Stephen McGinn scores sublime winner as Wycombe Wanderers beat Exeter City 1-0

For all the talk of Exeter’s free flowing football before kick-off at Adams Park, the visitors produced little going forward in a game that often lacked attacking quality.

Wycombe have now won two games on the bounce, but will face a stern test from rampant league leaders Northampton in their next match.

The Blues, who were looking for their first win at Adams Park since December 28, sported an unfamiliar formation as Marcus Bean, McGinn, Sam Wood, and Luke O’Nien formed a diamond in midfield.

The move saw Paris Cowan-Hall partner Paul Hayes up front which allowed the Wycombe captain to drop deep and have a greater influence with some fine hold-up play.

Exeter had the first sight of goal as a driven corner found Christian Ribeiro unmarked on the Wycombe penalty spot. The centre-back’s header had power but he could only guide wide of the right post.

After a dire opening ten minutes, in which both sides seemed intent on lumping the ball aimlessly forward, Wanderers produced the first moment of quality.

Luke O’Nien picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and sent a sweeping pass out to Michael Harriman. His first touch took him inside the City left-back before his powerful low drive was well saved by Bobby Olejnik at his near post.

Joe Jacobson went close to breaking the deadlock just before the 30 minute mark as he struck a rising drive from distance which went narrowly over the bar.

Jayden Stockley, who had spurned a couple of half chances already, then drew a strong save from Allsop as he raced onto a loose ball and volleyed at goal from a tight angle.

With the match meandering to towards the interval, Exeter had a penalty shout turned down as Stockley went down under the challenge of Joe Jacobson as the pair contested a high ball.

In truth it was a hopeful shout and referee David Webb was fully justified to wave away the visitor’s enthusiastic pleas.

In a game that had been utterly devoid of quality, Stephen McGinn produced a moment of class to hand Wycombe the lead shortly after the restart.

The ball was laid off to the midfielder 25 yards from goal by Hayes, and he wasted no time in hitting a perfectly placed curling effort into the top right corner. The left-footed effort was a special strike and left Olejnik with no chance as McGinn grabbed his first goal for the Blues.

With both sides struggling to create, McGinn’s 53rd minute strike was the sort of individual brilliance required to find an opener and the game soon returned to the turgid nature of the first half.

Exeter began throwing players forward in search of a leveller and substitute Ryan Oakley was close to doing so after 78 minutes.

A ball over the top found him in space with just Allsop to beat. Harriman did superbly though as he raced across from right-back to head clear as Oakley set himself to hit a dipping ball from the edge of the box.

Wycombe responded well to the scare and Sam Wood almost outdid McGinn in the spectacular goal stakes.

The winger collected a loose ball some 30 yards from goal and hit a swerving volley which flew narrowly wide of the post with Olejnik beaten.

O’Nien had a great chance to settle the home side’s nerves as he was presented with a one on one chance in injury time, but his powerful drive was well saved.

Bar going close from a corner, Exeter failed to build up a head of steam and the Blues held on comfortably to pick up their third win in their last four league games.

Wycombe Wanderers: Allsop; Harriman, McCarthy, Pierre, Jacobson, Bean, McGinn (Bloomfield 84), Wood, O’Nien, Hayes (c), Cowan-Hall

Subs not used:  Richardson; Jombati, Stewart, Sellers, Kretzschmar, Ugwu

Exeter City: Olejnik; McCready, Ribeiro, Brown, McAllister, Grant, Butterfield (c), Nicholls, Watkins (Holmes 68), Stockley, Wheeler (Taylor 82)

Subs not used: Hamon; Harley, Oakley, Moore-Taylor, Tilson

Bookings: Brown (foul on Cowan-Hall 77)

Referee:  David Webb

Attendance: 3,358 (away 390)