Four takeaways as AFC Wimbledon see off Lincoln City

BY DAVE HUNT-JACKSON

AFC Wimbledon extended their unbeaten run in League One to three matches with a 1-0 win at Lincoln City on Tuesday night.  Brentford loanee Aaron Pressley converted from the penalty spot in the fifth minute after Luke McCormick was brought down. Here are Dave Hunt-Jackson’s four takeaways:

JACK RUDONI BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN AARON PRESSLEY

For some reason Luke McCormick saves his best performances for when Jack Rudoni is also in the side. The two have struck up an understanding and playing off Aaron Pressley suits them, but they both carry a similar threat with the ability to run at their opposition or find the decisive pass. With Ayoub Assal aiding and abetting them they ran Lincoln ragged at times. Both have also fully bought into Mark Robinson’s high-pressing game which led to McCormick winning the ball in the fifth minute before being felled for the penalty that led to the winning goal.

ALEX WOODYARD LEADING FROM THE FRONT

The Dons captain is a different player this year. He is one of the elder statesmen in a very young squad and it is crucial he leads by example. He covers every blade of grass, breaking up the opposition’s play and allows Anthony Hartigan the freedom to be the playmaker he has now become. Arguably AFC Wimbledon’s best player of the season, it is easy to see why his head coach is championing his case for a Wales call up.

AARON PRESSLEY IS STARTING TO LOOK A REAL HANDFUL

The Brentford loanee was always going to need time to adjust to men’s football and he would probably like to have scored more goals than the three penalties and one goal from open play that he has mustered this term. That said, he looks stronger and sharper with each start and was a real handful on Tuesday night as he won almost everything in the air and was unlucky not to have added an assist or two to his confidently struck penalty. With Ollie Palmer’s return further delayed, his improving form could not come at a better time.

AFC WIMBLEDON HOLD OUT FOR A WIN

With so many fightbacks and so much late drama, head coach Robinson will have been delighted as his charges held off Lincoln with seeming ease from the fifth minute to the 95th. Yes they could, and probably should, have put their hosts to bed long before the final whistle but a clean sheet and three points ground out on the road was the perfect way to return from the international break and the Dons will be looking to build on this new-found solidity and continue their climb up the League One table.

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD