Gareth Ainsworth calls for more from Wycombe

Posted Sunday, February 09, 2020 by PA

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth wants more after the Chairboys matched last season’s points tally of 53 with a 3-1 win over Bristol Rovers.

Adebayo Akinfenwa opened the scoring at Adams Park but Rovers were back in proceedings when Jayden Mitchell-Lawson levelled up.

It forced the Chairboys to step it up but they duly did – Darius Charles and Matt Bloomfield netting just before the break to close the gap to leaders Rotherham to three points.

“I thought we deserved it. I’m really pleased we saw it out and I’m proud of the boys for getting the win,” said Ainsworth.

“We’re delighted with the win and it wasn’t a good first-half performance. We had to dig in in the second half and stood up to the challenge.

“We have a tough game against Fleetwood on Tuesday now. We know what they’re about and what to expect.

“They’ve got some quality players and have aspirations of their own this season. We’ve done really well to get to where we are.

“It’s a brilliant result and three points in the right direction. It looked like we’d go in level at the break and we went up a gear and that’s really pleasing.”

The match against Rovers was dedicated to 13-year-old Wycombe fan Oliver Darlington, who died of sepsis last month. His family were invited to watch the game from two executive boxes.

Ainsworth added: “It was emotional seeing all the tributes to Oli Darlington; he’s played against my son who’s the same age. It puts everything in perspective.”

Akinfenwa opened the scoring in the ninth minute as he converted Dominic Gape’s daisy-cutter cross but Rovers levelled when Mitchell-Lawson fired home from 20 yards.

Jamal Blackman did well to keep out Joe Jacobson’s powerful shot with Charles on hand to turn home the rebound.

And birthday boy Bloomfield fired home the third as Wanderers maintained their promotion push.

“It’s a disappointing day at the office,” admitted Rovers manager Ben Garner, whose side haven’t won in 2020. “We were sucker-punched before half time with those two quick goals.

“It totally changes your team talk and deflated the players.

“But all credit to them they gave it their all in the second half.

“We keep showing glimpses and just need to put it all together now.

“It’s frustrating. We’re in the middle of a tough spell. We need to get back to winning ways quickly.

“We’re working hard and we know it will come eventually. Wycombe are a good side fighting it out for promotion and at times we more than matched them.

“It’s been a long time since we won a game and we’re trying really hard to rectify that. I know it’s tough for the fans. They want a win just as much as we do.”