WYCOMBE WANDERERS 0-1 COVENTRY CITY
City: Burge, Willis, Phillips, Clarke, Finch, Pugh, Swanson, Thomas, Daniels, Coulibaly (Spence 79), McQuoid (Maddison 67). Subs Allsop, Haynes, Lawton.
Wycombe: Ingram, Jombatti, Pierre, Mawson, Broomfield, Lewsi, Rowe, Kretschimar, Holloway (Cowan-Hall 64) McClure (Craig 62). Subs: Richardson, Wood,Walker.
HT WWFC 0-0 CCFC FT WWFC 0-1 CCFC
ATT 1685
Goals Josh McQuoid 66
Referee M.Russell
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Coventry City are through to the second round of the JPT with a 1-0 win at Wycombe Wanderers.
It was an easy journey down the M40 to Buckinghamshire for this Johnstone Paint Trophy First Round and there was a good turn-out of 520 City supporters with a lot from London and the Home Counties and plenty of noise behind the goal at Adams Park, a ground which suits the needs of a club that is owned and run by a supporters Trust and one which retains a lot of their non-league values, such as giving the away supporters a bar and handing out team-sheets.
The Sky Blues fielded a vastly changed team from the one that had drawn against Swindon Town on Saturday. In came Jordan Clarke, Danny Pugh, Jack Finch, Danny Swanson, Billy Daniels and Mo Coulibaly in a side that seven of the City team as products of the Academy. Had City have been back at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday, then the team might have been stronger but Pressley fielded a young team against a Wycombe side which was also changed from their last game.
City in all white, were soon, having to defend a Kretschimar shot in the opening seconds at the end where the City support were, and then a Holloway header.
In the ninth minute, Wycombe had a free kick and the ref was urged by the City support to get his vanishing spray out. He didn't and Mr Russell was abused as the free kick sailed over the bar and in to the away end.
After the City support had made their feeling known about the departure of Carl Baker from the club and the songs for all the old players came out, Matt McClure, you may remember him, from the 14th minute chance he curled round the post, wasted a great chance.
City went up the other end and won a corner but that was cleared but in the 28th minute, Coulibaly got round the keeper and fired towards goal. Unfortunately, there was a defender on the line and the ball was cleared away by Lewis, who for me, had a fine game for the side managed by Gareth Ainsworth who also plays for Sunday League side Finchampstead.
The Chairboys fashioned two more chances, causing some of the City support to start having a go at the players. One could argue that this was harsh to due to the age of the City team but one could also argue that at times, some of the football was not what one would expect players who have been under the guidance of Greg Rioch and Richard Stevens.
Pressley continued to ball out instructions and was told to get back in his technical area by the fourth official. Winning every second ball, saw Wycombe win a 40th minute corner which Burge who had pulled off some good saves, caught.
Then Josh McQuoid got through and struck the bar. That drew applause from the City support but Wycombe went straight down the other end and McClure and Lewise went close.
Steven Pressley was seething, doing a poor impression of the Incredible Hulk on the edge of his technical area and one can only wonder what he said at half time.
But no changes were made at the break and the second half started slowly with Mawson being cautioned.
In the 58th minute, the City supporters finally got to see Mr Russell produce his spray, which is being used in this competition this season. Hardly, vanishing as it was still visible over two minutes later, but it did the job.
Eight minutes later and the City support was going mad when a great move started by McQuoid and involving Swanson and Pugh saw the ball played into Josh McQuoid who fired neatly past Ingram to give City the lead.
That was the last from McQuoid, who was replaced by James Maddison, after he had stopped celebrating with the City support.
Wycombe, whose manager Gareth Ainsworth had made two changes before the goal, went close with a volley from Lewis with three more corners ensuing for the home side ensured before a 75th minute header hit the bar and bounced down allowing the City defence to clear.
City were under the cosh and were thankful to a 78th minute corner going wide to get some breathing space.
Kyle Spence who has been impressing for the U21's and the U18's came on for the last ten minutes, replacing Coulibaly, who had failed to impress most of the City support with his uncanny ability to lose possession and allow himself to be closed down rather easily for a player his side and the City support, who were singing “1-0 To The U’9’s” gave him some great backing as he got through but was ruled offside.
Wycombe went close at the end but City battled on and booked their place in the next round.