Notts County lost 2-0 to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday 17 October, a result that deepens their early-season struggles in League One. An own goal from Max Sanders and a late strike from Fred Onyedinma sealed a comfortable win for the hosts at Adams Park.
A difficult afternoon
Wycombe controlled the game from the outset, finishing with 54% possession and 15 shots to County's four. The visitors failed to register a single shot on target. The opening goal arrived in the 44th minute when a cross from Daniel Harvie was turned into his own net by midfielder Max Sanders. County manager Paterson made a half-time change, bringing on Ishé Samuels-Smith for Lucas Ness, but his side could not find a way back into the contest. Wycombe wrapped up the points four minutes from time when Harvie's assist was finished by Fred Onyedinma for his third league goal of the season.
The table and what's next
Their goal difference stands at minus three, having scored eight and conceded eleven. They now face a quick turnaround with a home fixture against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday 20 October. The Owls, currently eighth, will provide another stern test at Meadow Lane. County's recent form shows two wins and three losses from their last five outings across all competitions, a run that includes a heavy 5-1 win over Nottingham Forest's under-21 side in the EFL Trophy but also league defeats to Oxford United and Reading. The team's recent results sequence is a loss, a win, a loss, a win, and a loss, following the 2-0 defeat at Wycombe, the 5-1 Trophy victory, a 1-2 loss to Oxford United, a 2-1 win over Grimsby, and a 2-0 loss at Reading.
Paterson used all five of his available substitutes in the second half in an attempt to change the game's momentum, introducing Scott Robertson, Conor Grant, Kanu and Matt Palmer. James Gibbons was booked in stoppage time for a foul, one of two yellow cards for the visitors alongside one for Robertson. The immediate focus shifts to preparing for the visit of Sheffield Wednesday, a match that takes on added significance as County look to climb away from the lower reaches of the table, a position that sees them twelve points behind leaders Plymouth. Wycombe's victory moves them up to 15th place with ten points. The Chairboys' manager, Matt Bloomfield, praised his team's professional performance and their ability to capitalise on County's mistakes. He highlighted the importance of the clean sheet, their second in the league this season. For Notts County, the lack of attacking threat was a major concern, with the forward line of Jodi Jones and Macaulay Langstaff largely isolated throughout the match. The team's passing accuracy in the final third was recorded at just 62%, compared to Wycombe's 71%.
