Four takeaways from AFC Wimbledon’s 2-1 win at Rochdale – Woodyard made the difference but defence remains an issue

BY DAVE HUNT-JACKSON

AFC Wimbledon somehow held on to win a tense encounter in what looked very much what it was, a bottom-of-the-table clash at Rochdale’s Crown Oils Arena on Saturday.

The Dons created only two chances of note in a drab first half, and both came from deflections off their opponents. Having hit the first chance at the ‘keeper Ayoub Assal made no mistake at the second time of asking.

Rochdale were a different side in the second half, and it was very much against the run of play when Josh Davison doubled the lead from Jack Currie’s long clearance. However, more defensive frailties from the Dons handed the home side a lifeline as they pulled a goal back through Tyrese Sinclair barely two minutes after Davison’s second.

The Dons looked anything but composed as they hung on to the lead through the rest of the second half and seven minutes of injury time to land a vital three points.

Here are Dave Hunt-Jackson’s four takeaways from the match:

Woody made the difference.

Captain Alex Woodyard made his first start of the season and ended up playing 93 minutes of a feisty encounter that saw him booked for dissent as he left the field of pay. 

Playing slightly further forward than usual, Woodyard was the driving force behind much of the Dons’ attacks, and it was his deflected shot which fell to Ayoub Assal to open the scoring. 

His return could not have been better timed with Paris Maghoma missing due to suspension and George Marsh injured. For all his talent, the Brentford loanee lacks the energy levels of his skipper, and he brings much-needed experience to the heart of South Londoners’ midfield. 

Along with Harry Pell and defenders Chris Gunter and Lee Brown, the Dons finally have players who will not be bullied by the roughhouse tactics of League Two opposition and who are not shy to give instant feedback on the seemingly ever-present poor refereeing.

Winning the six-pointers.

It is a huge concern that Wimbledon have failed to beat any of the teams above their lowly position of 17th, and they are still way below their full potential, but this was a hugely important win.

Historically, AFC Wimbledon have tended to pull out shock results against high-flying teams whilst failing to beat opponents at the wrong end of the table. This year, however, the Dons’ four wins have all come against sides in or around the relegation zone. 

Like it or not, this game had the feel of a six-pointer between two sides who have struggled. 

Thoughts of a quick return to League One have long been shelved, and the job in hand is to climb away from the dreaded drop zone, which is now a healthier 6 points away. It is vital that this trend continues with the visits of Crewe and Harrogate Town on the horizon.

The defence remains an issue.

Although this was an improvement from the performance against Sutton, Jackson’s side were far from convincing in defending their lead against a Rochdale side that, despite winning their previous two matches, looked low on confidence and low on ideas.

A lapse in concentration again cost the Dons a goal, and it was an unforgivable one. Having just taken the lead, they found themselves hit on the counter, and with the full-backs committed to an attack, the three-man defence was no match for the three-man Rochdale attack.

The irony is that neither of Wimbledon’s goals were due to the attacking overload that a 3-5-2 formation is supposed to provide, and against better sides than Rochdale, this will be exposed. A goals conceded column of 1.5 per game is much of the reason for Wimbledon’s struggles this season.

Route One, but where is Hudlin?

Josh Davison’s goal that proved the winner was a proper old-fashioned route one effort as he latched onto a 50-yard clearance from Jack Currie and outpaced the Rochdale defence before beating ‘keeper Richard O’Donnell from a tight angle. 

Davison’s header on for Assal at Carlisle from Nik Tzanev’s clearance was another example of the direct approach working this season.

Indeed Wimbledon should try to get the ball forward from the boot of their Kiwi shotstopper on a regular basis.

What is puzzling, however, is why they don’t seek to deploy Huddersfield loanee Kyle Hudlin as a target man alongside Davison, with Assal in the space behind them. 

Assal is a real talent, but neither he nor Davison will be winning many headers against six-foot-plus centre-halves!

Best Moment: Josh Davison’s composed finish after outrunning the Rochdale back line to double the lead and secure a vital three points

Star Man: Alex Woodyard: Although just back from a long layoff, he looked sharp, aggressive and was extremely effective in driving his side forward as well and had a large hand in the opening goal.

MATCH PHOTOS AND MAIN PHOTO: LUCY DIXON

WOODYARD PHOTO: KEITH GILLARD