AFC Wimbledon 0-0 Bradford City: Dons cannot use red card to their advantage
AFC Wimbledon end their first home League Two game at Plough Lane in 2023 in 0-0 draw. The home side was not able to score after the guests were one player down.
Both teams met each other as equals in the first half. While Bradford registered more ball possession, the Dons played more aggressively and had the better chances. With a red card for a Bradford player Wimbledon did not manage to use this to their advantage.
All three new signings celebrated their debut for the Dons in front of more than 8,300 spectators.
Wimbledon went into the game with two changes in the squad after the goalless draw against Crewe Alexandra last week. Sam Pearson, newly signed from Bristol City, was part of the starting XI. Alex Woodyard returned to the pitch after missing the last game due to a hamstring strain.
It was a turbulent start with both teams pressing high and creating prospective chances. While the first shot on target belonged to Bradford in the third minute, the first corner went to the Dons.
While the game shifted more and more to the centre of the pitch, Wimbledon relied on their fast wingers to create danger but could not quite make it past the Bantam’s defense. Especially Sam Pearson often caused havoc on the left wing in collaboration with Jack Currie.
Bradford mostly provided danger with their crosses out of the half-field position and corners but did not manage to win aerial duels against the Dons’ defense. The exception came from a distance shot from Alex Gilliead that went just over the crossbar.
With the areal shift came also one in intensity as both teams cause tactical fouls in the mdifield area.
The first great chance for Wimbledon was created through a Ethan Chislett free-kick who found the head of Paul Kalambayi. Placed on target but no problem for Bradford keeper Harry Lewis.
The best chances of the first half belonged to the Dons. After a ball win in the own penalty Josh Davison started a strong counter attack over the right wing. He managed to outdribble the first Bradford defender but his cross into the middle did not make it to Sam Pearson who was ready to score. The corner after landed at Jack Curry who missed the goal only by inches (26′).
With a very physical first half it was surprising only Bradford’s Jamie Walker (44′) player recieved a yellow card. While there were chances on both side, the home team showed bigger ambitions in the last third of the pitch.
Bradford started the second half with more precision towards the goal resulting in their best chance until then. After a corner from the left side it was Hus Biler who cleared the ball just before it went into goal.
The odds turned around for the Dons when Jamie Walker was sent off the pitch in the 61st minute. Wimbledon used this to their advantage with a shot from Chislett that went past the right post.
Another big chance for the Dons came out of a free kick from Chislett out of great position which Lewis saved just before it hit the top left corner.
It was Bradford who made the last push of the game with a shot from the left, saved by a great dive from Nik Tzanev.
Next Saturday, AFC Wimbledon go against Newport County, currently 18th place in League Two, in an away game at Rodney Parade.
