Four takeaways from AFC Wimbledon’s 1-0 win over Grimsby Town – Young defence the building block as Dons climb up the League Two table
A 60th-minute strike from Ethan Chislett as AFC Wimbledon extended their unbeaten run in League Two to seven games and moved four points off the play-off places.
Here are Edmund Brack’s four takeaways from Plough Lane:
BREAK THE DIFFERENCE AS DONS LOOKED REVITALISED
Following the defeat to Chesterfield in the FA Cup, Johnnie Jackson gave his squad time off, with the players not returning to training until Thursday to prepare for Saturday’s game against Grimsby.
After a close encounter in the opening 30 minutes – in which the opposition arguably displayed the stronger performance and more significant counter-attacking threat – the Dons finally kicked into gear.
They strung together their best passage of play in the first half in the 37th minute. Harry Pell began opposing his dark arts on the game and drove forward to pick out the onrushing Ayoub Assal.
The England U20 trainee sent a tantalising cross towards Josh Davison, but the former Charlton man sent his shot straight at the legs of Max Crocombe.
From then on, the Dons were in full control of the contest. They came out for the second half and capitalised on their dominance – Chislett anticipating Pell’s header on from a Jack Currie throw-in and bundling a shot into the back of the net.
Picture : Keith Gillard
Jackson’s side completely nullified Grimsby’s attacking threat in the second half, limiting them to only seven touches inside the penalty area and zero shots on target.
After a performance which left a lot to be desired against Chesterfield, with their energy levels restored, the Dons dug deep to grind out an impressive win which saw them move four points off the League Two play-off places.
YOUNG BACK FOUR PRODUCE MATURE DISPLAY
The Dons have now kept four clean sheets in a row in the league, with Saturday’s defensive display showing how much maturity the young back four have.
Grimsby’s oldest defender on Saturday was Luke Waterfall, 32, whereas Wimbledon’s most experienced member of the back four was 23-year-old Paul Kalambayi – and he led by example.
The Dulwich-born defender was constantly talking throughout the 90 minutes and helping the young trio alongside him fend off any attacking threat John McAtee possessed.
Between the quartet of youngsters, they won 25 aerial battles, 10 tackles and five interceptions at Plough Lane on Saturday.
Picture : Keith Gillard
It is a massive credit to the young defence that Johnnie Jackosn did not feel compelled to immediately recall Chris Gunter into the starting line-up following his return from the Qatar World Cup – nor has the former Charlton boss broken up the partnership of Kalamabyi and Towler for the experienced Alex Pearce.
The defensive performance was summed up by a perfectly executed slide tackle from Jack Currie in the 86th minute to stop Niall Maher from getting a shot off at goal.
CHISLETT FLOURISHING UNDER JACKSON
This is the longest run Ethan Chislett has had in the AFC Wimbledon first team since joining from Metropolitan Police in 2020 under Glyn Hodges, and he is repaying the faith that Johnnie Jackson has placed upon him.
Starting the last 17 league games – with his previous best run of league starts coming when Mark Robinson first took over following Hodges’ departure – Chislett was described as an ‘integral’ part of the side by Jackson.
Picture : Keith Gillard
The South African 24-year-old moved himself to joint-top of the AFC Wimbledon goalscoring charts for the season in the 60th minute. Gambling on instinct, Chislett met Harry Pell’s header along the face of goal and steered the ball past Max Crocombe.
Chislett has scored a goal on average every 235 minutes this season, a better record than Harry Pell [748], Josh Davison [339] and Ayoub Assal [278].
A SETTLED MIDFIELD TRIO
It has been a sensational piece of business to bring Harry Pell back to AFC Wimbledon.
The leading advocate for deploying the other side of football which is desperately required in League Two, Pell’s punchy attitude is the driving force in helping the Dons through moments in the game when they have to suffer.
Alex Woodyard and Paris Maghoma have found a settled partnership, too, starting the previous five games alongside each other.
Picture : Keith Gillard
The duo both won 100 per cent of their tackles [four each] on Saturday and have formed a base in front of the back four.
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD
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