Dons blog: Accrington's a long way

The answer ultimately was "no", although it wasn't for the want of trying.

Even after just three minutes, you could tell it possibly wasn't going to be the Dons day when the referee awarded Accrington a free kick for the heinous crime of heading a ball onto one's own hand, and on a bouncy, bobbly, awkward pitch, Dons keeper Seb Brown could do no more than present a rebound opportunity for the home captain, Luke Joyce, who prodded it home.

But the Dons gradually fought back, and Luke Moore converted from about a foot out, on the half hour, after Rashid Yussuff & Jack Midson combined superbly to fashion the chance - almost as much of a rude awakening for Accrington as the pitch sprinklers which momentarily came on before the half was out.

In contrast to the reverse fixture in December, when the Dons didn't muster an attempt on target until second half stoppage time, the equaliser was one of a multitude of chances created by the visitors.

Moore could have had a hat-trick, Midson, Yussuff, defender Pim Balkestein & sub Byron Harrison squandered great chances, and it was Christian Jolley, who saw a superb curling effort come back off the post, who came closer than anyone to winning it and sending the 300+ travelling fans (& the WDON commentary team) into raptures on a cool, breezy Lancashire afternoon.

But, frustratingly, Accrington, who had also created good chances, took advantage as the Dons defence allowed sub Will Hatfield an unchallenged run and scoring shot, ten minutes from time, to clinch the three points and leave Dons boss Terry Brown absolutely livid.

So victory to the home side then, in the battle of two clubs who refused to die - the fact that Accrington and Wimbledon are even meeting in the Football League reflects massive credit on those who fought to preserve & resurrect their respective identities - but at the very least, honours even would have been a much fairer outcome.

Although, as we all know, football isn't fair. Which, somewhat perversely, goes a considerable way to explaining why we still love it, even after a 20-hour day, a 500-mile round trip, & seeing one's team mugged 2-1. Come on you Dons!!

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