AFC Wimbledon’s lengthy inactivity shows in 3-0 loss at Oxford United

BY EDMUND BRACK

Eighteen days after the 2-2 draw away with Wycombe, AFC Wimbledon probably didn’t want to travel to a place where they had only won once in their history – in October 2016.

It was a nervy opening 15 minutes at the Kassam Stadium, with Nik Tzanev pulling off a terrific save to thwart Matty Taylor from the edge of the box.

The Kiwi came to Wimbledon’s rescue once again moments later when he smothered a shot that came from Dan Csoka dawdling on the ball.

The Dons were crying out for Ayoub Assal in the first half. He had tested positive for Covid before the match.

Once Oxford opened the scoring through Mark Sykes in the 27th minute, Karl Robinson’s side’s kept cutting through.

If it wasn’t for Tzanev’s heroics, making four first-half saves, and Ben Heneghan’s clearance off the line, the South Londoners could have been more than 2-0 down at half time.

Oxford played their way around the Wimbledon press, Gavin Whyte crossing for the unmarked Taylor to tap home at the back post.

Wimbledon were unable to get Anthony Hartigan on the ball to dictate the tempo.

Egli Kaja, making his first start since rejoining the club on a free transfer, played a handful of clever crosses but didn’t pose the menacing threat the Dons were crying out for. Selecting Dapo Mebude in Assal’s absence might have been more of a natural replacement.

Oxford capitalised on a rushed pass close to the Wimbledon penalty area, which led to Sam Long smashing home at the back post.

Wimbledon’s recent enforced break killed their momentum, and Oxford exploited that.

STAR MAN
Nik Tzanev. Nothing he could do about any of Oxford’s goals.

BEST MOMENT
The full time whistle.