It was another warm afternoon with bright sunshine as the men in Amber took on AFC Wimbledon. Whether the game should have gone ahead is down to the finer rules of the EFL. It would appear that it is not sufficient to have 3 men on international duty, they have to be regular first team players, not just squad members and or have a great grandparent born over 150 years ago. The EFL do move in mysterious ways. Neither team was best pleased but as usual it was time to get on with it. Wimbledon were also hit with international call ups plus like the U’s, had players on the injured list. The biggest crowd of the season 7819 including 1031 from South London looked forward to the game in great conditions.
United won the toss and played towards the South Stand in the first half. Gassan Ahadme set up young Glenn McConnell in the opening minutes with the youngster forcing Dons keeper Bursik to save low down. Ben Knight was involved in several moves early on and after a run set up Isaac Heath whose shot was too close to Bursik. In their first foray in the United half, former U Jayden Stockley fired a shot from outside the box, but home keeper Eastwood saw the shot go off target. Owen Moxon then broke for the U’s, passed to Ben Knight who shot narrowly wide. Moxon then fired wide after Zak Bradshaw had crossed to him.
United had a let off on 25 when Richards crossed for the unmarked Stockley to head at goal from 10 yards. His header though was too close to Eastwood who saved his effort. United were forcing corners and playing close passing football but too often were mis-passing the ball which usually ended up going out of play. Then on 39 minutes the U’s were undone, Yiadom crossed the ball to Stockley who appeared well marked but he chested the ball down and fired into the corner of the net from 15 yards for 0-1. It was a well taken goal but as the visitors main danger man should have been much closely marked. United had the most of the ball up until now, but the visitors found their game and started making good tackles and improving their passing. On 37, the visitors Richards went down injured and was replaced by Nelson.
United were in a poor period of play now, the crisp passing of earlier had gone and the taller visiting side won virtually every header. United were simply short of ideas and doubtless those on international duty plus those on the sick list were being missed so the U’s had lost their rhythm. Half time came at 0-1. It would be an interesting half time team talk.
Before the second half started, United replaced McConnell with Shayne Lavery. Lavery almost scored with a cross cum shot that keeper Bursik stretched to keep the ball out. Ben Knight crossed for Ahadme to head at goal but Bursik was down to save. Knight then had a rebound shot charged down. Pelly Mapanzu crossed for skipper Dom Ball but he fired well over. Wimbledons Yiadom was booked for a foul on Heath. Mapanzu was then booked for a foul on Sasu. Referee Toner had hardly been noticed but he did make a poor decision on 62 when showing Kell Watts a yellow card for simulation. This baffled me as Watts had sidestepped the defender was on the edge of the box and was about to shoot. Not sure the referee got that right as Watts had nothing to gain by going down.
Wimbledon then had a couple of chances on the break with Nelson having a shot blocked with Sasu then heading just over. Maycock then had a great chance after a 1-2, but Jake Eastwood was down in a flash to save. On 70, United should really have scored as the ball was crossed to the far post, Zak Bradshaw headed at goal with several players going for the ball together which deflected onto the crossbar and was caught by Bursik. Bursik appeared to go down injured but got to his feet after treatment from the physio. I don’t think there was any injury. United were now well on top and playing much better with ground passes rather than the hopeful high ball so easily cleared by the tall defenders. Ahadme shot wide and Knight had a further effort blocked after good work by Bradshaw. United won another corner but referee Toner was fooled into awarding a free kick for the visitors Smith who fell dramatically but had, not been fouled.
Indeed the referee had brought howls of protest on himself allowing combative centre forward Stockley the freedom to exert his strength but not showing the same allowance for Ahadme. On 75 the visitors changed Maycock with McNeilly. Kell Watts shot over before a welcome return for George Hoddle and Louis Appere who replaced Moxon and Ahadme. With Mapanzu and Bradshaw calling the tune, United were well on top but time was running out. Bradshaw set up Appere who was inches away, the ball only needing a toe poke over the line but alas. Mapanzu was everywhere from defence then playing on both wings. A United free kick from the edge of the box was wasted with an effort flying over the bar. Knight crossed from a corner but Cathal Heffernan’s header was booted clear. There were 5 minutes of stoppage time indicated as the U’s fought for the equaliser.
Ben Knight crossed for Watts to head just wide. Then just as all seemed lost, following some close passing play on the edge of the box, the ball was played out to Mapanzu who crossed to the far post for Bradshaw to fire goalwards. Initially I thought the loud shouts were for a penalty, but it looked like Bradshaw’s shot hit Birsik and deflected in for 1-1 on 93. United looked to win the game with Lavery being fouled earning Seddon of Wimbledon a yellow card. The ball was cleared and the referee blew for full time at 1-1.
Yes it was a relief to score a late equaliser but United had enough chances to have won. Doubtless the loss of manpower was keenly felt. Although to be fair, Wimbledon were under strength too and could only name 5 (instead of 7), subs. The U’s looked rather lightweight again and the bigger players from the Dons won virtually every header. Playing on the ground created United best moments.
Star Man – Pelly Mapanzu; several players were not at their best today with passing along way from what we have seen recently. However Pelly Mapanzu played in several positions today and seemed to be everywhere. His form is really on the up.
Ref Watch – Ben Toner – 5. I thought long and hard about the referees performance today. He had a quiet first half but as the game heated up in the second, he seemed to lose his composure and missed a number of fouls. The booking of Kell Watts remains a mystery as did his consistency in a poor second half for him.
Richard Stephen