AFC Wimbledon 2-2 Hartlepool – Hartlepool nicked a point away against the Dons
In front of a crowd of 7495 people, AFC Wimbledon drew 2-2 against struggling Hartlepool United at the Cherry Red Records Stadium this afternoon.
The Dons led 2-0 into the final 30 minutes before two late Hartlepool goals denied them the win.
AFC Wimbledon made two changes from their last league game but stuck to the same 4-3-2-1 formation.
Both teams were battling it out to get in spaces to go forward in the first few minutes of the game to try and score the early goal. However, AFC Wimbledon had more control in the first half.
Hartlepool’s Conor Jennings had the first clear cut chance though as he tried to chip it from 40 yards out but it floated over the bar, Tzanev didn’t seem too concerned.
AFC Wimbledon’s counterattack caused some concerns for Hartlepool which led to AFC Wimbledon going 1-0 up in the 31st Minute.
Lee Brown was on the left flank and crossed a ball into the box which Ali Al Hamdi headed the into the right hand side of the goal.
Hartlepool faded out in the first half, they lost their pressure, momentum and stopped creating chances as they had in the first 20 minutes.
The Dons had more possession and were more aggressive in the final third in the first half.
Hartlepool started strong in the second half as they did in the beginning of the first half, but the Dons were composed at the back.
Ethan Chislett weaved past a couple of players on the right hand side and made a low shot which Nik Stolarczyk pushed away but Dialling Jaiyesimi scored the rebound from the left hand side to double the lead.
The Pool Monkey Hangers reacted well. They had a free kick which was 30 yards out later in the second half, and Dan Kemp used his beautiful left foot to fire the ball into the corner of the goal.
Hartlepool began to create more clear cut chances to equalise, but the Dons were still pushing to score the third goal.
It was a more equal match in the second half as both teams were fighting to get the fourth goal of the match.
Hartlepool kept on pushing the Dons back in their defensive half, with Dan Kemp scoring a header from close range to equalise.
Hartlepool deserved the point as they kept on going and didn’t give up, but the Dons will be disappointed as they were 2-0 up. Overall, it was a fair result.
The Dons continue their nine-game unbeaten run at home but they now sit six points shy of the League Two play-off places.
