Jake Reeves and Armani Little again the difference as Dons climb to second in League Two table

BY DAVE HUNT-JACKSON

AFC Wimbledon moved second in the table on Tuesday as they won a third consecutive league match for the first time since April 2021.

A stunning solo effort from Omar Bugiel was enough to see off a spirited Harrogate side in midweek as the Dons put their four-game streak of blowing nine points from winning games behind them.

The difference, again, was Jake Reeves and Armani Little, who were missing for those four games but who both featured in a line-up unchanged from the 3-1 victory over Tranmere at the weekend.

Reeves, in particular, is more like a player-manager than a mere captain as he calmly directed the visitors in a defensive masterclass that restricted their hosts to a couple of long-range shots that were never going to trouble Alex Bass.

Unlike on Saturday, when Wimbledon failed to turn up until Tranmere has bossed the game for 20 minutes and had taken a deserved lead, this time the South Londoners were on song from the first whistle.

It took just six minutes for the visitors to land what proved to be the winning goal. Bugiel picked up the ball in the middle of Harrogate’s half before outpacing three players and spanked a low shot into the far corner of Mark Oxley’s net from 20 yards out.

With Little and Reeves dictating things in front of the back four they were able to keep possession for lengthy spells of both halves with Harrogate unable to create any meaningful chances.

Wimbledon maintained a high press when out of possession that started with their two forwards but was ably supported by the rest of the side.

Although Josh Neufville looked a real handful when he replaced Aaron Sasu, it was a couple of excellent defensive interventions that really caught the eye.

Joe Lewis and Ryan Johnson were outstanding both in and out of possession while full-backs Jack Currie and Issac Ogundere both gave their now customary solid performances, both in defense and attack.

The match wasn’t pretty and, in fairness, the Dons had only limited chances to make the scoreline more comfortable and ease any jitters among a noisy away following.

That said, they had the better of the opportunities in the second half with Ali Al-Hamadi and Harry Pell forcing saves out of Oxley while Little fired wide from range.

The season is almost a quarter old already and the League Two table starts to have real meaning. Tomorrow’s trip to Mansfield will likely provide an even tougher test and may reveal more about the prospects for success this season  – but AFC Wimbledon will go into it in great heart.

If they can keep the three key partnerships intact at the centre of defence, in the heart of midfield and up front, there is reason to believe that they will be at least a match for anybody in this division.

The sky may be the limit for this talented and committed squad.

STAR MAN
Joe Lewis. An absolute rock at the heart of the Dons’ impressive defence.

BEST MOMENT
Omar Bugiel’s stunning goal to open his league account for the campaign.