Wycombe 3,

York 0.

ANTHONY Stewart wasted no time endearing himself to Wanderers fans after his season in the cold, by scoring after just eight minutes on his return to Adams Park.

The defender could have been forgiven for being fearful of the reception he would get from the Blues faithful after snubbing the club’s offer of a new contract 12 months ago and walking out on the club.

But he need not have worried. He was given a tremendous reception by the supporters before the kick off, and just eight minutes later he wore a smile as big as the divide that once separated him from Wycombe Wanderers after putting the club ahead

Marcus Bean’s clipped ball into the box was knocked into his path via the head of a York defender and Stewart, who looked for the non-existent offside flag, showed striker-like qualities to clip the ball over advancing keeper Scott Flinders to give the Blues a dream start to the season.

York could have been level moments later though when the dangerous Reece Thompson, on his first start after having signed from non-league Frickley again got away down Wycombe’s left and sent in a teasing cross which the diving James Berrett directed just wide with his head.

Thompson was continuing to make life uncomfortable and Aaron Pierre’s heart must have been in his mouth when the tricky forward went down in the box after the pair went shoulder to shoulder.

Wanderers survived that appeal and might have doubled their lead on 24 minutes but debutant Luke O’Nien chose the wrong option as he fired a decent opportunity high and wide into the crowd after Aaron Amadi-Holloway had left him in charge of the situation.

Two minutes later and Amadi-Holloway did assume control to devastating effect to double Wycombe’s lead. City defender Keith Lowe made a crunching tackle in the box but Amadi-Holloway was onto the ball in a flash, he took one touch to get the ball out of his feet and another to crash the ball into the back of the City net.

It was just reward for Wanderers’ bold approach which was in stark contrast to the cautious words coming out of the club in the build up to the season.

Manager Gareth Ainsworth raised eyebrows by setting the club a modest 61-point target this year, some 23 points fewer than last season’s record-busting total as he looked to dampen expectations ahead of a campaign where many of their League Two rivals have been brandishing the chequebook.

But there was no sign of a such caution when he handed in his team-sheet which revealed an   aggressive three-man attack which saw new signing Garry Thompson start alongside  Amadi-Holloway and skipper Paul Hayes.

But while the front three gelled, there were some alarm bells at the other end where Wanderers’ normally watertight defence were sometimes caught at sixes and sevens.

Vadaine Oliver headed a Luke Summerfield free kick just wide when he was awarded the freedom of the Adams Park penalty box, while earlier Russell Penn also directed his header wide from another dangerous Summerfield set-piece.

York continued to get their heads on many of the high balls into the Wycombe box but Matt Ingram, who looked an imposing figure in his all white kit, was rarely troubled in the first period as the Minstermen failed to get their good opportunities on target.

Wycombe were much more clinical though. And the team which showed five changes from the side that just 77 days since was beaten on penalties by Southend United in the Wembley play-off final zipped about with their usual high energy on Adams Park’s new pitch.

And it was their now common-place nuisance values that brought them their third goal. Amadi-Holloway made a real pest of himself to put Stephane Zubar under pressure, forcing the York defender to lift the ball over his own keeper from outside the box for Wycombe’s third. Zubar tried to cover his embarrassment by claiming he was fouled but the referee was having none of it and the game was as good as done and dusted as early as the 58th minute.

Wanderers eased off and former Wycombe defender Dave Winfield had a header cleared off the line  while Ingram had to dash off his line to clear an under-hit Bean backpass. Pierre than needed to make two fantastic back-to-back tackles in his own box to deny Thompson as York looked to salvage some pride.

Wycombe did not heed the warning though and seconds later Pierre again had to put his body on the line to stop Thompson. That double whammy effectively ended York’s response and the outcome was never in doubt as Blues coasted home in the sunshine.

They finished the afternoon by bringing Ryan Sellers on for his professional debut as Wycombe equalled their best start to a new season in front of 3,688 fans. Sellers showed a brief glimpse of what he can do with a deep cross to the far post but Amadi-Holloway got his feet in a tangle and spurned the chance to add the gloss on what was a thoroughly professional start.

New boys Thompson and O'Nien slotted straight into the side showing the work ethic that Ainsworth demands as Wanderers continued where they spent most of last season - setting the standards and setting the pace.