AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley praised a complete performance as the Dons beat league leaders Burton Albion 3-0 last night.
Adebayo Akinfenwa scored twice, his first goals for the club, to follow up strike partner Matt Tubbs’ opener and end a run of four league games without a win for the Dons.
“We delivered in all parts and it was very pleasing,” said Ardley – whose side won for only the fourth time at home in 2014.
“It hurts me when we disappoint 3,000-4,000 people at home and the last thing I said to the players before they went out was that actions speak louder than words.
“But we have to master how we win games when we are not free-flowing and playing well.
“We played really well last night, but if we don’t have the same qualities on Saturday, will we win the game?”
The Dons took the lead in 21st minute courtesy of a tidy finish from top scorer Tubbs, the striker continuing his fine form with his eighth goal of the season.
The lead was extended in the 37th minute when George Francomb’s cross was met by Akinfenwa’s header.
Cheered on by a crowd of 3,195 Wimbledon continued their dominance into the second half and Francomb and Akinfenwa combined again in the 67th minute to complete the scoring and move the Dons up to 12th in League Two.
One negative was Tubbs’ dismissal late on for two yellow cards – the first for an altercation with George Taft and the second for deliberate handball which deprived the Dons of their main goal threat when they face Morecambe at home on Saturday.
After the match, Ardley praised 17-year-old academy product Ben Harrison who was making his second appearance for the club but warned fans not to expect too much too soon.
“What we have to do now is make sure we look after him,” he said.
“We must not flog him and we need to nurture Ben.”
Image courtesy of AFC Wimbledon TV via YouTube, with thanks
