Half-time in the League One Play Off Battle
Updated: Jul 23, 2023
Wycombe Wanderers, Milton Keynes, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday all still have their sights set on Wembley after pulsating first-leg fixtures.
Wycombe came out on top against Milton Keynes on Thursday, winning comfortably in the end against 10-man MK who looked a shadow of the side that thrashed Plymouth 0-5 on the last day of the regular season. Ryan Tafazolli and Sam Vokes scored the decisive goals in each half, with the latter also having one chalked off in the first half for offside.
Wycombe's long ball tactics weren't dealt with by MK, and they made it 7 home games unbeaten whilst also keeping 7 clean sheets in that time.
MK will still be confident they can turn it around in the second leg and the stats would suggest they have got a chance. Not only have they got the Sky Bet League One Player of the Season in Scott Twine, they too have a remarkable home record and will be hoping to keep up the form which has seen them lose once in 9 matches at Stadium MK.
In the other play-off semi final, Sunderland came out on top, and will be taking a 1-0 advantage into the second leg at Hillsborough thanks to a first-half stoppage time winner from Ross Stewart.
Sunderland will be disappointed they did not add to the lead though, after Lynden Gooch and Alex Pritchard both hit the bar, along with Dennis Cirkin and Stewart missing golden opportunities for the black cats in the second half.
Sheffield Wednesday will take pride in their defensive display and their attacking intent in the last twenty minutes of the mammoth tie at the Stadium of Light shows how open this tie still is. With a sell-out Hillsborough expected on Monday, the Owls will still be confident despite being one behind.
Fans of all 4 sides will still be nervous and will, for sure, be biting their nails from the first whistle on Sunday or Monday in what is set to be a very exciting League One play-off race.
All photos taken by me at games this season.
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