Football: Wycombe Wanderers 2 - 1 Rochdale

Wycombe scored a 94th minute penalty to earn a first win in six after Luke Matheson felled Wycombe substitute Paul Smyth deep into stoppage time. Home skipper Joe Jacobson sent Dale keeper Jay Lynch the wrong way to deny Rochdale what would have been a deserved point.

Ian Henderson netted his 12th of the season when he closed down Wycombe keeper Ryan Allsop to loop the ball into the net but the lead was cancelled out 13 minutes later; Jason McCarthy sending a cross-cum-shot over Lynch and into the net.

Brian Barry-Murphy was forced into three changes from the game at Newcastle in midweek. Robert Sanchez and Callum Camps missed out through injury whilst Aaron Wilbraham was missing on compassionate grounds. Jay Lynch, Calvin Andrew and Paul McShane were all given starts.

Rochdale started very positively and won their first corner within the opening 20 seconds. Jimmy Ryan picking up on a punch by Allsop only to be denied by a diving save from his powerful drive.

Dale took the lead when a back pass was played into the feet of Allsop and as he cleared, Henderson closed him down to divert the clearance back and into the net.

Although Rochdale’s goal seemed to have a bit of luck about it, Wycombe’s equaliser had more than a hint of luck as well. Jason McCarthy’s cross from the right looped over Lynch and into the far corner of the net.

There wasn’t much between the two sides for the remainder of the half. Calvin Andrew had a glorious chance to edge Dale in front but his header glanced wide when he should have at least hit the target.

The second half was a little more open with both sides creating half chances although neither goalkeeper was seriously stretched. David Wheeler sent a shot straight at Lynch after Dominic Gape’s initial shot was blocked whilst at the other end Norrington-Davies’ centre was slightly behind Ian Henderson who couldn’t adjust his feet and the danger was smothered behind for a corner.

Paul McShane saw a header easily stopped  after he got on the end of Jimmy Ryan cross and Andrew had another chance to get onto the scoresheet; his looping header landing on the roof of the net.

Wycombe’s main threat came through Adebayo Akinfenwa with the player known as ‘the Beast’ winning every header although the closest he came when he sent a low shot at goal that Lynch turned over the bar with an outstretched foot.

With the game heading for a draw, Wycombe won a late penalty. Substitute Paul Smyth burst into the area drawing a challenge from Matheson. Jacobson stepped up to score to end their 5 game winless run.

Matheson was inconsolable at the full time whistle as Dale’s unbeaten start to 2020 in the league came to an end.

 

Rochdale: Lynch, Matheson, McShane, O’Connell, Norrington-Davies, Dooley, MJ Williams, Ryan (Tavares 74), Keohane, Andrew, Henderson (c)
Substitutes: (not used) Lillis, McNulty, Done, Magloire, Bradley, Gillam

Wycombe: Allsop, McCarthy, Charles, Stewart, Jacobson (c), Thompson (Bloomfield 89), Freeman, Wheeler (Smyth 73), Gape (Ofoborh 87), Parker, Akinfenwa
Substitutes: (not used) Jombati, Kashket, Phillips, Samuel

Referee: Mr C Hicks
Assistants: Mr J Flynn & Mr K Morris
Fourth Official: Mr M Desborough

Attendance: 4,498 (172 from Rochdale)