AFC Wimbledon Dons Come from Behind Again to Record Third Straight Win

From Tuesday, January 24, 2012

AFC Wimbledon 2-1 Macclesfield Town

AFC Wimbledon recorded their third successive League Two victory on Tuesday night, coming from behind to propel themselves to a massive 14 points clear of the relegation zone.

After new Macclesfield signing Dwayne Mattis scored a sloppy opener for the away side, youngster Billy Knott produced a dazzling display and scored a peach of an equaliser before Sammy Moore’s winner three minutes from time.

The Dons would have kicked themselves had they not ended up winning the match, such was their dominance. Chance after chance flew inches wide of Jose Veiga’s post, with Luke Moore and top scorer Jack Midson heading the best two chances wide.

At the other end, home keeper Seb Brown had precious little to do, the lively George Donnelly having Macclesfield’s best effort, but firing just over the top after a maze-like run that eluded Dons’ Mat Mitchell-King.

Wimbledon lost George Moncur, on loan from West Ham, to a bronchial injury before halftime, and the disruption, coupled with the interval, seemed to knock what had been an impressive passing display.

Macclesfield tested Brown at full stretch on more than one occasion before taking the lead after a headed through ball was woefully allowed to bounce by the gaping Dons defence.

Mattis took full advantage, slotting easily under the despairing Brown and leaving the goal keeper’s namesake, Dons boss Terry Brown, fuming at his centre-backs.

Wimbledon didn’t have to wait long for a response though. Out of nothing, and against the run of play, 19-year-old Knott picked up the ball on the left flank and ran at the Town defence before unleashing a fabulous left-footed strike into the top corner.

The Wimbledon tails were up, and a buoyant Knott almost turned provider, his cross just eluding the head of Midson.

Time was running out, but the Dons piled forward in numbers and, after an exchange on the edge of the area involving at least five players, Midson squeezed the ball through to release Sammy Moore, who deftly chipped the ball past the despairing dive of Veiga and into the net.

With another three points secured, Brown is now relishing the upcoming test against his former club Aldershot, who come to The Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday.

With the Dons failing to keep a clean sheet since a trip to Shrewsbury in October, Brown also said that he would like to strengthen defensively during the January transfer window.

AFC Wimbledon: Brown, Gwillim, Hatton, Mitchell-King, McNaughton, S Moore, Knott, Moncur (Yusseff), L Moore (Kiernan), Midson, Harrison (Jolley)

My man of the match: Billy Knott