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Past Times: Wycombe Wanderers

Last updated : 20 October 2008 By Jaybee

Barnet and Wycombe Wanderers are old adversaries, having met each other regularly when they were both non-league clubs. Since Barnet were promoted to the football league in 1991 and Wycombe came up two years later, the two clubs didn't meet in the football league until Barnet were promoted from the Conference again, in 2005, following four years exile after relegation in 2001. Barnet and Wycombe by-passed each other, as well, when Wycombe won promotion, via the play-offs, in their first ever league season, in 1994 and Barnet were relegated back to the 3rd division after just one season in the 2nd division.

The two clubs first met in 1921, in the FA Amateur Cup, 2nd round and Wycombe ran out 4-3 winners. The two clubs then met three times in the FA Amateur Cup in the 1950's with Barnet winning twice and Wycombe once.

In 1964, the two sides met in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round and Barnet won 6-3 after being 3-0 down at one point. In 1970, at the same stage in the FA Cup, Barnet won 3-0 in a replayed tie at Underhill and, again at the same stage, in 1979/80, Wycombe won 2-0.

In 1981, Barnet won 2-0 in a FA Cup 2nd round tie at Underhill and in 1996, Wycombe won 3-2 at Adams Park at the same stage after the two sides had drawn 3-3 at Underhill.

Barnet and Wycombe met regularly in the Conference following Wycombe's election to the Alliance Premier League in 1985. Barnet had been founder members when it began in 1979. Wycombe were relegated back to the Isthmian League after finishing in the bottom three in their first season, but were promoted back the following season. In September 1987, Barnet won 7-0 at Adams Park with Nicky Evans scoring 4 goals, Dave Sansom 2 and Robert Codner the other goal. In the return, in April, at Underhill the two sides drew 1-1, the Bees goal scored by current Macclesfield boss, Keith Alexander.

The following season, the Bees did the double over Wycombe, Gary Abbott grabbing a hat trick in a 3-2 win at Adams Park and Paul Wilson scoring the only goal in the return at Underhill. The following season, Barnet won 2-0 at Underhill having lost 1-0 at Wycombe earlier in the season.

In the 1990-91 season, Barnet won the Conference and were promoted to the football league. Two goals from Andy Clarke and one from Gary Poole gave the Bees a 3-2 win at Underhill. Barnet won the return at Adams Park 3-1, with two goals from Gary Bull and one from Kenny Lowe, to set up things for the last game of the season at Fisher, which Barnet won 4-2 to take the title and gain promotion from the Conference. The Barnet side against Wycombe was Phillips, Wilson, Howell, Nugent, Poole, Durham, Lowe, Evans, Tomlinson, Bull, Willis. Subs: Murphy, Carter.

In 2000, the two sides met in the 1st round of the League cup over two legs. Barnet won the 1st leg 2-1at Underhill with goals from John Doolan and Ben Strevens, but Wycombe won the return 3-1 after extra time, Tony Richards scoring for the Bees.

The two clubs met for the first time in the football league in 2005/06, in September at Adams Park and Wycombe won 1-0, the only time they have beaten Barnet in the league so far. Nathan Tyson scored the Wycombe goal. The return, at Underhill, in January ended in a goalless draw and saw the debut of Andy Hessenthaler.

In 2006/07, Liam Hatch put Barnet ahead in the match at Adams Park in December, Tommy Mooney equalised for Wycombe and the match ended 1-1. In the return at Underhill, in the last game of the season, Barnet won 2-1 with goals from Dean Sinclair and Magno Vieira, who were both playing their last games for Barnet. Ex-bee, Scott McGleish scored for Wycombe.

Last season, in the match at Underhill in October, Wycombe went 1-0 up in the first half through John Sutton. Barnet were giving a rather tired performance until Liam Hatch came on as a second half substitute and livened up the Bees' performance, firing home a fine Adam Birchall cross to put the scores level and then, Jason Puncheon scored a late winner to make it 2-1 to Barnet In the return at Adams Park, in January the two sides drew 0-0.

In league matches between the two sides, Barnet have won 2 matches, Wycombe 1 and 3 have been drawn. Neither side has yet won away from home.