Wimbledon manager praises ‘reliable’ forward Kyle Hudlin
AFC Wimbledon claimed their place in the last 16 of the Papa John’s trophy thanks to an early Kyle Hudlin goal.
Hudlin has played a bit part role at Wimbledon this season, failing to make a single start in the league so far. Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson, however, was quick to praise the forward, who took his chance from the start well.
Jackson said: “I’m really pleased for him, he’s another one who has had to bide his time and wait for an opportunity, they have been quite limited due to the form of the guys playing in his position. But I knew I could rely on him, and he took his goal really well,
“He helps out in both boxes – when you’re having to defend set pieces and he’s a threat at the other end. He got through 90 minutes there and he’s fighting for the team and the cause and that’s all we can ask of him.”
There were some unsavoury scenes at full-time when Wimbledon keeper Nathan Broome clashed with Sutton United fans behind his goal. This resulted in a brawl which saw almost the entire coaching staff of both sides rushing onto the pitch.
A scuffle ensues after full time, seemed Broome had some words for the Sutton fans behind the goals and Sutton players reacted causing the benches to clear #AFCW pic.twitter.com/v9l7NBuSzc
— Conor Keenan (@ConorJKeenan) November 22, 2022
Johnnie Jackson was quick to defend his 20-year-old goalkeeper. He said: “I don’t think he’s done too much wrong, to be honest. He went to retrieve his water bottle and then it all kicked off after that.
“I’m not interested in that side of things, I’m interested in how he’s done tonight as a goalkeeper, and I thought he was excellent.
“Again, he’s another lad who has had to bide his time, and one thing he hasn’t had yet is a real physical test like he’s had tonight.
“He’s had to be dominant in his penalty area tonight, he’s had to claim crosses and make those split-second decisions about whether you come or stay, and how you marshal your defence. He did all of that tonight.
“It was a really big test for him, and he has passed with flying colours.”
It is now ten games unbeaten for Wimbledon, who suffered their last defeat against Sutton back in October.
https://twitter.com/AFCWimbledon/status/1595383077064294403
Jackson, who was hired at the start of the season, is happy with the progress his side is making, he said: “I’m really pleased with how it is going. There was a lot asked about myself, the players, everyone after that Sutton game because it hurt, me as much as anyone.
“But we’ve gone on a really good run since then and we’re delighted with how it is going, we just want to keep it going as long as we can.
“It was nice to get a bit of revenge tonight and keep that run going… we are improving our position in the league, and we want to keep climbing. We’re through in the Papa John’s (Trophy) and we want to get through in the FA cup,” he added.
“We aren’t even halfway through the season yet and we just need to keep steady, calm, and make sure we don’t get too high and see where it takes us.”
Wimbledon’s next game sees them face National League side Chesterfield in the FA Cup 2nd round on Saturday.
