It was all going to plan for AFC Wimbledon….and then the wheels came off
BY LAURENCE LOWNE
Until the 80th minute it was all going to plan with Wimbledon in a richley-deserved 1-0 lead thanks to a Jack Rudoni goal in the 26th minute. But the wheels fell off the performance when three goals were conceded in 11 undisciplined minutes as heads dropped and shape disappeared in the spring sunshine.
The travelling 648 Wimbledon fans saw their team dominate from the off and with a little more composure Ayoub Assal maybe should have made the breakthrough before a route one pass found Rudoni in the penalty box and free of defenders as he slotted the ball under Cheltenham goalkeeper Owen Evans.
Here’s the challenge though, Wimbledon continued to play good football but failed to capitalise on their performance and add to the single goal secured.
It was not until a triple substitution in the 62nd minute that Cheltenham seemed likely to get back into the game.
The equaliser came in the 81st from Callum Wright, and was followed two minutes later by a George Lloyd goal as 19-year-old Aaron Ramsey, on loan from Aston Villa, pulled the strings to make the home side tick.
To make matters worse long term nemesis Alfie May added his customary goal and Cheltenham’s third in the second minute of added time, as Wimbledon slipped to their fourth defeat in a row – slipping into the relegation zone after Gillingham took a point off Sheffield Wednesday at home.
Wimbledon need to score more goals, and a very late introduction of new signing striker Derick Osei-Yaw was unlikely to change proceedings. Players usually need 20 minutes to get into the flow of a match.
The defence simply cannot keep a clean sheet, and whether it has been Paul Osew, Lee Brown or this time Nesta Guinness-Walker in the left-back berth, opposition teams know that remains a weak spot for the Dons and eventually exploit it.
Playing a single striker, and then failing to give him a quality cross or neat pass, means Sam Cosgrove had to do most of his own work, and he did not stop trying. He needs more support.
More injuries, this time to Ben Heneghan and possibly Nik Tzanev, adds to the challenge as as head coach Mark Robinson juggles his squad to find a solution.
PICTURES: LUCY DIXON
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