Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 Crawley Town: FLW reports as Fred Onyedinma scores on homecoming

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Football League World

·5 October 2024

Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 Crawley Town: FLW reports as Fred Onyedinma scores on homecoming

Wycombe Wanderers took on Crawley Town at Adams Park, for the visitor's first game under Rob Elliot

Matt Bloomfield's Wycombe Wanderers beat Crawley Town 1-0 at Adams Park on Saturday afternoon, thanks to a goal from returning hero Fred Onyedinma

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Wycombe looked to get on the front foot early on. Richard Kone headed wide from a corner after just three minutes of play. It was Crawley who had the first shot of the game though, as Will Swan forced Franco Ravizzoli into a low save to deny him.

The visitors started the first ten minutes the better of the two sides, but Kone forced another corner which Jojo Wollacott had to catch after Caleb Taylor's headed effort.

Despite some early scares, Wycombe took the lead after 25 minutes. Garath McCleary's low driven cross was prodded home by Onyedinma on his fourth full Chairboys debut. Jubilant scenes at Adams Park as the returning hero fired himself off the mark in the quarters once again.

Both sets of fans were questioning the decision-making of referee Neil Hair. The visiting supporters were adamant they should've had a penalty when Josh Scowen tripped Swan in the box. The home supporters also felt aggrieved by the amount of rough and tumble the referee was allowing.

Crawley hit the bar ten minutes from half-time through Harry Forster after Josh Flint skinned captain Jack Grimmer and found the number seven in the Wanderers box. The strike rattled the frame of the goal and bounced clear.

The first-half ended with the hosts in the lead. A fair reflection of proceedings so far, but Bloomfield's men needed to find another goal to find security in this match.

The Red Devils' first 45 minutes of football under Elliot was far from awful, but they still had nothing to shout about despite their efforts thus far.

No changes were afoot for either side come half-time, as both managers opted to remain with their starting players for the opening exchanges in the second-half.

Bloomfield's side should've doubled their lead early on. McCleary was once again involved, as an exquisite backheel set Dan Harvie through on goal. He then squared the ball, but Matt Butcher was unable to fire home as his shot was a poor one. A promising opportunity once again though, as the hosts carved their newly promoted opponents open.

Wycombe's first changes came in the 62nd minute, as the goalscorer Onyedinma and Kone were withdrawn. Daniel Udoh and Bez Lubala took their places respectively.

Elliot responded by making his first subs as Crawley manager. He introduced Charlie Barker, Panutche Camara, and Jack Roles for Joy Mukena, Forster, and Bradley Ibrahim.

The second-half was far from a classic so far, as Wycombe seemed to be cruising towards three points whilst their opponents just couldn't fashion anything of note.

Elliot freshened up his attack, bringing on Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Tola Showunmi to try and throw something different Wycombe's way in the last fifteen minutes. Luke Leahy made his highly anticipated return from injury, replacing Cameron Humphreys who was steady in midfield once again.

The game entered stoppage time with the home fans willing their team over the line with five minutes added on. "We're on our way to the Championship" the Chairboys faithful sang.

Ravizzoli had to make a full stretch catch to deny a late Crawley effort. Thankfully, the Chairboys were able to cling on to win the match 1-0. Showunmi then held on to Joe Low and caused a brawl which resulted in a yellow card for both players.

The Blues are now seven unbeaten in League One, climbing to fifth place in the table. Crawley dropped to second bottom as new manager Elliot's team put on a brave but rather uninspired display.