Wycombe Break Bradford Hearts To Earn Bristol Street Motors Trophy Final Spot

22/02/2024 09:51 Share

Wycombe Wanderers will play in the final of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy for the first time after a late goal secured a 1-0 victory away at Bradford City in the second semi-final.

Bradford were bidding to become the first team from the fourth tier to make the final since Salford City in the 2019/20 season and, like the visitors, were also looking to make it to Wembley in the competition for the first time.

On a pitch that was far from perfect after heavy rain, Bradford dominated proceedings from the start and could have gone ahead in the opening minutes when Tyler Smith saw an effort well saved by Max Stryjek in the Wycombe goal.

Clarke Odour and Calum Kavanagh both went close whilst at the other end, Colin Doyle was left with a watching brief as Wycombe failed to get a shot on target; the League 1 side unable to find an end product from the limited opportunities that came their way.

It was a similar story after the break, with Smith and Kavanagh both going close and Alex Gilliead firing just over the bar.

Stryjek continued to keep Wycombe in the game as he twice denied Kavanagh – including a fine stop from a free-kick on the edge of the box – before Doyle was finally called into action at the other end when Garath McCleary saw his header saved ten minutes from time.

Just as five minutes of stoppage time was signalled and the game headed towards penalty kicks, there was a late twist in the tale as Wycombe saw the chance to break after yet another Bradford attack.

Richard Kone picked up the ball on the right hand side and spotted Matt Butcher breaking on the left, with his pass being controlled by the midfielder before he arrowed a shot across Doyle and into the bottom corner.

That led to wild celebrations amongst the 286 Wycombe fans who had made the trip but there was still time for the Valley Parade crowd to roar Bradford on for one final assault on the opposition goal only for Stryjek to once again keep the home side at bay.

Wycombe will now face Peterborough United in the final at Wembley on Sunday 7 April.