PHOTO SPOTLIGHT: Non-League Wealdstone’s FA Cup dream comes to an end at the hands of League One high-flyers Wycombe Wanderers – as ANDY HOOPER captures all the action
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Welcome to Photo Spotlight. For our latest episode of the series, ANDY HOOPER soaked up the passion, drama and tension of Stamford Bridge while capturing photos of Wealdstone’s FA Cup second round clash with comparative giants Wycombe Wonderers.
The National League outfit played host to the League One leaders on Saturday in what had the potential to be a massive upset, only for Wycombe to not read the script and come through the tie with a 2-0 win to enter the third round of the cup.
Fans flocked to Grosvenor Vale with their tin foil trophies and steaming flasks of tea in the hope Matty Taylor’s National League outfit might make it to the third round of the FA Cup for only the second time in their rich 125-year history and the first time since 1983.
Yet Wycombe arrived in blistering form, and duly took the lead with a moment of quality by Beryly Lubala in the 29th minute, who curled his free kick beautifully into the top left corner to break the deadlock.
The visitors had made 11 changes ahead of the game as their League One campaign goes on, but after a raft of substitutions, Wycombe star Richard Kone came off the bench to make it 2-0 with six minutes to play, and end the Stones’ aspirations of a dream cup run.
Our man Andy Hooper was in position at Grosvenor Vale to absorb the highs and lows of the FA Cup clash.
One Wealdstone fan proudly showed off their impressive pin badge collection ahead of the big occasion
Autograph hunters among the home fans were on the lookout for any players’ signatures
It was all hands on deck as Wealdstone employees rushed to get the refreshments sorted
Away fans faced a slightly different entry to the away end than they might be used to up in League One
Gordon Parmar Hill – AKA The Wealdstone Raider – is a builder who gained internet fame as a meme
As a legendary cult figure around Wealdstone, fans rushed to take their pictures with him
The players made their way out on to the Grosvenor Vale pitch via a special red carpet for the occasion
Wycombe goalkeeper Shamal George clears his lines from outside his box during the FA Cup tie
With belief in the air, several supporters flocked to the ground armed with tin foil FA Cup cutouts
Players compete for the ball after a cross is sent into a dangerous area in the Wycombe box
Beryly Lubala scored a beautiful free-kick which was bent into the top left-hand corner on 29 minutes
A few lucky Wealdstone-supporting youngsters were given the chance to run up the touchline
Wycombe Wanderers’ fans were in full voice throughout what was a comfortably FA Cup win
But it wasn’t to be for the hosts, whose wait for just a second third-round appearance goes on
