JACOBS LADDER
Full-back Joe the hero as Chairboys hit the heights
GARETH AINSWORTH wants Wycombe fans to dream after his Chairboys took an emotional rollercoaster to the top of League One.
A spectacular double from left-back Joe Jacobson helped take the club to the highest position in their 132-year history.
Jacobson gave them the lead from a 25-yard free-kick inside five minutes before delivering a corner that went in off Michael Bostwick – then scored direct from another corner to make it 3-1 in the 75th minute.
Wycombe were taken over by a Supporter’s Trust in 2012 and only avoided relegation from the Football League with a last-day win in 2014.
Boss Ainsworth said: “I want the fans to dream – that is what football is all about.
I want to see Wycombe shirts at school when the kids aren’t embarrassed to wear them.
“There is no better team in the lower leagues at the moment. There will be of course – I don’t expect to finish where we are by any means – but enjoy this moment and cherish because it is really special if you have followed Wycombe for many years.” Ainsworth left pitchside during the second half to check on Matt Bloomfield after his captain was carried off on a stretcher. “I went through every emotion today,” the manager said. “I am not embarrassed to say I almost choked up going into the dressing room with Matt and seeing his mum and the state he was in. He is OK – he was the first to say: ‘Gaffer, get back outside, they need you out there’.”
His counterpart Danny Cowley is again favourite to take over at Huddersfield after a fresh approach for the Imps boss on Friday. But Ainsworth outfoxed Cowley by packing the midfield and letting Lincoln have possession in the first half.
He then matched up the visitors’ 4-4-2 formation after sub John Akinde went on at the break and scored a controversial goal in the 50th minute as Bloomfield and Bruno Andrade were lying injured in the six-yard box.
Jacobson said: “If people come in for Gareth Ainsworth he will deserve it. He has done an incredible job. From five years ago when we survived in the league on the last day of the season to being top of League One now is amazing.”