AFC Wimbledon 0 Sunderland 3 – Dons’ winless league run stretched to seven matches
BY DANIEL MARSH
AFC Wimbledon saw their winless run stretch to seven league games following a 3-0 defeat to Sunderland at Plough Lane.
The finishing from Charlie Wyke was the difference between the two sides, as he netted a fine hat-trick to ensure the points headed back north.
The Black Cats took just seven minutes to find their groove in the capital. Former Millwall man Aiden O’Brien received the ball near the byline and showed good awareness to cut the ball back across the six-yard box for his strike partner Wyke to tuck home from point-blank range.
Wimbledon came into the game looking to build on their midweek win at Bristol Rovers in the EFL trophy.
Jack Rudoni netted his first senior goal on Tuesday night and he looked the hosts’ most viable option for dragging them back into the game.
The Dons midfielder stung the palms of Lee Burge with a fierce effort from 20 yards midway through the first period and he continued to try and pull the strings in the middle, even if Wimbledon didn’t muster much up in response to Wyke’s opener.
Wimbledon did brighten up after the break, with both Ryan Longman and Nesta Guinness-Walker going close to finding the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Unfortunately that lively start was as good as it got in the second half.
Both sides struggled to create anything of note as time ticked away with the visitors looking comfortable with their lead.
Glyn Hodges introduced academy graduate Zach Robinson from the bench as part of a triple change to try and spark a late revival for the Dons.
But the late switch failed to make its mark, as Sunderland finished with a late rally to seal the points. Wyke volleyed home an 87th-minute corner to all but condemn Wimbledon to defeat in SW19.
But there was still time for Wyke to grab his third late on in injury-time. The big striker was played through and made no mistake, lifting the ball over the advancing Sam Walker to compound a miserable afternoon for the Dons.
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