Ainsworth bemoans Bloomfield costly error

JIMMY Smith's excellent finish proved the difference at a sundrenched Checkatrade Stadium, as Crawley started the season with a narrow victory at home to Wycombe.

Smith pounced on a mistake from Wanderers' Matt Bloomfield to net the winner just before the hour mark to earn Dermot Drummy his first win as manager of the Reds.

And Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth felt Bloomfield's error turned the tide for his side.

“A mistake has cost us the game, and things turn on that,” he said.

Half of Drummy's 16 new summer signings started for the hosts, whilst the visitors handed competitive debuts to Scott Brown, Myles Weston and Dayle Southwell.

New Chairboys recruit Southwell had an effort hacked off the line by Joe McNerney, whilst at the other end, Jordan Roberts' pass found James Collins, but his strike was beaten away by Scott Brown.

After the break, both sides had opportunities, with Joe Jacobson firing over for Wycombe, and Collins testing Brown.

But moments later the opener did come after Bloomfield could not deal with a ball forward and skipper Smith confidently guided the ball past Brown from 12 yards.

Smith and Josh Payne missed from range, before Garry Thompson – who had seven goals from ten matches against Crawley before the game – had two great chances in the final ten minutes to earn a point for Wycombe, but blasted high over the bar on both occasions.

Crawley had to deal with Andre Blackman picking up a second yellow card late on, but the hosts held on to end Ainsworth's 100 per cent opening day winning record in charge of the Chairboys, to the delight of Drummy.

“I haven't really rehearsed a victory speech yet but I'm really pleased and the players deserve full credit for the win,” he said.

“It was great to see the spirit from everyone today – the players, staff and fans.

“We had to stand up for ourselves and the players really put their bodies in there. We didn't let Wycombe play, we worked hard and got kicked but really deserved the win.”

Ainsworth said: “Changing the system didn't help after 20 minutes with Myles Weston having to go off, and then we lost Luke O'Nien and Michael Harriman.

“I thought we dominated the first half and supplied so many balls into their box.”