AFC Wimbledon 1 Portsmouth 0 – Terell Thomas grabs dramatic late winner
BY JOSHUA MINCHIN
Glyn Hodges’ AFC Wimbledon side made it three League One wins on the spin with a dramatic late clincher at home to Portsmouth.
Terell Thomas rose highest to head home deep into added time as the Dons climbed out of the relegation zone.
Marcus Forss nearly added to his goal tally 12 minutes in with a lovely bit of skill to slip past the Pompey backline, but his effort was saved with Joe Pigott waiting for the ball to be squared for him to get a tap in.
The visitors went close twice midway through the first half, with Jon Marquis failing to finish after a beautiful ball by Ryan Williams and a headed attempt clattering the Dons crossbar a few minutes later.
Pompey were on top but the Dons still almost went into the break with a surprise lead – Pigott deftly lobbing Craig MacGilivray in the 44th minute, only to see his effort narrowly miss to the right.
The second half started in bizarre fashion with the referee seemingly pointing to the spot after Pigott was brought down – only to drag the ball back outside the box a few seconds later.
MacGilivary saved well from Max Sanders’ effort to incense the home following even more.
Wimbledon grew ever stronger as the half went on – Anthony Wordsworth went close in the 65th minute when his shot across goal ricocheted off the inside of the post, with nobody in blue there to meet it.
As both sides searched for the opener it was Pompey who again came close five minutes from time.
Ben Close got a sweet connection on his volley after good play down the right, but Nathan Trott was equal to it, getting down to his left well.
The match seemed to be heading towards a 0-0 draw, when the Dons won a free kick on the left hand side with two minutes left of the scheduled four added on. Sanders’ delivery was perfect and Thomas leaped above the Pompey centre-halves and directed his glancing header into the corner of the net, sending the home end into raptures behind the goal.
In truth, the result was harsh on Pompey who had pinned the Dons back for much of the 90, but Hodges won’t care one bit as his side climbed out of the League One drop zone with their fourth win on the spin in all competitions.
PICTURE BY CLAIRE JEFFREY
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
