INGRAM’S STAR IS ON THE RISE
GARETH Ainsworth tipped goalkeeper Matt Ingram for the Premier League as Wycombe Wanderers crowned an unbeaten opening month with a hardearned point at Crawley Town.
After missing out on promotion in heartbreaking fashion at Wembley last season, it has been an impressive start to the campaign for the Chairboys.
And in a game short on chances it was Ingram who caught the eye for Ainsworth.
“It was a pleasing day. Obviously fans want to see loads of goals, but a 3-3 is the same as a 0-0, you get one point. I’m pleased with that and I’m sure we can get some goals next week at home,” he said.
“It’s good to only have conceded one goal in the Football League. It’s something to be very proud of. We’ve got a fantastic keeper in goal and the back four, which has changed, has stayed solid.
“He (Ingram) is an imposing figure and he will play at the top level, I am sure of that. It’s great to have him at Wycombe Wanderers.
“He’s done what he’s paid to do. He’s paid to keep clean sheets. His kicking could’ve been a little bit better, but overall I’m very pleased with the defensive display.”
Crawley’s Lewis Young - brother of Manchester United ace Ashley – forced Ingram into two fine first-half saves.
Meanwhile at the other end Crawley stopper Freddie Woodman – on loan from Newcastle United – quickly recovered to deny Aaron Holloway what looked a certain goal, after making a hash of keeping hold of Thompson’s initial effort.
After the break Ingram’s fine form continued. The goalkeeper denied Simon Walton with a fingertip save before Welsh winger Gwion Edwards forced him into action, this time saving well at his near post.
After Luke Rooney intercepted the ball on the half-way line, Crawley launched a surging attack that culminated in Edwards teeing up Young, only for Ingram to push the ball away from danger.
With time ticking away, Thompson powered a right-footed drive that flashed past the far post, after managing to peel away from his marker on a corner kick.
Roarie Deacon escaped Wycombe’s back line in the 88th minute, but was eventually denied by Ingram in the Chairboys’ goal as the keeper held on to his clean sheet.
The full-time whistle marked Crawley’s third consecutive clean sheet in League Two, but Mark Yates rued his side’s finishing, with the Reds boss believing his side could have taken all three points.
“I thought we worked our socks off and it was a good game of football for 0-0,” he said.
“Putting the ball in the back of the net proved elusive, with a couple of wasteful finishes and a couple of good saves from their keeper.
“We don’t fear anybody. Our aim today was to get three points and capitalise on a good win last week.We couldn’t quite manage it, but it wasn’t through lack of effort. I thought we’d go on to win the game.The belief was there. It just didn’t quite happen for us.”