ON-TRIAL goalkeeper Ian Feuer walked off with the man-of-the-match award as Wanderers restricted Chelsea's all-star team to just a one goal victory.

The 6ft 6in former West Ham, Luton and Wimbledon glovesman produced vital saves from Frank Lampard, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Danish World cup ace Jesper Gronkjaer and Carlton Cole.

The 31-year-old, who is available on a free transfer, was only beaten by Gianfranco Zolas stunning 35th minute curling shot which exploded off the Italians left boot.

But while the 8,249-strong crowd applauded the strike, the American net-minder berated himself for letting it in.

He said: I was gutted with the goal. It was a cracking strike but I know I can get to them and I think if I was match-fit I would have got to it.

He was disappointed because he fancies a permanent move to Adams Park.

He said: I would love to come here. It looks like a great set-up and a nice place to be.

Sanchez brought Feuer in because he feels three-times Player of The Year Martin Taylor wont be ready for the big kick off at Notts County in eight days.

And he is worried that reserve team keeper Mark Osborn is not ready for the Nationwide League.

Sanchez said: Ive no problems with Ozzie but my worry is that if he has to play for two or three months and he makes a mistake it could get on top of him.

We got Ian in and he did great. Whether we can afford him I dont know. I will sit down and discuss it with him. There will need to be a bit of jiggling because our budget is our budget.

The money he was on at Wimbledon is a lot different to the money we pay here. We have a wage structure and we cant break the bank."

Sanchez faces stiff competition from third division Orient for his signature.

Feuer says he doesnt mind stepping down the divisions after being released by Wimbledon.

He said: I like what Ive seen and I'd be happy if it developed into something further. We havent discussed anything but I dont think money would be a stumbling block. It's not the be all and end all.

There are three or four clubs interested, but I appreciate that Wycombe let me play on this stage."

Sanchez was pleased with Feuer and the rest of his team.

He said: There were a lot of positives. We had chances to score goals. Lewis Cook put in a great cross at the end and if someone had read it we could have equalised.

And the boss was delighted to maintain his record of never having lost to a Premiership side by more than one goal.

It was a cracking goal that beat us. Zola had hardly had a touch and then all of a sudden he bends one in the top corner."

Hasselbaink also had the ball in the net seconds later but his strike was ruled out for offside.

I was pleased with the way we kept it down to one goal but we also had chances near the end to get an equaliser. Our set plays caused them problems.

Mark Rogers had the best chance for Wanderers when he got on the end of a Darren Currie cross but he couldnt steer his free header into the net, while Richard Harris narrowly failed to get on the end of Cook's left wing cross and Dannie Bulman saw his drive rise just over the bar.

Chelsea, who made multiple substitutions at half time swapping internationals for internationals, could also have had more in the second half.

Joe Keenan saw his header come back off the bar and then he whistled a shot just wide after Fillipe Olivera cleverly stepped over Gronkjaers cut back before Feuer produced another smart save to deny Cole.

Meanwhile keeper Taylor, who watched Feuers performance from the stands is hoping to be back training next week.

But Sanchez said: Even if he trains now, hes going to pick up injuries on the back of it. He might be a good keeper but nobody can expect to come back after 15 weeks of not doing anything and not pick up a knock or a pull.

Ive got to do a lot of thinking over the next couple of days about the goalkeeping situation.

Martin has been a great servant to this club, but I cant wait for him to come back I need people to be ready for the start of the season.

Its crucial we get off to a good start. We need to be running from day one at Notts County.

CLICK LINK BELOW FOR PICTURES OF CROWD TAKEN AT THE MATCH

Wycombe: Feuer, Senda (Townsend 44), Vinnicombe, McCarthy (Thomson 75), Rogers, Currie, Simpson, Bulman (Lee 88), Brown (Cook 65), Faulconbridge (Devine 60), Harris (Ryan 89) subs not used: Osborn, Johnson

Chelsea: De Goey, Melchiot (Ferrer 46), Gallas, Desailly(Oliveria 46). (Huth 46), Le Saux (Babyaro), Stanic (Lucas 46), Lampard (Morris 46) Keenan, Zenden (De Lucas 46) Hasselbaink (Cole 46), Zola (Gronkjaer 46).

August 2, 2002 11:00