Arsenal

2-1

Wycombe Wanderers

Simpson 45, Barazite 107

 

Botham 11


The FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON
Third Round
Wednesday 13 December 2006
13 December 2006
VIDEO: Arsenal v Wycombe Wanderers

Ian Culverhouse's Wycombe take Arsenal all the way to extra time with the 2001 winners coming up trumps in the end.

Steve Bould's talented Arsenal youngsters needed extra-time to see off Wycombe's spirited challenge and progress to the FA Youth Cup's Fourth Round Proper at Barnet last night.

The visitors were ahead in eleven minutes through left-winger Callum Botham and defended solidly until Jay Simpson levelled in the last minute of the first half. Arsenal created a lot more chances playing down the slope in the second period but they had to wait until the 107th minute for the winner, substitute Nacer Barazite slotting into the bottom corner.

Wycombe, managed by former Spurs player Ian Culverhouse, were determined to match Arsenal physically and there were firm tackles from the start.

After a first ten minutes in which Wycombe became visibly more confident in their play, they shocked the Young Gunners with a simple goal. Botham, in his big white boots, took the ball round the last defender on the edge of the box and steadied himself before slamming a left-footer past Lee Butcher.

Arsenal pushed forward at every opportunity but, with Wycombe defending high up the field, the home side were finding it hard to get near the goal. Late in the half the chances started to come as the wingers came more into the game and Perez, Simpson and Fonte fired in shots that either just missed the target or were held by an excellent 'keeper in Adam Holloway.

In the last moments before half-time Wycombe gave the ball away near the right touchline and, after it had been cut back into the goalmouth, Simpson side-footed home from close in with the defence in disarray.

The momentum was certainly with Arsenal in the second period but there was a long stoppage for some pushing and shoving in the centre-circle after Fonte had been fouled. Referee Child elected to show two yellow cards. Simpson was looking particularly dangerous out on the left, cutting inside for shots on his right foot, but he was one of several players who appeared to be affected by cramp in normal time.

Francisco Merida Perez, who showed skill on the ball throughout, beat several players in a mazy run through the middle before shooting a foot wide of Holloway's right-hand post.

Barazite's late effort finally took Arsenal through to a Fourth Round tie away to Hull City. The Gunners last won The FA Youth Cup in 2001.