WYCOMBE WANDERERS’ reward for beating Millwall 3-1 in the Checkatrade Trophy last night is a trip to Bloomfield Road to face Blackpool on the week commencing January 9.

The third-round tie represents a good chance for Wycombe to progress further in the competition and get a step closer to a day out at Wembley.

The Tangerines currently sit one place below The Chairboys in League Two and after Wycombe’s superb recent form, Gareth Ainsworth’s men will be feeling confident.

CHAIRBOYS boss Gareth Ainsworth expressed his delight at seeing his Wycombe side win their sixth game in a row, embarking on their best run in ten years.

A brace from Garry Thompson and an Adebayo Akinfenwa penalty gave Wanderers an excellent win against a team in ninth in League One.

With eight changes from the win at Chesterfield being made, Ainsworth was very pleased that the players who came in were able to replicate the form of those not playing at The New Den last night.

He said: “I am really proud and it was a well-deserved win as well.

“There wasn’t a lot in the game but the guys I brought in did very well and the performance was very good, second half especially.

“Apart from the goal we defended really well and I thought we created as many chances as Millwall, if not more.”

Ainsworth hailed the impact of Akinfenwa, Thompson and debutant Max Muller, who played for an hour at the heart of the Wycombe defence with Will De Havilland.

“Once again, Bayo has made a huge impact. He is that focal point and I believe he is playing some of the best football of his career,” added Ainsworth.

“I am also so pleased for Thommo. He has grafted really hard and got two good goals which have put us in the hat for the next round.

“Max handled it really well and he has come through the test. I think we saw some glimpses there of what to expect from him in the future.”

Matchwinner Thompson praised the players who haven’t played as much as some of their team-mates this season for their displays last night. He commented: “It was very good. The lads who haven’t played much had a great opportunity to show the gaffer what they can do and I thought all the boys were superb.

“On a personal level, it was a great opportunity to get into the gaffer’s head and give him a selection problem and just do as well as I can.”