Wycombe Wanderers 1-2 Stockport County: FLW reports as Hatters continue Chairboys' misery | OneFootball

Match report, player ratings and reaction from both managers as Wycombe Wanderers hosted Stockport County.

Stockport County continued their 100% start to the new League One season, with a 2-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park.

Stockport took the lead early on after Kyle Wootton finished a neat move from close range, giving Wycombe an uphill battle to fight once again.

The rest of the first period was rather uneventful, with both sides having chances but neither able to find the net, meaning the visitors went in with a one-goal advantage at the break.

Minutes after play resumed, the away side doubled their lead with a lovely goal from Jack Diamond, who curled an unsaveable effort in off the bar.

Wanderers had a chance to claw one back via a penalty, but Alex Lowry smashed his effort off the post. However, he would combine with Jamie Mullins to get Wycombe back into the contest 15 minutes later.

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, and for the third year running, the Buckinghamshire side lost both of their opening two fixtures by the same scoreline, as Stockport kept up their 100% start to the new season.

Wycombe Wanderers 1-2 Stockport County

Wycombe started strongly by forcing three corners which were all scrambled to safety by the Stockport defence, before Challinor's side began to settle into the game with some nice passages of play.

The visitors took the lead with a neat move down the left after nine minutes. Kyle Wootton tapped home from a few yards out, as Wanderers started slowly for the second week running, and were all over the place defensively.

The game slightly fizzled out, as County remained comfortable with their lead, and probed to add to it. Confusingly, Wycombe were playing without a right-back, leaving a Stockport player unmarked in acres of space.

Dan Casey forced Corey Addai into his first save of the match with a powerful header from a Luke Leahy cross, but it was a routine save for the towering shot-stopper.

A double block from latest signing Connor Taylor denied Jack Diamond on the break, after Wycombe were once again exposed down their right-hand side.

The lively Fred Onyedinma won the ball back high up the pitch and drove towards goal. His shot was very fortunately saved by Addai, who fell backwards and ended up trapping the ball under his left leg.

A small chorus of boos rang around Adams Park as Ollie Yates brought the first-half to a close, as the Chairboys had once again put on a poor showing once again, with Stockport more than comfortable in the lead.

Just after half-time, Stockport doubled their lead. A dreadful pass in midfield gifted the ball to Diamond, who was allowed by Dan Casey to curl a beauty into the top right corner off the bar.

Mike Dodds responded to his side falling two behind to bring on four changes, including talisman Richard Kone, who returned to the side after missing the opening day defeat at Bradford City.

The changes made an instant impact as Daniel Harvie burst into the Stockport box, and was hauled to the ground by Joseph Olowu. Referee Yates pointed to the spot, handing Wycombe a lifeline.

Unfortunately, they wouldn't take it. Substitute Lowry sent Addai the wrong way, but his low-driven penalty cannoned off the post.

Despite the penalty setback, Dodds' side pressed on to try and get themselves back into the game, which they did via a lovely passage of play. A one-two between Lowry and Mullins allowed the latter to break free into the box and slot home to give his side a lifeline.

The atmosphere inside the home terrace cranked up as their side went in search of a late equaliser, which would get the Chairboys up and running in the 2025/26 campaign.

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, and a late save from a deflected shot by Addai proved to be a key action that would earn his side three points, and continue Wycombe's winless run.

Stockport County player ratings

C. Addai - 7

C. O'Keefe - 6

J. Olowu - 6 (O. Bailey 65'(6))

C. Connolly - 6

E. Pye - 7

O. Dodgson - 6

C. Camps - 6 (N. Lowe 65'(6))

O. Moxon - 7

O. Norwood - 7

J. Diamond - 8 (D. Andrew 87'(6))

K. Wootton - 7

Unused substitutes: B. Hinchcliffe, M. Mothersille, L. Fiorini, A. Allen

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Match attendance

Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

There were 5590 fans present at Adams Park on Saturday afternoon for Wycombe's home league opener, including a strong 861 from Stockport.

Mike Dodds reacts as late Wycombe fall short after late flurry

Speaking to the press after a narrow 2-1, an optimistic Mike Dodds said: "I actually thought we were better than last week, especially towards the end of the game.

"You don't play against teams of that quality and do what we did for 45 minutes and not be a good side.

"There's an element of me that knew that this [slow start] might happen, in terms of the number of players that we've obviously brought to the football club in a very short space of time.

"It's six weeks now since we've changed the way we work and how we want to operate, and I'm super relaxed that this isn't going to happen overnight."

Dave Challinor reacts as Stockport survive late scare at Adams Park

Speaking to the press after his side survived a late Wycombe flurry to secure three points, Stockport boss Dave Challinor said: "I'm happy we've got six points, [but] I know we can do better.

"We certainly had to weather a storm there in the last half-hour, and we've probably got away with another one [win]"

"I can't stand here and say we deserve three points, we've had to dig in there - which we're going to have to over the course of the season, and fortunately we have."