Dons boss gives verdict on 1-1 draw against Forest Green and backs Al-Hamadi to rediscover scoring touch

BY CONOR KEENAN

AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson believes “it’s just a matter of time” until star striker Ali Al-Hamadi finds his scoring streak following a 1-1 draw at home to Forest Green Rovers.

Al Hamadi missed a great opportunity moments before Troy Deeney equalised for the visitors, cancelling out James Ball’s first-half header – his first goal for the club.

Al-Hamadi was part of a Wimbledon attack that created a number of excellent chances against Forest Green, only to be kept out by an outstanding performance from Rovers keeper Luke McDaniels.

McDaniels made crucial saves late in the second half to deny Al-Hamadi, Josh Neufville and Ryan Johnson.

“Ali’s doing a great job for the team first and foremost, he’s making good runs and getting in good positions to create chances and someone of his quality won’t keep missing,” said Jackson.

“He’ll be disappointed because he wants to score goals and he’s a number nine. Ali needs to just keep doing what he’s doing, making the right runs and the right positions and we need to keep providing him with opportunities and it will come.”

Despite failing to secure the three points, Jackson saw plenty of positives from his side.

“I’m looking at the performance today and the performance level is there, and it’s been there in every game we’ve played this season,” he said.

“All the boys came in after the game and we all felt we had enough chances to win the game, so there’s disappointment in that, but when we look at where we’re at after the first month of the season, if you told me we’d be here at the end of August – up and around it and through in the cup, we would have taken that.”

“It just wasn’t meant to be today, but we felt we played well enough to win it”.

Jackson and his staff will have a nervous wait for injury news ahead of the EFL Cup clash away at Chelsea on Wednesday.

Captain Jake Reeves was forced off midway through the first half, while fellow midfielder Armani Little was substituted at half time.

“Jake felt something in the first half,” said Jackson. “Hopefully it’s not too bad but he’s experienced enough to know that he wasn’t right to carry on and it was the same with Armani.

“Sometimes you have to save them from themselves. Armani was desperate to get out and play in the second half but what we can’t afford is to lose Reeves and Little for long periods.

“When you look at the reinforcements we have now, when we’re bringing a James Ball and a Harry Pell on, you can be a bit more forceful with the changes we make and not put them at risk second half.”

PICTURES: LUCY DIXON