Fulham’s serene progress towards the Division Two title hit a significant setback this afternoon as the Whites were held by a spirited Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park.
Fulham boss Kevin Keegan, heavily linked with the England job after Glenn Hoddle’s departure, wouldn’t answer any questions about the possibility of national service and his mood was hardly cheered by a below-par performance from his promotion hopefuls. It could have been much worse for the big-spending Whites as Lawrie Sanchez’s side took the lead when Maik Taylor spilled a looping cross from Jason Kavanagh – allowing teenager Andy Baird to open the scoring.
The visitors should have been level immediately but the normally clinical Paul Peschisolido headed straight at Wycombe goalkeeper Martin Taylor. The Londoners did equalise eight minutes later when Kit Symons nodded home a free-kick from Steve Hayward to score his fourth goal of the season. Keegan’s side poured forward in search of a winner, with Barry Hayles introduced from the bench, but Wycombe – who included former Fulham defender Matt Lawrence in a determined back five – defended doggedly to hold onto a deserved draw.
Keegan told the press afterwards:
“Maybe the players had half a mind on Manchester United [in the FA Cup next week]. Maybe they heard the score at [Nottingham] Forest. Although I’m not disappointed with the result I’m disappointed with a few players and I told them as much in the dressing- room.”
WYCOMBE WANDERERS (5-4-1): Martin Taylor; Kavanagh (Stallard 71), Vinnicombe, Mohan, Cousins, Lawrence; Conforth (Emblen 85), Simpson, Baird, Ryan; Scott. Subs (not used): Wraight.
BOOKED: Stallard, Kavanagh, Scott.
GOAL: Baird (25).
FULHAM (5-3-2): Maik Taylor; Finnan, Brevett, Albert, Symons (W. Collins 85), Coleman; Bracewell, Trollope, Hayward; Horsfield, Peschisoldio (Hayles 68). Subs (not used): Lehmann.
BOOKED: Peschisolido, Coleman.
GOAL: Symons (33).
