Wycombe Wanderers came agonisingly close to securing all three points at Oakwell, only for a late Barnsley equaliser to deny them victory in a 2-2 draw.
The Chairboys, who have earned a reputation for scoring late goals this season, looked to have clinched the win through substitute Richard Kone’s dramatic strike in the 89th minute. However, Barnsley’s Marc Roberts levelled the match moments later, leaving Wanderers to settle for a hard-earned point.
The match saw Wycombe continue their strong form in the closing stages of games, with Kone’s goal marking their eighth in the final 15 minutes of matches this season. Wanderers boss Matt Bloomfield would have been pleased with his side’s fighting spirit, but the late equaliser will have been a bitter pill to swallow.
The game started with Barnsley on the front foot, pressing high and maintaining a fast tempo early on. However, Wycombe grew into the match and began to assert themselves, capitalising on Barnsley’s inability to create consistent chances. While the home side had the best early opportunity through a low shot from Davis Keillor-Dunn, which was well saved by Franco Ravizzoli, Wycombe’s defence stood firm and limited Barnsley’s effectiveness in attack.
Wycombe’s breakthrough came early in the second half, after a well-delivered cross from Kieran Sadlier found Bez Lubala at the back post. Lubala, left unmarked by the Barnsley defence, finished with a crisp low volley to give Wycombe the lead. It was a moment of quality from the Chairboys, who took advantage of Barnsley’s defensive lapse to edge ahead.
Barnsley responded by making substitutions that injected more energy into their play. The introduction of Stephen Humphrys and Fabio Jalo changed the dynamic of the game, with Humphrys scoring just four minutes after coming on. His angled drive from inside the box, after good work by Jalo, brought the home side level and shifted the momentum back in Barnsley’s favour.
Despite the setback, Wycombe continued to push forward, knowing they had the ability to score late on. Their persistence paid off in the 89th minute, when Kone got free down the left flank and created a frantic goalmouth scramble. After Caleb Taylor’s header rattled the bar, Kone was quickest to react, eventually bundling the ball home at the third attempt to put Wycombe back in the lead.
It seemed like Wycombe would hold on for the win, but just moments later, Barnsley struck back from a corner. Roberts managed to turn the ball into the net after Wycombe failed to clear their lines, denying Wanderers the victory they craved. The 2-2 draw left both teams reflecting on a thrilling, albeit frustrating, night.
Statistically, the match was finely balanced, with Wycombe edging possession at 50.2% to Barnsley’s 49.8%. Both sides managed four shots on target, with Barnsley registering 17 total attempts compared to Wycombe’s 13. The Chairboys also enjoyed more touches in the opposition box, recording 29 to Barnsley’s 24, highlighting their attacking threat, particularly in the latter stages of the game.
Wycombe will no doubt be disappointed not to have secured all three points, especially after Kone’s late strike. However, they can take heart from their resilience and ability to score crucial goals in the dying moments of games. With their solid performance at Oakwell, the Chairboys demonstrated once again that they are a team capable of competing with the top sides in the division.
Looking ahead, Wycombe will aim to build on this result and continue their push up the table. They’ve now climbed to eighth, with Barnsley in seventh, and both sides should be content with having held a fellow promotion hopeful to a draw. League One is tightly packed – just three points splits Wrexham in second and Stevenage in ninth, with four points the difference between 12 teams in the division.
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