' Division Two games at Adams PArk in 2003/4. |
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