Johnnie Jackson’s Dons finding a way to win matches – but FA Cup progress not all plain-sailing

AFC Wimbledon’s FA Cup first-round replay 3-1 win over National League South side Weymouth on Tuesday was not as straightforward as the scoreline would suggest.

The Terras are 59 places below the Dons in the football pyramid and bottom of National League South, but they had several opportunities in the first half to take the lead – Tommy Blair blazing over from close range and Xander McBurnie grazing the crossbar after taking aim from distance.

Johnnie Jackson rang the changes after a productive week which had seen the Dons secure an impressive 2-0 win over table-toppers Leyton Orient and a solid 0-0 draw at play-off hopefuls Salford on Saturday.

Nathan Broome, Alex Pearce, Isaac Ogundere, Ayoub Assal and David Fisher all came in – but the Dons were struggling to find their fluid attacking formula that had been on show in recent weeks.

While it was a tricky first half for the Dons, and Weymouth played their role in making the two ties an arduous contest, Jackson’s side found a way to win the game.

Once the League Two quality began to show through in the second half, Wimbledon’s place in the second round was sealed.

Paris Maghoma’s intelligent thinking saw the Brentford loanee catch Weymouth off guard and play a quick free-kick to Ayoub Assal inside the penalty area.

Assal took one touch to push the ball closer to goal and curled a perfectly-placed shot around Zaki Oualah and into the far right-hand corner.

And once Jackson called upon substitute Ethan Chislett, that clinical touch and final pass, which was missing in the first half, saw the Dons begin to dominate.

Weymouth, with nothing to lose, ditched their defensive-minded approach and started leaving gaps in their midfield.

Chislett scored two in quick succession – finishing off a smooth passing move for Wimbledon’s third – to deflate Weymouth’s FA Cup dreams and the inflatable beach balls the travelling fans brought into Plough Lane.

The visitors scored a late consolation, Bradley Ash looping a deep cross over Broome to give the 561 away fans a reward.

That’s now eight unbeaten in all competitions for the Dons. It may not be perfect every game, but they’re finding a way to pick up points and secure significant wins.

STAR MAN
Ethan Chislett. Two well-taken goals and added quality and creative spark.

BEST MOMENT
Wimbledon’s third goal. A stylish passing move that resembled a passage of play that was prime Barcelona, 1970s Brazil or modern-day Manchester City.

PICTURES: KYLE ANDREWS