The latest team to win promotion to Championship via the League One playoffs has been confirmed following tonight’s much anticipated clash.
It was of course a playoff final with a difference, no fans were allowed in at Wembley due to the government’s coronavirus guidelines.
Supporters were able to watch on in spirits from the comfort of their own homes as the game was televised on Sky Sports.
Wycombe were the team to seal that all important promotion which sees them reach the Championship for the first time in their club’s history, fair to say Chairboys boss Gareth Ainsworth was right to describe the game as their biggest of all time.
This season saw Oxford finish the 2019/20 season in 4th place, based on a PPG version of the League One table. The campaign had nine remaining games to be played, but due to club’s finances, it was voted to cancel by the majority.
For Wycombe, they controversially rose five places from eight to third in the table to enter the play-offs.
In the first leg against Fleetwood, there was three goals within the first six minutes, along with two sending offs for Joey Barton’s side, and Wycombe comfortably took a 4-1 victory into the second leg.
There was a good attempt of a comeback from Fleetwood, who certainly didn’t sit back, however Wycombe held on to draw 2-2 and win 6-3 on aggregate to seal their place at Wembley.
For the U’s, they were held to a draw at Fratton Park, however it had to be done the hard way in the return leg, when another 1-1 draw meant it went to penalties.
After Simon Eastwood’s save of Cameron McGheehan’s effort, Cameron Brannagan smashed in the decisive spot-kick to put them in the final.
So how did the final play out:
It took just nine minutes for the opener to be found, Joe Jacobson sent in a corner that caused Oxford problems, the ball met Anthony Stewart’s head before it looked to have came off an Oxford player and into the back of the net.
What a start for Wycombe! ?⚪
They take the lead in the League One play-off final against Oxford United inside 10 minutes! ? pic.twitter.com/5J6wI6Re71
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 13, 2020
Oxford got close to finding an equaliser just over the 30-minute mark. Rob Dickie’s quick clearance was played in to Sykes who gets in a low cross but Stewart was there with a vital block which led to a Wycombe clearance.
? – “That is an interception of the highest quality!”
Wycombe’s goalscorer Anthony Stewart makes a goal-saving stop at the other end of the pitch! ? pic.twitter.com/QAqzLZDw30
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 13, 2020
Both teams went into the break with Wycombe 1-0 up against their opponents from down the M40.
Oxford dominated in terms of stats, especially possession, but the impressive defensive display of Wycombe kept them ahead.
Karl Robinson’s side finally got that all important leveller in the 57th minute when Mark Sykes put in what had to be a cross towards goal, but instead it dinked over keeper Ryan Allsop from a incredibly tight angle and at quite a pace.
How has that gone in!? ?
Mark Sykes whips a cross into the box but it somehow ends up in the back of the net!
Game on! ? pic.twitter.com/5fviN6lB98
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 13, 2020
With just over 10 minutes remaining, Fred Onyedinma ended up getting flattened by Simon Eastwood, although replays shows the linesman miss the Wycombe player go narrowly offside in the lead up.
Sloppy defending saw Fred nip in, the keeper came flying out, and ended up getting all of the man and none of the ball.
Joe Jacobson the taker and he calmly sent it down the middle to put Wycombe back in front.
Oxford United 1 Wycombe Wanderers 2. Jacobson #playofffinal pic.twitter.com/uHw5RUjppQ
— Football 24/7 (@Foet247Europe) July 13, 2020
Despite late chances from Oxford to find a winner, the U’s couldn’t find a second equaliser.
Wycombe become the latest team to win promotion to the Championship for the first time in their 133-year history after beating Oxford 2-1 at Wembley.
Wycombe goalscorer Joe Jacobson told Sky Sports: “It’s unbelievable, I was thinking don’t miss the penalty, our goalkeeping coach said just go down the middle and I trusted him, thankfully it went in.
“This club has never been here before, every game will be a cup final next season and we will enjoy every minute of it.”
Adebayo Akinfenwa on Sky Sports Football: “Four years ago I stood here and I was technically unemployed. This time around it was so much sweeter.
“I hope my story shows that the only opinion that matters is your own. I was lucky enough to find a manager and players that believed in me and now I’ll say it for the people at the back – Wycombe are in the Championship!
Akinfenwa ? “Tell me what we just did?”
? “You got yourself a place in the Championship”
Akinfenwa ?”I don’t think they heard you in the back, tell me what we just did”@daRealAkinfenwa is loving every second of promotion pic.twitter.com/YNNVoXW1lB
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 13, 2020
Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth told Sky Sports: “It was amazing. We can’t afford the best footballing players but heart and determination – that was a Wycombe performance.
“They ground it out and I can’t believe that we’re a Championship club.
“We had nine players turn up on the first day of pre-season and two of them were trialists. Today is for all the fans watching at home.”
Fans took to social media as the latest team to win promotion to Championship via the League One playoffs was confirmed…
Well done to all of you concerned. So pleased for Gareth Ainsworth ??
— Pandamonium Fanzine (@Pandamonium1881) July 13, 2020
Congratulations! And thanks in advance for our 6 points next season???? pic.twitter.com/NTvrsIgeAJ
— Alex Smith (@_alexsmith1999) July 13, 2020
Shithouse football u love to see it
Top job well done???? pic.twitter.com/Psm67NcAg8— EJ⚔ (@EJ_Sufc) July 13, 2020
Me seeing how wycombe is now in the championship. pic.twitter.com/AnLH2YH1gH
— Jules ?. (@Julio97F) July 13, 2020
Congrats ?? After the reception we got on the first day and the respect your players showed our players wanted you to go up. Well done. We are still the one and only wanderers tho ?
— Pete O’Neill (@Leigh_Wigan) July 13, 2020
James Henry should’ve taken the shot, we would’ve won. Elliott Moore should’ve headed the ball away. Wycombe are the worst footballing side I’ve ever witnessed. Still proud of the boys though, we go again next year??
— cal✊?✊?✊?✊? (@csmxth1) July 13, 2020
And Taylor won’t come, Browne won’t come, Brannagans halfway out… do I even go on
— JPlumby (@JPlumby_) July 13, 2020
Proud of the squad, proud of the club.
Instead of drowning my sorrows tonight, I raise a drink to their efforts and I drink to next year, always proud to wear the yellow and blue
— Skip (@red5racing_UK) July 13, 2020
Shame we didn’t won. Deserved to win. Wycombe played their shite football like usual, but that’s life. At least we get to smash Swindon next season
— H_bradders23 (@Hbradders23) July 13, 2020
It’s a cup final, the players let the gaffer down, we are better than how we played, but that’s football, weird and wonderful season – cya next year
— Graham Morby (@37shadesofgrey) July 13, 2020
Wycombe finished outside of the playoffs, voted against the season restart and got bumped up 5 league places. They then went on and won the playoffs. Biggest shithouse ever. Congrats ?? pic.twitter.com/0tsrL28hOA
— Patrick (@lufcpatrick) July 13, 2020
Well done to Wycombe on becoming the latest team to win promotion to Championship. ??
— Jason Lee ?? (@ForeverAYellow) July 13, 2020
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