Will Nightingale, Jack Rudoni and Ryan Longman were on target as AFC Wimbledon beat 10-man Town 3-0 at Plough Lane to record their first ever victory over the Blues. Nightingale headed in the opener on 21, Rudoni nodded home the second four minutes later, then in the 28th minute Josh Harrop was shown a straight red card for a late challenge. Sub Longman added the third in the 86th minute to complete a thoroughly miserable evening for Town.

Town made three changes from Saturday’s 0-0 draw with the MK Dons with Harrop, James Norwood and Alan Judge starting and Teddy Bishop and Andre Dozzell dropping to the bench and Armando Dobra from the 18.

The Blues may again start with a four-man backline with Harrop in central midfield ahead of Flynn Downes and Judge on the left and Gwion Edwards on the right. Norwood and Aaron Drinan were up front.

Myles Kenlock, Kane Vincent-Young, Cole Skuse, Tristan Nydam and Troy Parrott were not involved having played for the U23s this afternoon at Playford Road against Barnsley.

Former Blues youngster Shane McLoughlin was on the bench for the home side.

With a small group of Town fans watching from the roof of the new flats under construction behind one of the goals, the game was preceded by a two-minute silence for HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and the players - again with the exception of Toto Nsiala - taking a knee in support of Black Lives Matter.

In the seventh minute, Ollie Palmer wasn’t far away from getting on the end of a long Nesta Guinness-Walker throw from the left which Tomas Holy gratefully grabbed hold of after Rudoni had seen a shot blocked.

Then at the other end Edwards crossed from the right and Drinan headed against a defender right in front of him.

In the 14th minute Downes broke forward and fed Drinan to his left and the Irishman hit a low shot which Dons keeper Nick Tzanev claimed down to his right.

On 20 Joe Pigott struck a shot from distance which Holy did well to push past the post but form the resultant corner, the home side took the lead. Luke O’Neil sent the ball over from the left and an untracked Nightingale powered a header past Holy. Town boss Paul Cook will have been less than impressed with his side’s defending.

Two minutes later, Tzanev made a mess of a clearance out wide on the left but Edwards’s effort at the empty goal was deflected wide by a sliding defender.

Palmer shot wide on 24 with Rudoni not far away from adding a final touch at the far post but the Dons didn’t have to wait too much longer for their second goal.
"A minute later, O’Neill crossed from the right and Rudoni nodded past Holy from the edge of the six-yard box.

Town’s dreadful start got even worse in the 28th minute when Harrop was shown a straight red card. The midfielder went in late Guinness-Walker, who flew into the air screaming. After taking his time and allowing the defender to be treated, referee Antony Coggins gave Harrop his marching orders, perhaps harshly and more down to the reaction than the tackle itself.

The Blues, who had gone 287 minutes without scoring a goal with 11 men, had given themselves a mountain to climb. They continued with two men up front and a narrow three-man midfield.

In the 34th minute Ayoub Assal burst past Woolfenden on the Wimbledon left before hitting a shot which skipper Luke Chambers blocked.

Four minutes later, Town created a chance to pull a goal back. Edwards picked up another poor Tzanev clearance, this time more centrally. The Welshman took the ball wide before crossing low but just in front of Norwood.

Wimbledon were close to making it 3-0 in the 41st minute when Assal hit a shot on the turn straight at Holy.

That was the last chance of what had been a nightmare half for the Blues in a game manager Cook said would define the season.

Even before the goals, Town had struggled with Wimbledon’s two big men up front, Palmer and Pigott, even before the goals with O’Neil’s crosses also having provided a threat every time they had been allowed to come in.

Both goals will frustrate Cook with the Blues’ defending having been the one positive about the team in his opening matches. As has become familiar, Town presented little threat at the other end even with their full complement.

Even with 11 men Town would appear big outsiders to turn the game around, with 10 it looks an impossibility.

Soon after the restart, Edwards got round the back of his full-back on the right and sent over a low cross which Tzanev claimed at a stretch.

Wimbledon had two goes at making it 3-0 in the 50th minute. Assal was played in in space on the right of the box but Holy blocked his effort. The loose ball eventually looped up to him but Nsiala headed his goal-bound effort off the line. In the 59th minute Judge was booked for a foul on Assal.

Edwards had caused Wimbledon a few problems with his pace down the right throughout the half and just before the hour, his low ball into the box was played back to Downes by Drinan but the midfielder was tackled by Nightingale as he took it into the box.

The Blues made a triple change in the 63rd minute with Dozzell, Freddie Sears and Keanan Bennetts taking over from Judge, Drinan and Edwards. For Wimbledon, Jaakko Oksanen came on for Assal and ex-Blue McLoughlin for Rudoni.

In the 69th minute Town swapped Stephen Ward, who had picked up a knock a few moments earlier, for Bishop, who went to the wide right role in what was now a 3-4-2 system with Bennetts on the left. Wimbledon withdrew Palmer for Ryan Longman.

