A STRONG Wycombe Wanderers team consigned Basingstoke Town to defeat in their final pre-season fixture at The Soccer AM Stadium.

The visitors, who reached the League Two play-off final in May, showed their class during a comfortable victory, Town finding it hard to deal with their strength and physicality.

The host were simply not allowed to play the game they wanted to, especially during the first half, with the Wycombe forwards hunting in packs to prevent them passing the ball out from defence.

As a result, they were rushed into playing hopeful balls forward. Chris Flood and Manny Williams were unable to get much change out of two big, physical centre-halves, so the hosts struggled to get a foothold in the game.

The visitors only led by a single goal at half-time, but Town’s Aaron Howe was much the busier goalkeeper. Two goals in the space of five minutes early in the second half extended the lead, but Basingstoke didn’t give up, with Tom Bird and Shaun McAuley making a positive impact as substitutes.

David Ray pulled a goal back and Town pushed on in the closing stages, but they were unable to get back into the game.

Home manager Jason Bristow used the game to see how his side got on in a 4-4-2 formation, while Will Salmon was given a chance to show what he can do at left-back and Harrison Gilkes started on the wing.

Wycombe were out of the blocks quickly, putting Town under pressure from the first whistle. This pressure almost told in the first minute, the visitors pouncing on a misplaced pass from Jay Gasson, with Aaron Holloway failing to find the target from close range.

Basingstoke struggled to get out of their own half in the early stages, pinned in by Wycombe’s high press, but the visitors failed to really test Howe, who comfortably dealt with efforts from Holloway and Marcus Bean.

The home goalkeeper was forced into an excellent save just before the half-hour though. There was more than a hint of handball about the way that Paul Hayes brought the ball down in the area, but his shot on the turn was destined for the top corner until Howe got finger-tips to in.

Town then struggled to deal with a succession of corners. Simon Dunn made a goal-line clearance to keep out one header, but Bean rose unchallenged to head the next flag-kick past Howe.

More chances followed for the visitors before half-time, with Joe Jacobson firing narrowly wide and both Stephen McGinn and Holloway forcing smart saves from Howe.

Dunn then made his second goal-line clearance of the game, hacking Aaron Pierre’s header off the line as Wycombe continued to threaten from corners. The hosts were also fortunate not to concede an own-goal, the ball glancing the outside of the post off a Town head.

Basingstoke made a double change at the break and one of the substitutes, Lloyd Macklin, almost made an instant impact, but a good challenge from Jacobson denied him a shooting chance.

The visitors doubled their lead on 53 minutes, centre-back Anthony Stewart producing a fine turn on the edge of the area before guiding a low shot into the bottom corner.

Ryan Sellers then made it 3-0 five minutes later, cutting in from the left wing before smashing a dipping shot over Howe and in off the underside of the crossbar from 25 yards.

The same player had a chance to add a fourth soon after, but his header ended up on the roof of the net, while Max Kretzschmar was denied by Howe.

Liam Enver-Marum forced Wycombe goalkeeper Matt Ingram into his first save of the night with an angled drive on 64 minutes, and the hosts managed a consolation goal from the resulting corner. Louie Soares’ delivery was a good one and Ray did well to rise and power home a header from close range.

Sellers forced another good save out of Howe from a free-kick, but in general, Town were the better side in the closing stages.

They nearly grabbed a second goal with seven minutes to play, but Nathan Smart was unable to head Soares’ cross on target after making a late run into the area.

Click here to watch a post-match interview with Basingstoke Town manager Jason Bristow

PLAYER RATINGS

Aaron Howe – 8 (out of 10) – Gazette Star Man

Made a couple of minor mistakes, but had no chance with any of the goals and pulled off a string of good saves to keep the score down.

Robbie Rice – 6

Did okay, but found it tough up against a tricky winger.

Will Salmon – 6

Didn’t look totally at ease on the left side of defence, but did enough to show that he can cover should Tom Bird get injured.

James Harper – 7

Improved as the game went on and Wycombe allowed Town more space. Rarely gave the ball away.

Jay Gasson – 5

Still doesn’t look on top of his game, with his distribution the main issue.

David Ray – 7

Showed plenty of desire to score his goal and wasn’t overawed by Wycombe’s physical forwards.

Harrison Gilkes – 6

Unable to have much of an impact on the game.

Simon Dunn – 6

Spent most of the time he was on the pitch watching the ball fly over his head. Unable to really get into the game.

Louie Soares – 7

No chance to shine when asked to play as a winger, but came into the game more when Town switched to 4-3-3 towards the end of the first half. Great delivery for the goal.

Chris Flood – 6

Feeding off scraps up against two physical centre-backs.

Manny Williams – 6

Worked hard to put defenders under pressure, but had little chance to shine with the ball.

SUBSTITUTES

Lloyd Macklin (for Flood 45min) – 7

Caused a few problems with his pace.

Liam Enver-Marum (for Dunn 45min) – 7

Much better suited to the battle against two strong centre-backs. Didn’t always come out on top, but gave them more to think about.

Nathan Smart (for Rice 45min) – 6

Struggled early on, but provided an attacking threat as the second half progressed. Really should have scored.

Tom Bird (for Salmon 65min) – 7

The one Town player who looked at home up against League Two opposition.

Shaun McAuley (for Gilkes 65min) – 7

Made a difference when he came on, showing good energy and taking up good positions.

George Hallahan (for Williams 72min) – 6

No real opportunities to get into the game.

Subs (not used): Dave Smalley

Wycombe Wanderers: Ingram, Jombati (sub O’Nien 65min), Jacobson (sub Bloomfied 65min), Stewart, Pierre (sub Benton 76min), Harriman (sub Rowe 76min), McGinn (sub Trialist 65min), Bean, Sellers, Holloway, Hayes (sub Kretzschmar 45min)

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