Today only a win would do if we were to keep alive our chances of automatic promotion. A loss and that would be mathematically impossible, leaving us to switch priorities to prepare for the play-offs; a draw and it would be pretty much the same. But win and maybe, just maybe we wouldn’t need to be wondering whether play-off semi-finals would be on CATV and making preparations for a late May trip to Wembley. I don’t mind admitting it was the first game this season I really felt nervous about.
Needn’t have worried as the outcome was something out of dreamland. Another superb defensive display to nullify Wycombe and four goals scored. But what is truly weird, we win 0-4 away at the team in second and I’m annoyed, for three reasons. First, did nobody tell the players that another goal or two might have made a massive difference. They were on the ropes and we eased off, but their goal difference is now 28 and ours 25. Even one more and it’s 27-26. As it is, Wycombe can probably get away with four points from their final two games to guarantee ending above us, rather than having to win both. Second, Wrexham scored twice and won. That means even if we beat them, a victory for them in their final game, at Lincoln, and we cannot overhaul them. Third, Aneke. The TV replays didn’t show the key moment(s), so no idea if he was unfairly treated. But for crying out loud, we’re winning 0-4 and he gets a red and presumably a three-game ban. Utter, utter stupidity.
I’m sure those feelings will fade and allow through the satisfaction from us having done a complete number on Wycombe, led by the outstanding Jones, despite him getting a yellow card after just three minutes.
The team showed one change from Northampton as Gillesphey was able to return in place of McIntyre, and as Jones stuck to the approach of having three replacement forwards on the bench he dropped out of the squad (meaning once more we had no real centre-back replacement, Watson as the only defensive alternative, Mitchell still out of favour it seems). But there was a change to those three, with Ahadme omitted in favour of Hylton. No doubt Jones had a reason for that, looking at possible requirements late in the game.
The early exchanges were scrappy beyond belief, but underneath the arial approach from both sides were important individual battles going on. Both teams were looking to establish domination that could be used for good effect later. The tone was set by the early crunching tackle from Jones which produced the yellow, which was harsh. And before the game had settled we took the lead.
After a couple of Edwards long throws Docherty found some space on the left side and sent in a low cross. Jones got to it first and prodded the ball goalwards. Their keeper seemed taken by surprise and wrongfooted, only able to get a hand to it but not keep it out. And if that had us running around shouting it got better as with only 23 minutes on the clock we doubled our advantage. A ball in from a free-kick was headed back across goal but a defender got to it first to poke the ball away, only for Berry to run onto it and hit a belter straight as the proverbial arrow into the top corner. Their keeper didn’t even move.
That was just about Berry’s final contribution as he went down injured and was replaced by Anderson, which given that we were two to the good helped to stiffen the defensive side of midfield. And for the remainder of the first half we kept them at bay quite comfortably, at least until right at the end we almost let them back in as a ball in was sliced by Jones and Gillesphey got his chest to the loose ball only to divert it just wide of the post.
The half-time stats showed they had enjoyed 60% possession but had been restricted to just one effort on goal and that well wide, against our three on target out of three. Clearly it wasn’t game over, and you fancied Wycombe to come out all guns blazing to try to get back into the game. Surely they had no choice.
Instead by the hour mark the game was over as a contest. We were the beneficiaries of one of those howlers that happen to all keepers now and then. A back pass and the guy just slipped. He did get up in time to try to clear the ball but Godden had closed it down and when it bounced kindly for him only had to knock it in from a yard out. Such a big goal – and just a few minutes later we had another. Small sent in the cross from the right and Anderson did a fair imitation of Berry to time his run well and head past their keeper, who again managed a hand to it but nothing more.
The final 30 minutes plus were slightly frustrating in that they were not surprisingly shell-shocked but despite the possible importance of goal difference we didn’t turn the screw and notch another one or two. There were some shots but when on 78 minutes Jones the boss took off Jones the player, plus Godden and Campbell, with Aneke, Hylton and Watson coming on, it was a fair indication that the priority was to avoid any silly red card for (for Jones) and to protect a couple for the games to come.
Mannion pulled off a good save diving to his left and a Wycombe guy might have converted at the far post. But it was all rather academic, as was Aneke’s shot which was saved and a decent effort from Hylton which was blocked. Until three minutes into five of stoppage time the cameras showed Chuks tussling with one of their guys and the next thing both of them on the ground holding their faces. The replays failed to confirm what had happened, but the ref and/or his assistants had clearly seen something and when Aneke got to his feet he saw red.
I can’t begin to imagine what Jones, and his teammates, will have said to Aneke. I’ve no doubt he is sorry, but there’s just no reason to do something to give the ref a decision to make. Unbelievable. It means that now without Leaburn, Kanu and Aneke our forward options for Godden are restricted to Hylton, Mbick and the out of favour Ahadme.
OK, but let’s not let that overshadow what was a magnificent performance, of course one helped by the goals. The Wrexham win can’t be ignored, given what it means for our chances of getting second. But we’ll worry about that, and the game against them on Saturday, starting tomorrow. For now let the focus be on Jones the player and those around him, for they delivered an astounding win.