Bees are tormented by terrific Thompson
WYCOMBE Wanderers sit top of the table after spoiling Barnet’s party but manager Gareth Ainsworth is keen to preach caution.
The Bees were buzzing after knocking Millwall out of the Capital One Cup in midweek but two goals from visiting striker Garry Thompson saw Ainsworth’s men take all three points home with them.
New signing Thompson hit a beauty on 53 minutes, leaving Barnet goalkeeper Graham Stack stranded as he turned and fired into the top corner.
The hosts threw everything at Wycombe and substitute Michael Gash was desperately unlucky to see an overhead kick brilliantly saved by Matt Ingram before Thompson settled matters from the penalty spot deep into injury time.
“Barnet are a strong side and they had some big lads on the pitch at the end.We had to deal with a lot that they threw at us,” said Ainsworth, whose side beat York City 3-0 last weekend.
“But we fought hard and I thought we deserved the points.
“I’m really proud of the commitment shown by all of them; Garry Thompson’s work rate was phenomenal and he deserved both his goals for that alone and in Matt Ingram we’ve got the best goalkeeper in the division.
“We are top of the league but it doesn’t mean a thing. It’s nice to be up there but there’s plenty of football to be played yet.”
Barnet boss Martin Allen was frustrated that his side, who were beaten 2-0 at Leyton Orient in their opener, did not make pressure tell in front of their home fans.
Striker John Akinde used his strength well but twice fired wide when through on goal in the first half, while captain Curtis Weston saw an effort blocked and winger Luke Gambin hit the bar before the break.
And substitute Gash, who came on despite having eight stitches in a gash to the head he suffered against Millwall, went closest at the death as Barnet threw everything at Wycombe but couldn’t find a way through.
“We dominated the game. We had chances galore but we didn’t take them,” said Allen.
“At Millwall we were absolutely superb. Against Orient for 65 minutes we were the dominant team and I don’t think anyone could leave here saying that Barnet were beaten by a far better team.
“I think 90 per cent of the game was played in their final third of the pitch but we just didn’t have enough to get in.
“If you don’t make chances then you’ve got a big problem as a manager but we’re creating chances. We’re not taking them at the moment but we’re opening teams up and if we continue to do that then points will come.”