AFC Wimbledon lose 3-0 to Brentford at Cherry Red Records Stadium

BY DANIEL MARSH

AFC Wimbledon continued their preparations for the new season as a stern test ended in a 3-0 defeat against Championship outfit Brentford.

New signings Nathan Trott, Adam Roscrow and Nesta Guinness-Walker all received their first taste of action at Kingsmeadow against higher level opposition where the Dons initially more than held their own.

Both sides played out an entertaining but even first half, with clear chances at a premium. The Dons’ best opportunities were crafted down the left-hand side – with the tandem of Mitch Pinnock and Guinness-Walker combining on a couple of occasions – but chances were spurned by Kwesi Appiah and Roscrow.

The visitors were comfortable on the ball albeit a tad ponderous at times. The Dons front line and midfield runners were often pressing the ball high, with the Bees proving unable to carve Wimbledon open when they did advance up the field.

Brentford made wholesale changes, with a completely different side for the second half and immediately began moving the ball with more purpose, but the hosts initially continued to press effectively.

The deadlock was broken just before the hour mark when a miscued back pass from Will Nightingale was pounced upon by Marcus Forss midway inside the Dons half. Forss raced forward and drove a low effort past Trott from close-range to give the visitors the lead with their first clear-cut chance of the match.

The hosts responded by making 11 changes, but Brentford continued to look dangerous with Ollie Watkins going close on three occasions before two goals in quick succession killed the Dons off.

A deep corner was finished at the back post by Christian Norgaard before Watkins got the goal his dangerous cameo deserved, as he finished off a smart run and cross from Rico Henry from close-range to finish the match off.