Adam Hinshelwood’s team had to beat eighth-tier Biggleswade in qualifying, but the Chairboys are starting their most recent knockout campaign at this point in the season.
Match preview
© Imago
Although Wycombe’s past two losses in any competition have occurred in the EFL Trophy and EFL Cup, the hosts’ outstanding play since losing in the latter game undoubtedly raises hopes for another knockout tournament.
Following a 2-1 EFL Cup setback to Champions League rival Aston Villa last month, the Chairboys have been on a roll, accumulating 16 points from the last 18 available points thanks to five victories and a draw from their past six games.
Due to goals from Fred Onyedinma, Daniel Udoh, and Cameron Humphreys, Leyton Orient was soundly defeated 3-0 at Adams Park last weekend. As a result, second-place Wycombe was able to close the gap to leaders Birmingham City.
As they want to prevent a recurrence of recent history, Matt Bloomfield’s team has put its promotion chase on hold for one weekend, even though they are currently only three points behind the 2011 EFL Cup winners in the League One standings.
In fact, Wycombe, who memorably advanced to the semi-finals in 2000–01, has lost in the first round of the FA Cup four times in the last six seasons. In the 2023–24 season, they were defeated by Morecambe in the second round.
Although the home team will undoubtedly be the favourites for Saturday’s match, the FA Cup has never been a game to be played according to a set schedule, and York City, who are also playing well, have every reason to think they may be the target of a huge victory.
The Minstermen started their season in the last preliminary round because they are a National League team. They travelled to Bedfordshire to play eighth-tier Biggleswade, and after a brief scare, they won 3-1.
York City’s near-perfect October finale came after that cup victory. They have now defeated Ebbsfleet United 4-0, Barnet 3-1, and Halifax Town 2-1 in their past three league games, giving them a one-point lead above Forest Green Rovers at the top of the National League rankings.
Although there is already a thrilling four-way title matchup between York, Forest Green, Barnet, and Gateshead, Hinshelwood’s team will now take a breather from an EFL drive in order to attempt to make it to the FA Cup second round for the second consecutive year.
Although the Minstermen’s semi-final participation in 1955 was their greatest showing in the competition, they have lost all four of their previous meetings with Wycombe and haven’t won on the Chairboys’ pitch since 1999.
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Team News
Bloomfield’s ideal afternoon was marred by Wycombe’s three-goal victory over Leyton Orient. Captain Jack Grimmer was substituted out at the 29-minute mark after taking a blow to the head, though it doesn’t seem to be a major injury.
However, as Bloomfield rearranges his lineup, the Chairboys captain will probably be rotated out of the starting lineup. Additionally, midfielder Josh Scowen will return from a one-game suspension for the hosting team.
However, Ryan Tafazolli, Brandon Hanlan, and experienced attacker Sam Vokes are still undergoing therapy, though the latter is getting some playing time behind closed doors following his ACL injury.
Although York City’s 25-year-old centre-back Darragh O’Connor is anticipated to miss a few more weeks of action because of a groin injury, the Minstermen emerged victorious from their match against Halifax.
In that victory, Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Ollie Pearce both scored goals in injury time. Pearce also scored twice during the thrashing of Biggleswade, solidifying his position as the visitors’ danger man.
Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
George; Skura, Low, Taylor, Harvie; Lubala, Butcher, Leahy, Humphreys; Kone, Kodua
York City possible starting lineup:
Male; Fallowfield, Batty, Howe, Fagan-Walcott; Felix, Hunt; Thomas, Armstrong, Nathaniel-George; PearceWe say: Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 York City
The shackles should come off for a York City side with nothing to lose on Saturday, and the Minstermen have been in red-hot form in the National League, so Wycombe’s backline should not emerge unblemished.
However, even a second-string Chairboys team should avoid an embarrassing exit at the hands of the non-league leaders, although their victory may not be entirely convincing.
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