The Cherries kicked off into what had become an increasingly blustery and biting wind after the pre-kick-off deluge had subsided. It quickly became clear that any hopes us fans had of the team being up for this game after the disappointment of Accrington were sadly wrong. We passed the ball nicely at times with Brian Stock being integral in the some nice exchanges in midfield but which broke down as we got into shooting range. Stephen Purches had a couple of his trademark runs but seemed afraid to have a shot – a malaise that many of his team mates were also suffering from. Too often we were attempting to over-elaborate and the attack would break down to loud groans from the large away support, who in the first half really got behind the team.
Whilst all this was going on, Wycombe were sensing that maybe they had a chance and were starting to look, well, more dangerous than the Cherries! The only goal of the first half came in stoppage time: Broadhurst got in a terrible tangle yards out from the edge of the penalty area, gave away a free kick and was booked for his pains. The kick was whipped in to the far post where Browning slipped allowing Chris Vinnicombe to slot the ball back across from the dead ball line where an unmarked Keith Ryan pounced, giving Neil Moss no chance. The half then ended in controversy with a fan on the pitch either remonstrating or commiserating with Mossy and an object appearing to be thrown at one of the Wycombe players.
HT: 1-0
We thought that the Second Half would surely bring about an improvement from the Cherries and actually force the Wycombe keeper into making a serious save. Informed sources tell me that he did actually do this from Brian Stock with a shot that was palmed over, but I think the lack of pre-match alcohol must have severely retarded my memory. (Wycombe used to be an away-friendly club – not any more, with about 400 Cherries fans let in to the ground at about 1.45 because there was nothing else for them to do!).
Anyway back to the game: Feeney was trying his best and getting no service. Soupa disputed a decision, the most energy he expended in the whole 90 minutes! The Wycombe keeper then bonded extremely well with the away fans by trying to get Feeney booked for a 50/50 challenge. By this time I was expecting Wycombe to get a second and sadly they did. On the 75 minute mark a corner was whipped in by Currie leaving unmarked Luke Moore to score with a glancing header making it Wycombe 2 Cherries 0.
The remainder of the game passed with precious little to cheer about bar Alan Connell getting a short but welcome runout. He looked lively but how fit is he? By the time the final whistle went a lot of the away support had melted away. The majority of the ones that remained did not even deem fit to applaud the team, a decision I totally understood.
No imagination, precious little pride, no cutting edge and a lack of discipline plus shoddy defending. I could go on but I don’t want to depress myself! Several players need to take a good hard look at themselves after too many matches of consistent under-achievement – Soupa and Wade spring easily to mind!
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AFCB: Moss, Purches, C.Fletcher, Cummings, Broadhurst, Browning, O'Connor, Elliott (Connell 79), Stock (Thomas 79), S.Fletcher, Feeney (Hayter 68)
Subs not used: Maher, Buxton
Rob Mann, Newton Abbot