For the first time in modern history, Wycombe Wanderers will take on Sutton United in a competitive fixture.
When they met well over 30 years ago, the Chairboys would go on to win a promotion and a cup.
Can history repeat itself three decades on?
Here’s what we can expect on Tuesday night.
Delighted to appear on the Sutton United podcast tonight giving the opposition view ahead of Tuesday.
— Dan Clark (@DanClarkPR) August 27, 2023
Thanks to Mike and Mark for having me on. https://t.co/bJIIJqrIVm
Lowdown on Wanderers
After two poor league defeats against Exeter and Lincoln respectively, Wycombe are now starting to look up.
They are unbeaten in their last three, and defeated Buckinghamshire rivals Milton Keynes in the inaugural round at the start of the month.
One negative however is the ever-growing injury list which will no doubt cause several headaches for Matt Bloomfield.
Jack Grimmer is expected to miss the next few weeks with a calf injury, whilst Ryan Tafazolli and Dale Taylor are also anticipated to be absent.
Matt Bloomfield believes Dale Taylor could be out 'for a little while' following his injury at Bristol Rovers today.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) August 26, 2023
🗣️ He said: "We need to assess him as he’s been so good for us."#Chairboys https://t.co/tEeVYRg1wf
The centre back suffered a leg injury in the 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers on August 26, whilst striker Taylor was stretchered off with a suspected ankle injury.
The duration of their recoveries is not yet known.
This will mean that changes will be made to the side that will face Sutton and we could see several fringe players make an appearance.
Lowdown on Sutton
It’s amazing what can happen in just a few weeks.
At the start of August, Sutton smashed newly promoted Notts County 5-1 at Gander Green Lane to sit top of the League Two table.
Fast forward to the end of August, they are now second-bottom and have lost four of their last league games.
In fact, their only win since their thrashing against County was the first round League Cup victory over Cambridge United, which they secured via a penalty shootout.
So they are in need of a win just to boost morale.
Additionally, their visit to Adams Park will see ex-Chairboys such as Scott Kashket and Craig Eastmond return, whilst striker D’Mani Mellor is cup-tied.
🚨 Wycombe Wanderers striker D'mani Mellor has moved out on loan to Lge 2 Sutton Utd but is cup-tied for FLC tie later this month.
— Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) August 11, 2023
The now 22-yo joined Wycombe on a free from Man Utd in July 2022, making 13 apps & scoring once to date. Spent 2nd half of 22/23 on loan at Rochdale. https://t.co/3TEHQQ5WFP pic.twitter.com/bzFTvhSPCR
Head-2-Head
Games: Eight
Wycombe wins: Four
Draws: One
Sutton wins: Three
The man in the middle
The referee for the match is Simon Mather.
He has also taken charge of one Wanderers game in his career, and this was in the 1-1 draw away at Gillingham in April 2022.
The game saw the Gills score a late equaliser after Sam Vokes had given the Chairboys the lead.
During the contest, he also showed midfielder Lewis Wing a straight red card for a late tackle in the dying stages of the game.
In Mather’s previous match, which was the 0-0 draw between Portsmouth and Stevenage on Saturday, he sent off a player from each side.
His assistants are Sam Ogles and Hugh Gilroy whilst the fourth official is Carl Brook.
Miscellaneous
- This is the first meeting between the two sides since April 1993, when Wycombe defeated Sutton in the FA Trophy semi-final.
🏆 Wycombe beat Sutton United en route to Wembley 30 years ago. pic.twitter.com/vSeU6NhiaX
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) August 9, 2023
- They would go on to win the competition as well as win promotion into the Football League that year under Martin O’Neill.
#OTD Saturday 10th April 1993
— Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) April 10, 2022
Sutton United 0
Wycombe Wanderers 4
FA Trophy Semi-Final 2nd Leg #chairboys thro to Wembley, 6-3 on aggregate 🙌🙌🙌
My 📹 footage pic.twitter.com/r0mJgtmYgD
- Wycombe haven't won a home League Cup fixture in 90 minutes since 2003 when a Richard Harris double saw off Wimbledon - four months before now manager Matt Bloomfield joined the Chairboys following his release from Ipswich Town.
- They have since played 14 matches at Adams Park in the competition since then, but are yet to win via the allotted time.
- This included having seven consecutive EFL Cup fixtures at home between 2015 and 2019
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