AFC Wimbledon 1-0 Grimsby Town – The Dons Unbeaten Run Continues

AFC Wimbledon secured a scrappy 1-0 win over Grimsby Town in today’s early kick-off at Plough Lane. 

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The victory for The Dons was a deserved one as they shut up shop successfully after taking the lead midway through the second half.

The result means Wimbledon move to 11th in the League Two table, only two points off Swindon Town and the play-off places.

As for Grimsby, the barren run of games without a win in League Two now stretches to seven.

The Mariners stay 16th in the table. 

Despite this, they remain 10 points clear of the relegation places.

Grimsby started the game well as they threatened with the first chances of the game

They had a goal ruled out for offside in the 14th minute. John McAteer rounded the keeper well and put the ball in the net, but the flag was up.

Wimbledon’s best chance of the first half came when Josh Davison fired straight at Max Crocombe from point-blank range 

The Dons worked the ball well down the left-hand side through Ayoub Assal.

The winger crossed well to find Davison with space in the box, the striker couldn’t convert the opportunity.

There was a lengthy stoppage in play shortly before halftime as Michee Efete was taken off on a stretcher.

The Grimsby defender landed heavily after challenging for a header.

Breakthrough in the second half for Wimbledon

The second half started a lot like how the first half ended.

Both sides created half chances, but neither were able to make anything of them in the first fifteen minutes of the half.

That was until the 60th minute when a long throw from the left-hand side for Wimbledon found Ethan Chislett in the box.

The midfielder poked the ball past Crocombe in goal and put The Dons 1-0 up.

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Wimbledon continued to knock on the Grimsby door in the minutes after the goal, but The Dons were unable to double their lead.

Harry Pell received a yellow card in the 64th minute after going down following an altercation with Crocombe.

The referee deemed Pell’s response to be an overreaction and booked the Wimbledon man.

There were a few decisions from the referee that got those in attendance riled up 

Especially when he demanded a Wimbledon player go off the pitch to get treatment for a cut to his knee as they defended a corner. 

The Dons looked comfortable defending their one-goal lead in the closing stages of the game.

Grimsby searched hard for an equaliser but didn’t fashion any chances that threatened Niz Tzanev in the Wimbledon goal.

They did have a chance from a late corner which Crocombe came up for.

The keeper won the header from the well-delivered corner but was challenged well as he headed it wide.

Despite the slightly nervy finish, The Dons deservedly held on for the win.

Wimbledon’s next game is away at Swindon Town next Saturday in the league.

While for Grimsby, they host Tranmere at home as their search for a league win and end to their poor run of results continues.

AFC Wimbledon vs Chesterfield: The Dons are dismantled as their unbeaten run comes to an end