AFC Wimbledon fans have little to cheer about as Blackpool run out comfortable winners
BY DAVE HUNT-JACKSON
AFC Wimbledon slipped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat on the Fylde coast as two defensive lapses allowed Armand Gnanduillet – a familiar tormentor of them – to grab all three points for Blackpool.
Dons manager Glyn Hodges made three changes to his side, welcoming back Ryan Delaney and Max Sanders from injury along with Brentford loanee Marcus Forrs, who was not given permission to play against Doncaster in the FA Cup.
The first half was shaded by the home side with their most notable chances falling to Sullay Kaikai, who rattled the Dons crossbar with a vicious shot following good work from Gnanduillett. Nathan Delfouneso and Matty Virtue should have done better when shooting straight at Nathan Trott.
Despite a lively start to the second half by the visitors it was that man Gnanduillet that benefited from the Dons’ inability to get the ball clear and produced an excellent finish to curl the ball around Trott and into the corner of the net.
The big frontman doubled the Seasiders’ lead with a tap in after Liam Feeney capitalised on a Tyrell Thomas error.
Although Forrs did force a decent save out of Jak Alnwick very late on, Wimbledon never looked like getting back in the game at even 1-0 down, never mind 2-0.
Hodges was disappointed with the result and particularly as his charges had “gifted” Blackpool their goals but was optimistic that the Dons could get back to winning ways as they return North on Tuesday for the cup replay at Doncaster. There was little for the 301 travelling supporters to cheer.
PICTURES BY SEAN GOSLING
Comfortable win for Blackpool, very negative from the Dons despite Glynns’ positive summary. Still enough in the team to stay up but a few new faces needed in January.
very poor its going to be a long hard winter with few positives