Wycombe will go back to Adams Park with a hard-earned point as they drew 0-0 against Oxford United at a rocking Kassam Stadium.
Over 9,000 fans attended the fixture with Wanderers bringing 1,500 supporters along the M40, as the Blues secured their first point away in Oxford for seven years (November 2014).
The Chairboys were on the backfoot in the opening stages as the home side dominated possession, and in the first six minutes, they had the game’s inaugural chance but Alex Gorrin’s header from a corner went wide of David Stockdale’s goal.
📍Oxford, Oxfordshire
— James Richings | Bucks Free Press (@James_BFP) September 11, 2021
🏟 The Kassam Stadium
⚽️ Oxford United vs Wycombe Wanderers
🤝 First meeting since the Play-Off final
⏱ 3pm pic.twitter.com/OPW5XKRzwC
READ MORE: Live at the Kassam Stadium: Oxford United vs Wycombe Wanderers
Oxford continued to put the pressure on Wycombe as Anthony Forde then tested Stockdale from range, before Karl Robinson’s men had a huge appeal for a penalty, as Mark Sykes was bundled over in the box, but the referee, Christopher Sarginson, waved away the protest.
Wycombe just couldn’t get going and every time they went forward, United found a way to get the ball back and on 17 minutes, Cameron Brannagan, who was named the club’s Player of the Month for August, scuffed his effort from 12-yards.
Then, at the flick of the switch, Wanderers woke up and finally started to attack.
Just before the midway point of the first half, a huge goal month scramble occurred in the Oxford penalty area and the ball was pinballing around.
Brandan Hanlan, on what was his league debut, along with Ryan Tafazolli and Sam Vokes all had attempts blocked or saved by Oxford keeper Jack Stevens, and despite not offering much up until that point, Gareth Ainsworth’s men might have found themselves unlucky to not go ahead following the scramble.
25 - Biggest chance of the match so far falls to Sam Vokes! He and Hanlan have been pulling the strings, and the Welshman forces Stevens into a save with a shot from eight-yards. #OUFC #Chairboys
— James Richings | Bucks Free Press (@James_BFP) September 11, 2021
🟡 0-0🔵
However, the best chance of the match fell to Vokes just before 30 minutes, but his half-volley from 10-yards was brilliantly saved by Stevens.
As the first half continued, tackles were flying in and both sides defended well as the two sides went in at half-time goalless.
The second period saw Wycombe rarely test Stevens in the Oxford goal, as the best chances of the half went to the home side.
READ MORE: Oxford United vs Wycombe Wanderers Preview: What can we expect at the Kassam
Gavin Whyte and Brannagan each both had chances to give United the lead, but, their long-range strikes were denied brilliantly by Stockdale inside the first 15 minutes of the second half.
The onslaught of Yellow attacks continued as Anthony Sykes’ cross/shot on 65 minutes was blocked off the line by Anthony Stewart, but apart from that, it was really a midfield battle.
57 - First chance of the second-half goes to Oxford, as Gavin Whyte tests Stockdale from long-range. #OUFC #Chairboys
— James Richings | Bucks Free Press (@James_BFP) September 11, 2021
🟡 0-0🔵
Daryl Horgan, who came on for the debutant Hanlan, had an effort go wide in the latter stages of the game, whilst Adebayo Akinfenwa, who too come on, but for Sam Vokes, saw his late header go just over.
Overall, it is a good point on the road for Wycombe as there were many positives to take away.
The result means Wanderers have kept their first away clean sheet of the season, Hanlan worked his socks off on his league debut, and the partnership of Stewart and Tafazolli was faultless.
On the other hand, that’s three games without a win for Gareth Ainsworth’s men.
Up next for Wycombe is a home fixture against Charlton Athletic on September 18.
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