Three minutes later, Pigott curled a shot just wide after the Blues had run into trouble in the centre circle.

On 74 Nightingale almost scored his second of the game, his powerful header from a corner cannoning against one of his own players when it looked on its way into the net.

Town should have pulled a goal back in the 78th minute when Woolfenden crossed deep for Norwood but the striker headed over, his finish in contrast to the Dons’ two goals in the first half. Two minutes later, Norwood was replaced by Kayden Jackson.

In the 86th minute Wimbledon made it 3-0. McLoughlin played it to Longman on the edge of the area and the sub struck a low shot past Holy to complete the Blues’ miserable first visit to the Dons’ new home.

A Town comeback was always hugely unlikely and despite one or two promising moments going forward, largely from Edwards, the Don’s victory never looked in any doubt. The Blues’ best chance was Norwood’s late header over.

The home side had a couple of chances to make it 3-0 prior to their late goal but overall the Dons had been happy enough with their 2-0 lead and saw no reason to overextend themselves with the damage done in the first half.

The Blues have now failed to score in seven of their last 14 and in any of their last three matches.

Manager Cook said beforehand that the match would define Town’s season and a disappointing 3-0 away defeat to opposition struggling in the lower reaches of the division is an accurate description of the Blues’ season. Indeed, it sums up their two campaigns in League One.

Town, who are at Charlton on Saturday, drop to ninth, now five points off the top six still showing no signs of getting anywhere near the form which will see them into the play-offs with only six games left to play.

AFC Wimbledon: Tzanev, O'Neill, Woodyard (c), Nightingale, Palmer (Longman 70), Rudoni (McLoughlin 63), Assal (Oksanen 63), Guinness-Walker, Dobson, Kalambayi, Pigott. Unused: Cox, Csoka, Alexander, Osew.

Town: Holy, Woolfenden, Nsiala, Chambers (c), Edwards (Bennetts 63), Downes, Judge (Dozzell 63), Ward (Bishop 70), Harrop, Norwood (Jackson 80), Drinan (Sears 63). Unused: Cornell, McGuinness, Jackson. Referee: Antony Coggins (Bicester).

Photo: Reuters

Norwichbeater added 21:24 - Apr 13 Lathers I agree with all of your posts. You are spot on.
0

Town4me added 21:24 - Apr 13 Not even worth talking about the result and performance. But the hell was he thinking with that tackle!? 🤷‍♂️
1

Nobbysnuts added 21:25 - Apr 13 All cook is going on about is the takeover to stop attention being drawn to is terrible record here so far. I'm sorry but it's worse than lamberts and that's fact. We would not be in the mess if Mccarthy was still here and that's another fact and you all know it.
8

Lathers added 21:25 - Apr 13 Cat - always rate your comments mate but you going soft tonight? Shambo to blame for results 6 weeks ago, but now the players are to blame for results?! Cook's weird team selections, switches, mass substitutions, lack of ability to galvanise his squad... maybe that's the reason we have been soooo bad over the past 10 games? Remember he took over on the back of 3 wins ffs!

7

DerryfromBury added 21:25 - Apr 13 For Saturday why not try Flyn Downes Cpt all the rest from the under 18's and 21's. What we got to loose.
5

philpott2 added 21:25 - Apr 13 Unbelievable...... I'm getting so p****d off watching these so called professionals that prove over and again that they haven't even the basic football skills. Both goals have come from a cross, one of them a corner and yet not one of the useless twonks even bother jumping! A disgrace.... Just as well we fans can't attend (not sure any of us would bother, to be honest), but the grief that they deserve to be hearing for their apathetic efforts is criminal. They are literally stealing from the club getting paid for that half-baked effort.

2

Gilesy added 21:28 - Apr 13 Surely the takeover and the general consensus that this squad is appalling is going to negate any new manager bounce? How can you motivate players who know they're out of a job? Where's the incentive? Just write this season off....again.
2

ImAbeliever added 21:30 - Apr 13 Martin587...100% agree. Cook's job is being made easy by the individuals, not players!
1

whymarkwhynot added 21:30 - Apr 13 #standwithtoto
0

Michael101 added 21:30 - Apr 13 If sears and Jackson were playing for kings lynn they might score the or goal of three.
0

Gcon added 21:34 - Apr 13 If I was a retired Arizona fireman I'd be in a state of panic right now.
6

Umros added 21:35 - Apr 13 Well, I throughly enjoyed watching my sons under 13 team win 5-2 tonight......far more entertaining....and that's what I'll be doing in future. Done with this rubbish! Pre Madonna's! Shame to the shirt.
0

istanblue added 21:39 - Apr 13 The season after we got relegated from the Premier League, AFC Wimbledon were playing in the Combined Counties League Premier Division. Fast forward 18 seasons and we're losing to them 3-0 as equals in the league. If that doesn't tell you about the magnitude of the decline of this once great club then nothing will.
2

