Wimbledon boss gives his verdict on Bristol City loanee’s debut

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson thought Bristol City loanee Ryley Towler “did well” during his debut against Northampton – and could not fault the defender for scoring an own goal.

Jackson handed Towler his first start for the South Londoners alongside the experienced Alex Pearce in the 2-0 home defeat on Tuesday evening to Northampton Town.

The defender scored Northampton’s second of the match when he diverted Sam Hoskins’ flick-on into his own net in the 69th minute.

The 20-year-old former Grimsby Town loanee was Wimbledon’s only signing on deadline day.

“I thought Ryley did well,” said Jackson. “He slotted in, was decent on the ball and competed defensively and in the air. With the own goal, there is nothing he could do about that – it was just one of those freak goals. Two strange goals cost us.”

Jackson, who has favoured a system with a back three during his time at Plough Lane, deployed a 4-3-3 for the first time on Tuesday night, as the Dons failed to find a way to secure their first win in League Two since the 2-0 away victory at Crawley Town.

“The system was working well, and we were causing them a lot of problems with our wide players and full-backs overlapping,” said Jackson.

“We had a number of situations that we got from going box to box really well, but we just didn’t finish off that last little bit.

“We have got to put the finishing chances on it, especially when you’re on top and in the ascendency, as you know the opposition are going to have a period.”