Wycombe Wanderers stay in League One after defeat to Sunderland in play-off final
The Chairboys will be playing their football in the third division once again next season.
Last updated 21st May 2022
Heartbreak for Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley, after they were beaten 2-0 by Sunderland in the League 1 play off final.
It means Gareth Ainsworth's side will be playing League 1 football once again - with the Blackcats securing second tier football next season.
First Half
Sunderland took the lead in the 12th minute when Elliot Embleton fired a shot at goal which Wycombe goalkeeper David Stockdale was never stopping.
At 37 minutes Joe Jacobson crashed into Patrick Roberts after he received Ross Stewart's backheel pass as he was running in behind which started penalty shouts around Wembley, but Stewart was caught offside.
The Chairboys didn't really get a look in during the first half, but they started to find space just before the referee blew for half time.
Second Half
It was looking as thought it might be a tale of two halves for Wycombe as they started the second half brightly.
The Chairboys tried to take advantage of Sunderland's shaky start to the half as both Jason McCarthy and Daryl Horgan had attempts on goal which were cleared, but it was obvious the pressure was now on for the men in red and white.
Gareth Ainsworth's side had a good chance in the 61st minute as a mistake from Bailey Wright ensured Sam Vokes got through on goal, but he was denied by Anthony Patterson.
20 minutes into the second half Sunderland had another penalty shout as Stewart claimed Roberts brought him down in the Wycombe box, but this was rubbished by the referee and VAR agreed.
But the Black Cats didn't have to wait too long for their second goal as Sunderland made it 2-0 with just ten minutes of the match left to play.
Alex Pritchard did the legwork to get across the pitch to be able to pass the ball to Stewart who drilled it into the far corner, much to the delight of the Sunderland supporters in the stands and beyond.
The threat of Wycombe's Adebayo Akinfenwa who played his last ever game of football wasn't too far away from the Sunderland player's minds so they desperately tried to cling on until the final whistle with their clean sheet.
But ultimately this threat came to nothing and Wycombe Wanderers lost the match 2-0 and won't be marching into the championship next season.