Wycombe Wanderers 2 : 0 Milton Keynes Dons

If Wycombe don’t quite have one foot in the EFL Playoff final, they have at least three toes. A resounding 2-0 win over Milton Keynes in a fiery Buckinghamshire derby came after a tough opening 20 minutes where the visitors looked the likelier side.

Then, as they had done against Sheffield Wednesday, the Chairboys gathered the storm, put it in their back pocket and took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Joe Jacobson’s excellent corners to the far post started out by fairly obviously seeking Anthony Stewart who was loitering way beyond the far post and not remotely in a goalscoring position. He could however head the ball freely back across the goal. The first time he was unmarked and did so, but the defence cleared uneasily.

Although the first corner failed to threaten and Cumming coped well with the other, Stewart drew Conor Coventry out of the six yard box to mark him. Seconds later, a third corner found Ryan Tafazolli inside an emptier six yard box.

The Wales international rose to head home the simplest of goals twelve minutes before half time.

It was all so foreseeable. Gareth Ainsworth had laid a perfect trap for MK Dons using Stewart as a decoy to create space in the six yard box.

36' Wanderers pump some high balls into the area and MK Dons don't deal with them all that comfortably. We might see more of this@prostint #WYCMKD 0-0 #Chairboys

— Steve Clare (@Steve__Clare) May 5, 2022

The trap was brilliantly executed and Wycombe were a changed side after that.

Having been clearly second best tactically for the opening twenty minutes, they dominated the game thereafter. The offside flag denied them a second just before half time and the interval could not come quick enough for Liam Manning’s men.

That momentum continued in the second half.

Dominic Gape found an excellent through ball to set up Jordan Obita. The striker perhaps had more time than he realised and shot straight at Cumming.

Gape continued his excellent recent form at both ends and was instrumental in protecting his keeper. In fact, Cumming’s opposite number David Stockdale was so well protected, he had to emerge from the penalty area and act as a sweeper twice to stay involved.

One Gape interception on the hour mark to break up Dons’ best passing move of the game stuck in the mind. He had also been responsible for a brave block to deny Scott Twine’s goal-bound effort in the first half on an excellent night for the Dorset born 27-year-old.

The visitors were reduced to longer distance efforts and Twine sent one wide before a moment of madness further moved the momentum Wycombe’s way. Josh McEachran had already been booked for his role in a needless melee after a foul. With 26 minutes left, he made an even more needless lunge on Josh Scowen.

It may have been worth a red card all by itself but it was definitely a second yellow, administered once McEachran who was also injured rose to his feet.

With a man advantage, the home side smelled blood. ‘Unsung hero’ Jason McCarthy smashed the Dons’ crossbar. The more offensive David Wheeler replaced Gape, presumably also rested for the second leg.

A deserved second goal came on 82. Garath McCleary crossed accurately from the right and Sam Vokes rose highest to head home. His work done, Vokes left to allow Adebayo Akinfenwa his last playing minutes at Adams Park in a storied career.

The Chairboys will take a 2-0 lead to Milton Keynes for the 2nd leg. With away goals not counting double, the tie is still open but you feel that MKD will need to score first.

Both sets of fans were a credit to their club and there was no repeat of the unpleasantness of their previous fixture here.

The stage is now set for the second leg on May 8. With away goals not counting double, a 3-1 home win would move us to extra time. However, it’s more probable that Milton Keynes would need to score first and then it’ll be as much about nerves and steel as anything else.