RESERVES BOW DOWN TO SAINTS
By Ross Jeavons
Wanderers reserves crashed to a 5-0 defeat away to Southampton last night, but despite the result an extremely young side managed to put on a battling display.
At 22 years of age, Andre Boucaud was the eldest on the Wanderers side as the teams lined up at Staplewood, the training ground of the Saints.
The Blues also had to do without last season regulars such as Tom Cadmore, Alan Massey and Stephen Gregory - who have all been sent out on loan to gain first team experience.
Despite this the team's youthful exuberance appeared to be paying off as their own for well over 30 minutes against a talented Southampton side.
Andre Boucaud managed a foray on goal for the Blues early on, but saw his shot curl over the bar of Southampton keeper Mattej Rondos.
Robert Rice, who was one of the most promising youngsters for Wycombe in pre-season games, then forced Rondos into an acrobatic save on the nineteen-minute mark.
The home side then began to take control, with two Adams - Lallana and Hammill coming close midway through the half.
Finally on the 38th minute mark Wycombe's resilience broke. David McGoldrick cut into the box and had a good shot saved by Young - but unfortunately for Wanderers the Aussie stopper was unable to stop Cedric Baseya lashing in the rebound.
No more goals were scored by the time referee Mr. Creighton blew his whistle for half time, despite Adam Hammill's best efforts. The youngster on loan from Liverpool looked dangerous in a Saints shirt all night, and he fired a shot across the Wycombe goal-line which narrowly avoided the onrushing strikers just before the break.
Half Time
The reserve side in Blue clearly tired in the second half, and Southampton took full advantage after 52 minutes.
Yet again it was Hammill involved as he crossed well for 19-year-old Lallana to control well and slot home.
An eventful night for the Liverpool youngster was destined to come to an end on the hour mark, as Hammill saw himself sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession. The first came for encroaching too far on a Wycombe free kick, and when the resulting set piece struck his arm the referee saw no hesitation in giving him his marching orders.
10-men seemed to spur Southampton on even more however, and they were three up on the 67 minute mark after a wonderful volley from McGoldrick.
Jamie Young made a series of impressive saves throughout the night, but was unable to prevent Cedric Baseya firing into the roof of his net with just fifteen minutes remaining.
The travelling Chairboys still had one more goal left to endure, as McGoldrick picked up his second of the night with only a few minutes remaining. He latched onto a long ball from Oliver Lancashire before slotting home.
Despite the result, the experience will be vital for Wycombe's youngsters - against a side that arguably has the best setup in the division.
The next reserves match will be on Tuesday September 11th, when the Blues take on Watford at Adams Park.
Wycombe Wanderers line-up: 1.Jamie Young 2.Robbie Rice 3. Jack Obersteller 4. Stuart Cattell 5. Leon Crooks 6. Matt Phillips 7. Scott Shulton 8.Andre Boucaud 9. Derek Duncan 10. Chidi Ogbuagu 11.Calum Botham
Substitutes: 12. Elliott Braithwaite 14. George Daley 15. Darrell Ellams 16. Adam Holloway (Gk)
Southampton: 1. Mattej Rondos 2. Jamie Hatch 3. Joseph Mills 4. Lloyd James 5. Oliver Lancashire 6. Darren Powell 7. Adam Lallana 8. David McGoldrick 9. Cedric Baseya 10. Simon Gillett 11. Adam Hammill
Substitutes: 12. Jake Thompson 13. Andrej Pernecky (Gk)14. Josh Dutton-Black (on for Cedric Baseya) 15. Kyle Davies 16. Kayne McLaggon
Yellow Cards: Derek Duncan
Red Cards: Adam Hammill
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