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AFC Wimbledon 2-3 Salford: The Wombles woes rise again in a dramatic late loss

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 14: AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson looks on during the Sky Bet League Two between Northampton Town and AFC Wimbledon at Sixfields on February 14, 2023 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

AFC Wimbledon threw away victory in emphatic fashion against Salford City losing 2-3 in the dying seconds at Plough Lane.

The Dons were leading 2-1 going into added time thanks to goals from Kasey McAteer and Ali Al-Hamadi but a last-ditch brace from Callum Hendry condemned Johnnie Jackson’s side to another soul crushing defeat.

Despite winning just one of their last 16 league fixtures, the Dons started brightly and took the lead through McAteer who struck a right footed volley from outside of the box neatly past Alex Cairns into the bottom left corner just seven minutes in.

Salford nearly equalized instantly after a tantalizing ball into the box from Jason Touray was missed by two Salford players; only a touch would have been needed to send it rippling into the back of the net.

Matthew Lund then spurned another opportunity just minutes later, scuffing a smart cutback from Luke Bolton miserably past Nathan Broome’s far post.

AFC Wimbledon soaked up the pressure from The Ammies and were able to create chances of their own.

January signing Al-Hamadi pounced on a mix up at the back to break through on goal, sliding past Adrian Mariappa with ease, chopping the ball away from the oncoming Cairns but sending his shot straight at the grateful keeper.

39th min Although the Wombles were putting on a magnificent team display, the chances continued to fall for Salford. Ethan Galbraith was the next to waste a good chance, blasting a horrific attempt from close range into the gloomy stratosphere.

The hosts defended doggedly to keep their 1-0 lead going into half-time; the ball pinballing around the box with Salford players viciously striking goalward and Dons defenders heroically throwing themselves in its path, desperate to not throw away another lead.

Despite their brilliant resistance before half time, Salford pulled level in the 54th minute after a terrible mix up at the back from Will Nightingale and Luke Jenkins allowed Conor McAleny to nip in and lift his effort over a helpless Broome to make it 1-1.

The hosts fighting spirit didn’t wain and Diallang Jaiyesimi epitomized Wimbledon’s defiance as they took the lead for the second time. The winger refused to give up on a loose ball out on the left wing and delivered a delicious ball into the danger zone for Ali Al Hamadi to stroke home, reinstalling the dominance of the Dons.

McAteer could have put AFC Wimbledon out of sight after a clever backheel from Jaiyesimi played him into space with the goal at his mercy, but his heavy curling effort smashed into the back row of block 115, ensuring their lead stayed fragile.

Just as it seemed Jackson’s side had escaped their recent tendency of throwing away three points from winning positions, substitute Louie Barry broke through and was cleaned out by Broome to give Salford a penalty in stoppage time – was the Dons resistance really about to crumble like this?

‘Absolutely not’ said Broome as he dove instinctively down to his right to save Callum Hendry’s penalty, producing jubilant scenes at Plough Lane – scenes that were unfortunately short lived because as it turns out, old habits are hard to shake.

Inspired by his penalty blunder, Hendry stole in at the back post to tap home a looping header in the fourth minute of added time, but it didn’t stop there…

Disaster struck just minutes later as the Dons completely threw in the white flag. Salford slid through their disintegrating defence like a hot knife through butter and Hendry lashed a dagger of a shot past the helpless Broome and into the hearts of Wimbledon’s fans to make it 2-3 with almost the last kick of the game.

Hendry’s heroic last-ditch brace sent the Salford bench into raptures and moved the exuberant Ammies into the playoffs but left the 7,239 home supporters sickened at their sides ineptitude to hold onto winning positions.

With just one win in 15 league games and a trip to high flying Stevenage looming, the pressure is well and truly mounting on Jackson.

Author

  • Jack Hobbs

    21-year-old Sports Journalist. Previously a contributor for Green St Hammers & Vavel. Specialise in Football but interested in Basketball, Darts, F1 and American Football. If you’ve got a story, get in contact! @JH_Journalism

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