Chairboys hoist themselves to the top with 2-0 win over Oxford

Wycombe extend their unbeaten start to the new year with a comprehensive 2-0 win over M40 ‘rivals’.

Goals from Curtis Thompson and Brandon Hanlan hauled the Chairboys to the top of the table. Whilst the visitors remain winless this year.

Gareth Ainsworth was forced into one change following a suspected positive result for top scorer, Sam Vokes meaning he would miss just his second game of the season. Thompson was his replacement.

Karl Robinson made three switches from their midweek defeat at Lincoln in the hope of earning their first win of the new year, Jordan Thorniley, Marcus McGuane and Nathan Holland came into the starting eleven.

With the absence of Vokes, Wycombe’s line would be lead by Brandon Hanlan and his duties began from the off.

After good work from Jack Grimmer down the right-hand side to bypass two Oxford players, he fed through Oxford-born Garath McCleary. His cross was met, but fired over from Hanlan’s stretched volley.

The visitors first chance fell at the feet of Holland. Mark Sykes broke away from the Chairboys midfield and laid in Ryan Williams who set up Holland. With the goal gaping, Anthony Stewart hurled himself at the ball clearing it off the line.

Breakthrough along the M40 came through Thompson’s stellar strike. Seconds after winding up the travelling supporters, McCleary’s corner deflected through to Thompson on the edge of the area. Chest and bang. His volley rifled through the crowd and past Simon Eastwood.

Wycombe’s rock and roll intensity continued into half-time. McCleary glided beyond Sam Long and delivered a low-driven cross into Mehmeti’s path. He failed to connect cleanly and Oxford survived.

Despite a short spell of United dominance via a trio of Holland chances, Wycombe maintained pressure from their opener and deserved to lead 1-0 at the interval.

Ten minutes into the second half and the hosts had two golden chances to double their lead. First, Mehmeti played in McCleary who saw his tame effort saved by Eastwood and moments later he had a chance of his own. He drove at Elliott Moore and wriggled his way past only to find the onrushing Eastwood.

Soon, Wycombe would have their second. McCleary led the wave of the counter and in perfect orchestrator fashion teed up Hanlan with the freedom of Adams Park. He would duly provide the finish, slotting through Eastwood’s legs for his fifth of the season.

The introductions of James Henry, Gavin Whyte and Sam Winnall added greater poise to the attacking department. Cameron Brannagan’s powerful strike forced a good save from David Stockdale. After intricate play, Henry blazed one over and into the already-agitated, now seething Oxford fans.

Wycombe held on with minimal drama and secured their first league win over Oxford since December 2015.

Robinson’s side lacked any sort of guile and rarely prompted Stockdale into any heroics. Wycombe won the game by winning the battle. Their pressure was relentless and they had the quality to take their chances.

Such a comfortable win over fellow-promotion contenders sees the Wanderers cement themselves as one of the league’s big hitters with promotion well within their sights.