Wycombe Wanderers boss Matt Bloomfield was “bitterly disappointed” that his side couldn’t get a result last night after a 4-2 loss to Bolton Wanderers.
The Chairboys slipped 2-0 behind at Adams Park with goals from Paris Maghoma and George Thomason, before Luke Leagy put them back into the game just after halftime.
An 82nd-minute leveller from substitute David Wheeler gave the home fans hope of an amazing comeback before those dreams were dashed with a goal from Eoin Toal and a penalty dispatched by Aaron Morley, sending all three points away with the Trotters.
Matt Bloomfield felt that his side were deserving of a result. He said to the press [quotes via Bucks Free Press]: “We’re disappointed for the way the first half went but when we got the first goal from Luke [Leahy], and what a goal it was, we were right back in it.
“We were in control, we were in the ascendancy, we were in their half and we were good value for a point.
“So we’re bitterly disappointed not to get anything from the game.”
It was an impressive second half for Wycombe, with Bloomfield revealing what he said at the break to get the Chairboys back into the game.
He added: “When we spoke at half-time, I felt that the distance between the units wasn’t close enough and the front two weren’t pressing together, so we corrected that tactically and that enabled us to get closer to Bolton.
“We got them pressed and were able to play the way we wanted to play as we created shots, had attacks and tested their keeper but it wasn’t to be this evening.”
The Felixstowe manager also heaped praise onto the home fans, crediting them for inspiring the team.
“The crowd were brilliant when we got it back to 2-2 as they were right behind us, so at that point, the boys were looking to find the winner.
“Unfortunately, we were sucker punched on two occasions. That’s why it’s important to have that balance and be calm.”
The fixture list does not get any easier as Wycombe travel to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday to face second-placed Oxford United.
Writer’s View
It was a hard loss to take for Wycombe. Whilst their opening 45 minutes left a lot to be desired, they came out of the gates strongly after half-time. Luke Leahy’s screamer set a marker for much of the half. It was only late on in the game when Bolton regained their grip on the contest, responding quickly to Wheeler’s leveller. Cameron Jerome went down looking for contact for the Bolton penalty, but it was too forceful of a push from Richard Keogh for the referee not to point to the spot.
It was a bad day for Chairboys keeper Maksymillian Stryjek following a poor save for the first Bolton goal and questionable positioning for the second. A question could be asked over whether he could have done more to stop Morley’s penalty from going in as well. But as shown early this season, the Polish keeper has many more good days than bad ones. He will be keen to shut out a strong Oxford side and show it was just a blip on his record.
