By Fan of the Year Jon Harries
The Buckinghamshire Derby was the next game at Stadium MK, 3rd v 5th, Silky Whites v the Perennial Underdogs. It was billed as a cagey affair, but the Chairboys came out the blocks the best, first Sam Vokes forcing a point blank save from Fisher, then Daryl Horgan curling a shot onto the top of the bar. It was a shaky start for the defence with Gareth McCleary causing issues down our left-hand side and Tennai Watson exposing Warren O’Hora down the right. Troy Parrott then put a diving header wide at the near post, the drama though was all saved for the end of the half. First Tafazolli thought he’d scored from a very softly won free kick, the linesman ruling out for offside, then minutes later Dean Lewington found Parrott behind the Wycombe defence and was fouled by Anthony Stewart. Penalty to the Dons and Wycombe down to ten men, just like Gillingham last weekend. After much gamesmanship and delay, Parrott stepped up and dispatched the penalty making plenty of friends along the way 🤐
The second half started with a lot of possession for the home side with Harvie and Watson given the freedom of the County. Wycombe were happy to sit back and hit on the counterattack. That then turned direct when Akinfenwa entered proceedings and it was all about winning second balls. The Dons two best chances were a long-range Robson effort, then Max Watters did brilliantly to engineer space for a shot, Joe Jacobson though got back brilliantly to make a goal saving challenge. I feel if Eisa was fit then the score line would have been more comfortable, particularly the delivery of Harvie was inviting but at the end of the game it was 4 unbeaten at home, 3 clean sheets in a row and three points that kept us 3rd in the league.
Tuesday sees the visit of Fleetwood to Stadium MK. Currently on a run of 5 unbeaten themselves including a point against Sunderland and beating Rotherham 4-2 away from home, it’s easy to see Simon Grayson’s team are no mugs. Alex Cairns in goal is a Cods legend, James Hill has progressed through their academy and Brad Halliday compliments the man in focus below. Midfielder Callum Camps on his day is the spark in the team and another Callum to look out for is Morton who single handedly promoted Northampton from L2 when on loan from West Brom during lockdown. Their away form is 8th behind us in 7th, but at the time of writing we currently have the 3rd best home form in L1.
The man in focus is Danny Andrew, the former Grimsby and Doncaster left back is Fleetwood’s stand out player of the season so far. An attacking presence who has phenomenal delivery, isn’t afraid to shoot from distance and like Scott Twine, has a fantastic eye for goal from a free kick having already scored two worldies against Lincoln City and Rotherham (both away). When you have tricky players like Callum Morton who will likely win the odd free kick in a dangerous area then there’s a good chance Andrew will be sniffing. Defensively though he sometimes gets caught out of possession and that could be our way in.
Predicted Line Up
Fisher
Watson – O’Hora – Darling Lewington – Harvie
O’Riley – Robson – Twine
Watters – Parrott
One change to freshen up the line-up after Saturday’s physical game. I feel Fleetwood won’t be as physical as Wycombe hence the movement of Watters will cause problems for the Fleetwood defence.
I’m going for a 3-0 home win. Watters Parrott, and O’Hora with the goals. It won’t be an easy game and Fleetwood will frustrate. Cream always rises to the top though and I fully expect the positive attitude to continue.
COYD
