AFC Wimbledon create history as they reach EFL Cup third round – with Paul Osew looking back to his best

BY LAURENCE LOWNE

The last time AFC Wimbledon visited Northampton Town was in a thrilling 2-2 draw on the first day of 2020-21 season, during lockdown in glorious sunshine, which saw debutant Ethan Chislett score within 23 seconds.

Since then there have been many changes in both camps, with Mark Robinson now the Dons head coach and the Cobblers suffering relegation.

While Wimbledon struck extremely early on their previous trip to Sixfields, on Tuesday they left it very, very late to win the EFL Cup second round tie by a 1-0 scoreline. A 35-yard goal from Anthony Hartigan – in the fifth minute of stoppage time – saved their blushes.

“I realise that it’s great to get through and we’ve created a bit of history, but I was really disappointed with the performance,” said Robinson. “We were miles off it. It’s the worst we’ve been since I had the job. Physically and technically, it wasn’t good to watch at all.

“We’ve got to have high standards. I know people say it’s a sign of a good side when you win after not playing well, but for me, they had far too many good situations.

“They were pressing us and if that happens we need to move the ball quickly and take responsibility. We didn’t do that.”

Nik Tzanev’s penalty save at Plough Lane in the last meeting of the two clubs gave Wimbledon vital belief they could stay up – ensuring Joe Pigott’s 88th-minute goal was a winner.

Tzanev was the busier keeper in midweek with Northampton looking more up for the game than the Dons.

Quite how the home side’s Kion Etete failed to open the scoring, let alone add another, is down to some luck and great defending, none more so than from substitute Henry Lawrence, who cleared a point-blank shot from inside the six-yard box in the second half.

Whether Northampton keeper Jonny Maxted was unsighted or Hartigan’s shot took any sort of deflection, it still saw Wimbledon secure the 1-0 win. It is the furthest they have progressed in the League Cup since returning to the EFL.

Wimbledon players want to be history makers this season, and this is certainly an historic win, albeit somewhat scrappy.

Striker Aaron Pressley was too often isolated, meaning he was unable to utilise his close skills and quick thinking around the penalty box. On the single occasion he did, Dapo Mebude found himself surrounded by home players and the opportunity vanished.

One player who found space and was a constant thorn was Paul Osew, who scored in the previous round at Charlton before suffering a concussion injury.

His pace and trickery, and crossing ability shone out and alongside Hartigan, he looks back to his best.

One of Osew’s runs set up Hartigan in the first half, whose shot flashed narrowly wide from outside the box.

Those who have seen Hartigan down the years at youth level will remember his many goals from distance and Robinson appears to have rekindled the midfielder’s self-belief in that ability.

He had another blocked at Sunderland on Saturday.

Osew also had his own shot, although deflected off a defender in the second half, scrambled clear from the goal-line when it looked destined for the net.

It would have capped a decent display.

Overall though Wimbledon failed to look like the League One side, and leaving the experienced Will Nightingale and Alex Woodyard on the bench meant the youngsters had an opportunity to learn.

STAR MAN
Hartigan will take the plaudits for his goal, but Paul Osew contributed most over the evening with constant probing and runs at the defence.

BEST MOMENT
A confident Hartigan eager to strike from range again – his long-distance hit proved to be decisive.