Match Report Chesterfield v Wycombe

Wycombe continued their impressive run of results with a third consecutive victory, beating Chesterfield 1-0 at Saltergate. This was also the Chairboys’ third clean sheet in a row and they have opened their league season with ten points from a possible twelve.

The goal came in the fourth minute, with Mike Williamson’s firm header going in off the underside of the bar from Tommy Doherty’s well taken free kick. Striker Scott McGleish followed up to force the ball into the net but the linesman was already indicating that the ball had crossed the line. It was good to see a well worked goal from a set piece as this has been an area in which Wycombe have underachieved in recent seasons.

The early goal dictated the pattern for the rest of the first half, with Wycombe defending their lead and being restricted to breakaway attacks. McGleish came the closest to increasing Wycombe’s lead with a 20 yard shot in the 32nd minute, which Carson in the Chesterfield goal dived to his right to save.

For all of their efforts to find an equaliser in the first half, the closest the home team came to scoring was a Jamie Ward shot on the stroke of half time which Shearer in the Wycombe goal saved low to his left.

For the first twenty minutes of the second half Chesterfield attacked strongly without any joy, only to appear to run out of steam and allow Wycombe back into the game. The Chairboys thought they had doubled their lead in the 76th minute when the lively Gavin Grant forced his way to the bye-line and crossed for substitute Magno Vieira to ram the ball home. Unfortunately the linesman ruled that the ball had gone over the line prior to Grant’s cross and ruled the goal out. From where I was sitting I have to say he was correct (for once).

Chesterfield’s best efforts on goal in the second half were an acrobatic volley from Ward which went wide and a free header which fell to Kevin Austin from which he really should have scored.

The Spireites will play worse and win and will be grateful when the injured Jack Lester returns.

This was a battling performance from Wycombe, reminiscent of some of last season’s resilient defensive displays. Following on from last week’s impressive attacking display against Lincoln, the signs are all encouraging at the moment for Wanderers’ fans. This is a team which is still gelling as a unit and should only improve with time. To have bagged six points more than we had at this stage last season, whilst they are still getting used to each other, is cause for optimism.


Special Mentions

Scott Shearer :
Third clean sheet in a row and apart from a flap or two early in the second half, withstood some good Chesterfield pressure today which can only help his confidence.

Leon Johnson :
Typically solid and commanding performance from this stylish defender.

Tommy Doherty :
All Chairboys should pray that we keep Doherty for the foreseeable future. There surely isn’t a classier midfielder in this division.


Man of The Match

Mike Williamson :
Not because of the goal, but because of the flawless defensive display he put in. Majestic in the air and solid on the ground, this was the Williamson we remember and undoubtedly his best performance for some time.