Final Score: Wycombe 3 - Notts 0

Last updated : 26 January 2002 By
Richard Liburd returned to the Notts County midfield for the first time since October 27th. Liburd replaced Marcel Cas who was failed a fitness test. Tony Hackworth retained his place on the bench alongside Gary Owers, Craig Ireland, Stuart Garden and Paul Heffernan.

Liburd created an early chance as he outpaced Michael Simpson down the left but there was no-one in the box to get on the end of his cross.

Wycombe started the game with four senior players missing. And there were more injury woes after 15 minutes when captain Jason Cousins was replaced by Ryan. But it was Wycombe who had most of the early pressure with a series of corners.


Substitution: Cousins for Ryan.

Neither side created a serious chance until the 21st minute when Chilvers cleared off the line after Mildenhall failed to claim a cross. From the resulting corner Mildenhall dropped the ball and Roger Johnson tapped the ball in.

Wycombe Wanderers 1, Notts County 0

County's defending was woeful as Wycombe players were frequently left unmarked and no-one appeared to take responsibility.

On the half-hour Stallard charged in to the Wycombe penalty area but lost control as the keeper was able to concede a corner. From the resulting corner Stallard, side-footed the ball wide when it looked easier to score.

A few minutes later Vinnicombe went close for Wycombe but his shot was just wide.

Immediately afterwards, Stallard missed another great chance after beating two players following a great pass by Caskey but again he missed the target.

3 chances in 3 minutes for the rusty looking Stallard who has not scored since September.

Mildenhall partly atoned for his errors making a great save after 38 minutes after a Liam Chilvers' mistake gave Wycombe a headed opportunity. But the lanky keeper again failed to catch the resultant corner.

Richard Liburd was playing like a man possessed showing up in all areas of the pitch and combining well with Darren Caskey.

Notts got a final corner just on half-time but Stallard's corner was cleared off the line.

At half-time Billy Dearden was forced to reflect on a defence, marshalled by a hapless goalkeeper, that seems low on confidence with individuals reluctant to take responsibility.

Up-front Stallard is creative but unable to convert chances, while Allsopp is anonymous.

Things are looking better in midfield with Bolland, Caskey and Liburd combining well and looking very creative. Liburd is inspitrational following his return from a three month lay-off.

The second-half kicked-off on a soaking wet Adams Park pitch, but the earlier rain had relented.

Wycombe won an early corner causing concern amongst the County fans given Mildenhall's earlier errors. But the corner was taken short and the keeper was not tested.

A great Liburd tackle and run created a chance for Danny Allsopp which led to a scramble after the keeper spilled his save. The ball was cleared for a throw-in.

Notts appeared to be having the better of the second half and an outstanding combination between Stallard and Liburd led to a great chance for the striker which he spooned over the bar.

Seconds later a Brough shot failed to trouble the Wycombe goalkeeper.

Substitution: Gary Owers for Paul Riley.

Booking: Paul Bolland for a late challenge.

Notts continued to dominate the game but were unable to provide the coup de gras.

Wycombe got their second corner of the half after 20 minutes but Notts were able to clear.

Stallard was winded by a tough challenge which gave Notts a free-kick. The resulting cross was cleared for a corner which was taken by Bolland.

Notts continued to apply the pressure keeping possession but they were unable to create a clear chance until Allsopp latched on to a header from Mark Stallard but he hit the ball wildly over the bar with only the keeper to beat.

With twenty minutes to go Notts were going all out for an equaliser but Wycombe were starting to look dangerous on the break.

Good work by Stallard and Liburd led to Gary Owers testing the Wycombe keeper but his shot was week.

At this point Notts County were totally dominating the game playing some of their best football of the season.

McSporran scored on the break after Steve Mildenhall came out to clear a long ball and missed it completely.

Substitution: Hackworth for Brough

Ian Richardson missed another clear chance hitting the ball wide with a left foot shot. The score should have been 5-2 to County but they were simply unable to score.

By now the spring had gone out of the Magpie's step but Caskey created a chance for Hackworth who hit the bar as the assistant referee flagged for offside.

Mildenhall, made a good double save from Sean Devine, giving away a corner. The resulting shot was defelected for another corner.

Wycombe got a third on the break after a Mildenhall save with seconds remaining.

Substitution: Sean Devine for Gavin Holligan.

Final Score: Wycombe 3, Notts County 0

Att: 5,574