By Ross Jeavons


Wycombe Wanderers began their pre-season campaign by brushing aside Flackwell Heath on Friday evening, with a commanding 3-0 victory at Wilks Park.

Goals from John Sutton, triallist Kieran McAnespie and Lewwis Spence sealed the game, but perhaps more importantly for Peter Taylor's side there appeared to be no new injury worries after the final whistle.

The ex-England boss marked his first game in charge by fielding 22 players over the ninety minutes, but the Blues never seemed to stutter as the new boys gelled well with the veterans of the 2007/08 season.

Right from kick-off the Chairboys frustrated their Hellenic League opponents, keeping possession impressively and asserting their authority on the game for large periods of time.

Gary Holt donned the captain's armband and certainly didn't shirk responsibility, picking up from last seasons impressive displays with a typical hard working performance from the centre of midfield.

Leon Knight was also a livewire up front alongside John Sutton, shooting just wide after a quarter of an hour.

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The Heathens then really began to feel the pressure from the League Two side, as in a matter of minutes Sutton saw an effort ruled out for offside, before left midfielder McAnespie skied an effort over the bar from all of ten yards.

It wasn't until the half our mark that the Blues finally took the lead, as John Sutton found a way in behind the Flackwell defence before being felled just inside the area.

The ex-St Mirren man stepped up to take the kick himself, but only just squeezed it home as the Heathens' keeper palmed the ball into the net.

Both Jamie Young and Scott Shearer were spectators for most the night, though shortly before the break 'Youngy' was called into some action, as he stooped low to pick up an awkwardly fizzing drive from the edge of the area.

The conditions weren't ideal for either keeper, as the rain lashed down with increasing frequency - though the Flackwell ground staff must take credit for preparing a very admirable surface.

No one could point to the conditions for Wycombe's second goal of the night, as Kieran McAnespie doubled the lead.

The 28-year-old, who has had spells with Fulham and Plymouth, latched on to a John Sutton flick-on to head home just before the break.

The second half gave some more of Wycombe's new boys a chance to shine, as eleven changes included the introduction of Lewwis Spence, Magno Silva Vieira and Gavin Grant.

All three made good impressions, though Wanderers fans might have been equally excited to see 17-year-old youth teamer Matty Phillips in action, as on the fifty minute mark he fed triallist Adam Green with a delightful back heel from the left wing position.

Minutes later Magno Silva Vieira showed why he could be the new South-American in town after the departure of Sergio Torres, stinging the keeper's palms from 18 yards after a wonderful interchange between Lewwis Spence and Scott McGleish.

The Brazilian born striker will wonder how he didn't have a goal to show for his endeavour, as on the 65 minute mark he saw two efforts magically cleared off the line in quick succession, with only top-class defending keeping the score at 2-0.

It wasn't too long until the Blues had their third, and it was the extremely impressive Lewwis Spence who got his reward for a display that showed composure beyond the years of a 20-year-old.

The London born midfielder turned down the offer of a new deal at Crystal Palace to join the Wanderers and Peter Taylor will feel he has a gem on his hands, as the youngster lashed home a superb effort from all of 25 yards.

Scott McGleish still had time to show that he's lost none of the ability that bagged him 26 goals in the last campaign, firing one shot just over with eight minutes remaining and seeing an effort ruled out  for offside just before the final whistle.

It was certainly an adequate run out for Peter Taylor's men, but they will surely have to step up a notch when they take on Conference South outfit Maidenhead United on Wednesday evening.

First Half Side: Jamie Young, Leon Crooks, Mike Williamson, Will Antwi, Craig Woodman, Robbie Rice, Gary Holt, John Mousinho,Kieran McAnespie, John Sutton, Leon Knight

Second Half Side: Scott Shearer, Lewis Christon, Leon Johnson, David McCracken, Adam Green, Gavin Grant, Tommy Doherty, Lewwis Spence, Matty Phillips, Magno Silva Viera, Scott McGleish