Dons Slump Out As Elvis Hits Right Notes

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Wimbledon 2 v Woking 3

Wimbledon slumped out of the FA Trophy on Saturday (15 January) with a disappointing 3-2 home defeat against Conference South neighbours Woking.

With echoes of last season’s Trophy defeat against Conference North side Workington Town, the Dons twice equalised after going behind, only to let in a late, late goal to throw the tie away.

Just three minutes had elapsed when Fraser Franks played a loose ball out of defence that fell straight to Woking left-back Aswad Thomas, who fed Moses Ademola to clip home a clever strike that left Seb Brown floundering.

Franks later atoned for that mistake by producing a last-gasp effort to deny Elvis Hammond a second goal, and Sam Hatton then had to be alert to block the follow-up effort from Lee Sawyer as the Dons struggled to clear their lines.

The Dons were struggling to create chances but equalised eight minutes before half-time when the lively Mark Nwokeji chested down Hatton’s ball into the box and fired home into the back of the net.

But the Dons then again pressed the self-destruct button in first-half injury time. Brown carelessly conceded possession to Sawyer who played in Hammond, and Franks’ challenge left the referee little choice but to point to the spot. Ademola shot home a perfectly executed penalty for his and the visitors’ second of the game.

The Dons came out for the second period seemingly with their manager’s words ringing in their ears as they dominated the initial exchanges. Hatton had forced ex-Dons keeper Andy Little into a clawing save at his far top corner before the Dons pulled level from the penalty spot, Danny Kedwell shooting home after a handball decision.

The Dons continued to press, with Luke Moore, James Mulley, Ricky Wellard and Sammy Moore all having opportunities. But, with a draw looming, the Dons again failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to Hammond, who controlled the aerial ball superbly with his left foot and swivelled round before unleashing a volley into the back of the net.

It was a goal deserving to win any cup tie, but that couldn’t hide the Dons’ disappointment as they failed to progress. They now return to league action with a visit to Fleetwood on Tuesday (18 January) before hosting Southport next Saturday (22 January).  

Attendance: 2,259

Wimbledon: Brown, Hatton, Gwillim (Yussuff 81), Wellard, Harris, Franks, Mulley, L. Moore, Nwokeji, Jolley (Kedwell 58), Hudson (S. Moore 58). Subs not used: Turner, Jackson.

Goalscorers: Nwokeji 38, Kedwell 71.

Booked: L. Moore 34.

Woking: Little, Anane (Inns 50), Thomas, Ricketts, McNerney, Doyle, Ademola, Maledon, Hammond (Faulconbridge 88), Sawyer, Cousins (Gilroy 73). Sub not used: Pegler.

Goalscorers: Ademola 3, 45, Hammond 87.

Booked: Sawyer 79.

Referee: C.J. Knowles (Kislingbury).

Rob Crane

January 16, 2011