This is going to be another busy end of season episode. When we left the journey last time out we had just knocked Man City out of the FA Cup to qualify for the Quarter Final and we had also been drawn against Ajax in the Second Round of the Europa League.
Add that to our quest to return to the Champions League and we have our selves quite a hectic schedule.
So Lets get straight to it
FA Cup Quarter Final Draw
Our reward for beating Man City in the last round was to welcome Chelsea to Adams Park in the Quarter Final.
March 2029
Europa League Second Knockout Round First Leg - Ajax (A) 0-0
After beating Ajax to the top of the group an avoid in First Knockout Round we were rewarded with a game against Ajax.
The first leg was the pure definition of a stalemate as neither side made any inroads into each other defences.
All to play for at Adams Park.
Match 29 - Aston Villa (H) 2-2
We raced into a 2-0 lead through Mukombwe and Almada and cruised into half time in front.
The second half could not have gone any differently. I thought the game was wrapped up after Villa were reduced to 10 men but it seemed to spur them on and before we knew it we had been pegged back level.
There was no recovery and we have to see that as 2 dropped points.
Europa League Second Knockout Round Second Leg - Ajax (H) 2-1
For a second game in a row we raced into a 2-0 lead, this time through Henrique and Jack Clarke.
The second half was much of the same dominance but we were unable to add to the goal tally. There was always a danger that one goal would bring Ajax back into the tie and they did grab a goal but luckily it was in the 91st minute and we survived a late charge to qualify for the next round.
The Quarter Final draw was made after the game.
Match 30 - Liverpool (A) 3-6
Every season throws up a game that makes absolutely no sense and this one definitely fall into that category.
Goals from Clarke, Viotti and Henrique scored our goals as the defence crumbed to concede 6 goals.
FA Cup Quarter Final - Chelsea (H) 2-0
In previous seasons Chelsea have been an absolute pain in our side as we often received a decent beating by them. However this season has been different as we have picked up 2 wins in the league.
The first half was a classic nervous quarter final half as each team didn't want to commit too early.
We sent the lads out for the second half reminding them of how important this half of football was and the message clearly hit home.
Marcelo Henrique got the scoring underway as he often does and Filipe Silva secured the victory with his first goal for the club.
The draw was straight after the game.
In a repeat of last years Semi final we have a chance to enact some revenge on Brighton who beat us 2-1 a year ago.
Disappointing league performance but the performances in the cup competitions are fantastic.
A Club record was also broken during March as Marcelo Henrique became the clubs record goal scorer in the league.
April 2029
Match 31 - Leeds United (H) 3-1
We started the month of April back in the league and back to winning ways.
Radovanovic, Silva and Viotti all scored in the first half to secure an easy victory.
Europa League Quarter Final First Leg - Lyon (A) 4-1
An absolutely perfect first leg performance as Guerra, Henrique (x2) and Clarke put us 4-0 up at half time. That's 4 away goals in the bag.
We conceded late on but we are firmly in the driving seat.
Match 32 - Tottenham (A) 1-2
Another poor performance against one of our top 4 challengers.
We took the lead in the first half through Henrique but we conceded two sloppy late goals to lose the last minute and drop more points in the race for the top 4.
Europa League Quarter Final Second Leg - Lyon (H) 4-0
After the fantastic performance in France confidence was very high going into the second leg.
We put the tie beyond any doubt in the first half as we raced into a 3-0 lead. Jack Clarke (x2) and Radovanovic with the first half goals.
Henrique grabbed a 4th in the second half to secure and emphatic 8-1 win over both legs.
We were drawn against Valencia in the Semi Final.
FA Cup Semi Final - Brighton (N) 3-1
We were beaten semi finalists last season and I was determined to make our first major final in the clubs history.
We started well and were rewarded with an early goal through Marcelo Henrique.
We looked to hold out to half time but couldn't and conceded in stoppage time.
The second half started like the first as we pressed to go back in front. We eventually got out chance and it was from a corner as the ball was floated in and Radovanovic rose highest to power a header home.
Brighton pushed for another equaliser but we punished the counter attack and Marcelo Henrique scored his second as he sealed our place in the final.
Our first FA Cup final!
Match 33 - Leicester (H) 3-3
With cup competitions as clearly being our main focus i made some changes to the starting 11 and planned on resting more starting players earlier than usual.
We punished Leicester early and went 3-0 up in the first 40 minutes. Two Penalties from Almada and the customary Henrique goal.
Leicester nicked a goal in stoppage time to drag it back to 3-1.
I committed to making changes and I followed through to give some key players a rest before next European game.
The second half drifted along until the last 10 minutes when two mistakes cost us two sloppy goals. More points dropped in the league.
European League Semi Final First Leg - Valencia (A) 4-2
We were drawn away in the first leg for the second time in a row, and for the second time in a row we scored 4 away goals.
Two goals from Sheldon and one from Jack Clarke had us 3-1 up at half time.
A Henrique goal in the second half finished our scoring before Valencia dragged one back in added on time.
A strong advantage to take back to Adams Park.
Match 34 - Norwich (A) 2-2
After the excursions on the continent there were some changes to the starting 11. This meant for the first time in a while we had to chase the game after falling behind in the first half.
But Late goals from Silva and Henrique rescued a point.
Once again the positives came in the cup competitions as we qualified for the FA Cup Final and also had a strong advantage in the Europa League Semi Final first leg.
May 2029
Match 35 - Man United (H) 2-1
We welcomed title chasing Man United to Adams Park at a difficult time. We are in the middle of a fixture pile up due to our progression in the Europa league and we could still qualify for the Champions league through the league.
So I couldn't risk resting anyone for this massive game.
In a tight first half we took the lead through Jack Clarke before we were immediately pegged back.
The second half was much of the same but luckily we have Marcelo Henrique. Not for the first time he won us a huge game after a stunning solo goal.
A huge 3 points this close to the end of the season.
European League Semi Final Second Leg - Valencia (H) 0-1
With a two goal lead from the first leg and 4 away goals we could afford to not win the game.
It was clear this was the biggest game of the season so far and we played like it as the nerves were clear to see.
We never looked like being in any danger until Valencia scored in the 73rd minute.
We still had the advantage and Valencia need to score 2 more goals which just didn't look likely.
The final whistle went and we, Wycombe Wanderers are in the final of a major European competition.
Just a simple task of PSG in the final........
Match 36 - Sheffield United (H) 2-0
After results went our way in other games a win at home to Sheffield United will secure Champions League Football next season.
Sometimes these games can be a difficult game but we coasted through to a 2-0 victory. Goals from Radovanovic and Henrique secured our top 4 spot.
Match 37 - Burnley (A) 4-2
If i am honest the last 2 games of the season are dead rubbers as we cant finish in any other position than 4th place.
A Silva brace alongside goals from Mukombwe and Contento with the goals
Match 38 - Wolves (A) 0-1
Lots of changes made to rest players for the upcoming finals so this was an expected result.
Three premier league victories and qualification to the Champions League and qualification for the Europa League final. One hell of a season.
Final Table
This is not the end of our season as we have two finals to compete in.
We will have a special episode coming soon to round of the season with an FA Cup/Europa League final double header.
Cheers
Panda
If you have enjoyed this episode and want to fully catch up with our Journey so far you can start way back at the beginning here -
We also recently had our turn in a joint save with other FM creators called "The Far East Express. Please check out our episodes with the link below. One hell of a journey going on in that save.
We also have an fascinating International save going as we attempt to take Jamaica to Gold Cup and World Cup glory after acquiring some new recruits who have been ignored repeatedly by England
