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Chester City 2
Saturday 12th March 2005
Football League 'League Two'
Celebrations after Gus Uhlenbeek's goal Three goals inside a blistering eight minute second-half spell sent Wycombe on their way to a 4-2 victory over Chester City in the 'free game' at Adams Park. Once again Wanderers had to come from behind after Michael Branch punished Ian Stonebridge's error before shooting a low shot past Frank Talia in the 25th minute. Wycombe levelled two minutes before the break when Nathan Tyson shot on the turn inside the box following a long throw from the left by Clint Easton. The goal riot began in the 51st minute when Tyson converted from close range to notch his fifth goal in two games. Six minutes later it was 3-1 when Gus Uhlenbeek angled in a shot from the right of the penalty area after Matt Bloomfield's original effort had been cleared. Then on 59 minutes Stonebridge's centre from the left was thumped into the roof of the net from 12 yards by Captain Roger Johnson. The visitors made the score 4-2 with two minutes remaining after a harsh looking handball against Uhlenbeek. Branch sent Talia the wrong way from the resulting spot kick but it was very much a consolation goal on a day which left the home following in the 8,000 plus attendance with plenty to smile about and hopefully reason to return.
John Gorman stuck with the same starting XI that had beaten Lincoln 3-2 the previous week. Steve Claridge remained on the bench after missing training during the week with chest pains. Mike Williamson returned to the squad following a spell out with flu and granted leave due the birth of his partner's first child.
With a cup-tie style atmosphere present, Wanderers began in trademark style. Stonebridge (twice) and Joe Burnell went close in the opening dozen minutes before the now obligatory sucker punch threatened to dampen the day. Stonebridge played the back from the centre of midfield and ex-Wolves striker Branch finished clinically past Talia.
However, Wycombe kicked into life again in the minutes leading up to the break. A goalmouth scramble on 42 minutes was eventually cleared by the Chester defence but a long throw from the left moments later by Clint Easton was headed on and Tyson shot on the turn to ripple the back of the City net and level the scores. Wanderers nearly took the lead with the next attack when an exquiste run by Uhlenbeek down the right saw him beat two defenders before delivering a cross that Burnell headed against the crossbar to leave the former Bristol City man holding his head in disbelief. Seconds before the half-time whistle, Bloomfield's looping cross from the right was deflected onto the top of the crossbar.
Half-time 1-1
The 'woodwork' came to the visitors rescue four minutes after the restart when Tyson's cross from the right saw Stonebridge race in at the far post but see his headed rebound off the upright. Two minutes later Wycombe were ahead when Bloomfield cut in from the left channel. The resulting cross was then returned to Bloomfield by a Chester defender before the second ball found Tyson who got the vital touch to make the score 2-1. Tyson was then all lined to complete his a successive hat-trick from the penalty spot when Stonebridge looked to have been felled in the box by Phil Bolland. Referee Mark Warren took a different view and booked Stonebridge for diving.
A minute later that incident was put to the back of the mind when Bloomfield came in again from the left and when the ball sprayed out to the opposite side of the penalty area, Uhlenbeek was on hand to drive in a shot into the far corner of the Valley End net - cue a third set of manic celebrations from the Wycombe players and supporters. The goal fest was completed in the 59th minute when the Chester defence was breached again, Tyson crossing from the right before Johnson thumped home Stonebridge's return from the left.
Roger Johnson thumps in Wycombe's fourth goal
It was well and truely game over and the match ended with Wycombe turning down the pressure and ending with a bizarre midfield combination of Mike Williamson, Jonny Dixon, Gus Uhlenbeek and Ian Stonebridge. However, despite Chester's late consolation, nothing could take away from a thoroughly successful PR day for the Club.
The result lifts Wycombe to 8th place in the table with 57 points - level with 7th placed Lincoln City and one point behind Darlington in 6th. Wanderers have nine games remaining (5 away, 4 home). Only one is against teams currently above them in the table with bottom placed Cambridge United the next opponents on Saturday 19th March.
Final Score - Wycombe 4 Chester City 2
Speaking after the game to BBC Three Counties Radio, Wycombe Manager John Gorman described the day as an "excellent day at the office", before adding "I would have just liked to enjoy it even more. When we were 4-1 up it should have been party time. We were playing so well, we should have gone on to get five or six. But to fair, the opposition never laid down. We got a bit tired. The three midfielders, who were all maginificent, we all off the pitch in the latter stages and I think that was vital for us because they won us the game."
Wycombe: Talia, Senda, Johnson, Nethercott, Easton, Uhlenbeek, Ryan (sub 75 Williamson), Burnell (sub 67 Claridge), Bloomfield (sub 77 Dixon), Stonebridge, Tyson - subs not used Perpertuini, Williams
Bookings: Uhlenbeek (21 dissent), Stonebridge (56 ungentlemanly conduct), Bloomfield (67 foul)
Scorers: Tyson (43, 51), Uhlenbeek (57), Johnson (59)
Chester City: Wayne Brown, Edmondson, Bolland, Hope, Hessey, Vaughan, Drummond, Davies, Michael Brown (sub 61 Sestanovich), Foy, Branch - subs not used: MacKenzie, Walsh, O'Neill, Booth
Bookings: Bolland (45 foul), Drummond (63)
Scorers: Branch (25, 88 pen)
Referee: M Warren Attendance: 8,124 (away end 440)
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