AFC Wimbledon 2 – 3 Stevenage: Heartbreak for The Dons at the death

In an engrossing end-to-end game, AFC Wimbledon hearts were broken in the last ten minutes as Stevenage won 3-2, continuing a run of six games without a win for The Dons.

Two Wimbledon goals for man of the match Ali Al – Hamadi were cancelled out by Stevenage’s Carl Piergianni and Luke Norris, as well as an own goal from Kasey McAteer, capping off a disappointing day for the dons.

Wimbledon now sit 15th in League Two, whilst Stevenage move into 2nd as their battle for automatic promotion continues.

The beginning of the game was cagey at best, although midtable Wimbledon had the majority of the possession, to the surprise of many around Plough Lane.

In fact, the dons faithful had to wait until the 24th minute for the first proper chance of the game came via Al Hamadi. Stevenage gave the ball away needlessly to the striker, who was one-on-one with the keeper, only for Al Hamadi to fire it straight at Toby Savin.

The home side continued to dominate, and soon the January signing would open the scoring for AFC Wimbledon.

Savin couldn’t reach a magnificent whipped cross from Armani Little, so, with an open net to aim at, Al-Hamadi gratefully converted the chance for his third goal in as many games.

As the halftime whistle went, the dons walked into the sheds deserved leaders.

In reaction, Stevenage manager Steve Evans made three changes in an attempt to change the game, and they would soon bare their fruits.

Nine minutes into the second half, Norris forced a fine stop from Nik Tanzev, and from the resulting corner, Piergianni headed the ball home to make the score 1-1.

Stevenage then took the lead from an unfortunate own goal off the boot of McAteer. Stevenage went from one end to the other, breaking quickly, and an initial shot was parried right into the path of McAteer, who knew nothing about it as he turned it into his own net.

The Dons would not lie down, however, as they Al-Hamadi netted for the second time in the game to level the scoring. Some organised build-up play from AFC Wimbledon meant that McAteer was played into the box, squaring it to the striker, who easily tapped the ball home.

But the scoring had not finished in an enthralling encounter.

Stevenage whipped a freekick in from the left-hand side, which bobbled around the box, falling into the lap of Norris, who smashed the half-volley home, sending his side into the automatic promotion places once more.

The Hertfordshire side closed out the game, resulting in yet another loss for Wimbledon on this barren run of results.

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