Taricco_Fan added 21:39 - Apr 13 Lowest point as a Town fan. "They're not fit to pull on the shirt" is an oft-used cliche but it's true in this case. It's very curious that the players aren't grasping the opportunity to impress both a new manager and new owners. Back Cook 100%. Clear-out required.
0

Bluearmy_81 added 21:40 - Apr 13 Thank God we've been taken over and the owners have money to spend. Imagine if that wasn't the case and 'he' was still here?!! As bad as it is, what we're witnessing here is the mess he's left behind. There's still cause for optimism and positivity for the future.
5

blue86 added 21:40 - Apr 13 Lathers, Cook hasnt exactly pulled up trees so far, and you would have thought he would of made more of an impact, but...... he does need more time, and players In who he can work with who he wants. Let's face it alot of players have survived several managers here so far and guess what? Were still crap!!! Give Paul Cook more time as a vast majority of these players arent up to it. Season is over, big changes in the summer. And that will take time to bed in.

-2

TractorRob added 21:40 - Apr 13 Hands up if you can remember a worse league result.
1

Suffolkboy added 21:41 - Apr 13 IF one can believe some of the reports and comments both here and on TWTD , then just maybe PC has turned our team OFF rather than on ! If performances have been this bad , and we know PC refuses to go public on his views but generalises and could be said to take cover currently behind ‘supporter ‘ opinion , then it is quite possible this is already the end of our season and we supporters can only expect drab and even worse performances . Is PC waiting to bring in Managerial support ? Is he waiting to get budgets set for a near total revamp , or is he also pretty uncertain even yet over his future and floundering , hoping against hope he will find a combination out of the blue which shows promise ? Determination is lacking , personal discipline and character are under scrutiny and wanting ! Come on PC time to show true colours, stop hiding ,speak up and out AND despite everything WHAT persuades you to ignore your side but fist pump opposition – that won't win you any loyalty or enthusiasm within ( & just maybe MO'L will be asking you questions too - I WOULD !) Lots and lots to be righted , and MrC we all look to you ; give us some evidence you do have answers ! COYB

3

algarvefan added 21:44 - Apr 13 Please can we just end the season now I can't take another 7 games of this it's unbearable. I feel sorry for those who do (and there are a few) try hard for the club. I wish I shared the rosy view for next season, we have no indication of what the investment might be, but if money were no object I would only pick a small handful of players to stay. I was shocked at the triple substitution too, we were at least on top when it was made, I feel so sorry for Cook, what a shambles the team where tonight. Feeling pretty depressed with these performances.

-1

aloanagain added 21:44 - Apr 13 The new owners have a huge dilemma to deal with here. Are they going to trust Paul Cook and give him the money to bring in the right players to do the job or are they going to change the whole planning process and bring in a more experienced manager with a proven record in the championship/ premier league.
5

BecclesBlue500 added 21:44 - Apr 13 “Cook: AFC Wimbledon Match Will Define Our Season Monday, 12th Apr 2021 13:37” Correct Paul, correct. Can't beat a relegation-fighting 3rd division team who were playing in the Combined Counties League (2002—2004) while we were playing in the Premier League/UEFA cup. To the posters on here who frequently use phrases like “where we should be” and “where we belong”; the same meritocratic principles that can see a non-league side from a few years ago play against the Sunderlands, Pompey, ITFC's etc in a single generation of fans, are the ones which see us slide to Div 3 - it's what makes the game beautiful/devastating (delete as appropriate). Be under no illusion that AFC Wimbledon are where they should be, as are we.

2

warkyisgod added 21:48 - Apr 13 Well another quality performance, I think the players know they won't be here next season and just Can't be bothered anymore, pride has gone. I do believe Cook is the right man I know we haven't had a new manager bounce but to be honest I don't think any manager could get anything out of this lot. Roll on the summer when hopefully all of these excuses for footballers will have gone and Cook can get in the players he wants.

0

Saxonblue74 added 21:48 - Apr 13 There isn't a manager on the planet who could get a decent run out of this squad. We're mid table league 1 because we have mid table league 1 (or worse) players. Yes, we had a decent start to the campaign, but can anyone name a decent performance during that period?
0

Esseeja added 21:50 - Apr 13 There is no blame on cook because he's playing players that are out of contract to try and save their careers here. Almost everywhere Cook has gone, he has had success, if not for the points deduction Wigan would have stayed up under him and he got that Wigan team an 8-0 win at one point, doesn't matter if it was a poor Hull team or not. 8-0 is a great win for any team. As for this team, try and entertain scoring 3 in a game to them and they'd rather catch a disease instead. I feel for Cook that he's getting questioned by some of our supporters, we've all seen the shambles that this team has just produced, it's like they want Cook to be sacked.

-1

slimjim added 21:57 - Apr 13 Interesting that it's now the players fault rather than Mr Lambert. It's too early to judge PC but 10 points from 10 games compared to 50 points from 30 games with Mr Lambert with essentially the same squad is not a great comparison and I honestly expected better. Let's hope PC does have the ability to turn this around next season...
6

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls