The lowdown on Carlisle United 1 AFC Wimbledon 2 – The Dons are below par again but do just enough to grab a vital three points

BY DAVE HUNT-JACKSON

AFC Wimbledon moved back into the top three in League Two after a 2-1 win at Carlisle United on Saturday.

Here is the lowdown on the match:

THE LINE-UPS

AFC Wimbledon: Goodman, Furlong (Ogundere-65 ), Reeves, Johnson, Maycock (Hippolyte-66), Bugiel, Neufville, Smith, Stevens (Kelly-79), Lewis, Hutchinson. Subs not used: Ward, Harbottle, Sasu, Browne.

Carlisle United: Breeze, Davies, Harper, Thomas, Lavelle, Guy (Whelan-66), Jones (Embleton-86), Vela (Wearne 66), Denis (Kelly-86), Bevan (Scott-54), Harris. Subs not used: Lewis, Hayden

SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME

Two excellent goals from Callum Maycock and Alistair Smith at the start of each half were enough to see off Carlisle, who pulled one back in the 67th minute through Matthew Dennis.

A fine turn and shot from Maycock after Smith fed him was the only highlight of a drab first half between two sides lacking any cohesion or flair. Omar Bugiel missed a sitter but neither side created much of meaning otherwise.

When Smith volleyed in Josh Neufville’s 49th minute cross, the game should have been over, but the visitors sat back and allowed the League Two bottom side to dominate possession.

Instead of coasting, they ended the match hanging on somewhat as they nervously wasted time against a Carlisle side unable to take advantage.

Carlisle looked every bit like a side almost certainly destined for National League football next year whilst AFC Wimbledon looked anything but a side heading for League One.

TACTICAL APPROACH

With James Tilley injured and despite being up against the bottom side, Johnnie Jackson declined to select two flying wingers, preferring James Furlong to Aaron Sasu as Tilley’s replacement.

Elsewhere Maycock came in for Marcus Browne, with the recovered Ryan Johnson replacing Issac Ogundere as Sam Hutchinson retained his place in defence. Inexplicably, with Joe Pigott also injured, there was no place even on the bench for Osman Foyo.

The early goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of both teams and Wimbledon seemed unwilling to commit men forward and Carlisle seemed unwilling.

When the Dons doubled their lead at the start of the second half they were content to soak up the little pressure that their hosts could muster.

STAR MAN

Joe Lewis. Another rock solid display from the central defender who never looked troubled by the Cumbrian side.

BEST MOMENT

Callum Maycock’s deft finish after he swivelled in the box. It was only the second minute but was the highlight of a largely forgettable match.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

For a side who now sit third in the table, the lack of ambition and inability to kill off a game against woeful opponents was sad to see. The lack of confidence for a side intent of promotion does not bode well with tougher games ahead.

A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB

Two wins in seven is far from promotion form and yet the Dons are now third and as close to the top of the table as they have been in a long time. 

With Walsall in free-fall and Bradford now losing two in a row it’s hard to know whether to look up at the prospect of automatic promotion or even the title, or down at the likes of Colchester who have won all five games since grabbing a late equaliser to deny Wimbledon what look like two very important points.

WHAT THE BOSS SAID:

“We showed two sides to us today.

“We played some really good football and dug in when we had to.

“We brought Callum back into the team for his legs and energy.

“For him to get into the box and goal scoring positions. He did that well, with a really good finish. It was a great start to the game for us, he also put in some great work out of possession. He’s an important player for us and we missed him while he was injured.”

PICTURE: ALAMY