Cambridge United 0-0 AFC Wimbledon
Neal Ardley felt mixed emotions after AFC Wimbledon’s excellent display at Cambridge United last night was only rewarded with a draw.
Both sides had their goalkeepers to thank after Cambridge’s Chris Dunn denied Adebayo Akinfenwa from the spot just after the restart, before James Shea saved Robbie Simpson’s penalty just before the hour mark.
Despite making four changes to the side which beat Luton at the weekend, Ardley still felt his team were good enough to win the game at the R Costings Abbey Stadium.
He said: “It was a high level of performance. I cannot fault them and the only thing I was disappointed with is that we did not get a goal from one of the numerous great positions that we got ourselves in.
“I thought we were excellent.”
The Dons manager was full of praise for Tom Beere, who made only his second League Two start after coming through the club’s academy, playing on the right wing.
“In the long-term, I think Tom is going to be a better central midfielder, but he can certainly play this role well.
“Tom has come into a good team with good players.
It was Beere who had the first clear chance in the game but could not find the net after meeting Jack Smith’s cross.
Ade Azeez, Beere and Akinfenwa all had great chances to put the Dons ahead in the first half, which also saw Dave Winfield clear Liam Hughes’ effort off the line to keep it level at the interval.
Just after the restart Azeez was taken down by Josh Coulson when put through on goal but Akinfenwa saw his spot kick saved by Dunn.
The save sparked life back into the home side and their pressure was rewarded with a penalty after Sammy Moore was ruled to have handled a cross but it was Shea’s turn to be the hero with a brilliant save.
The Dons’ manager conceded Cambridge had their own good moments in the game but feels his side’s overall performance merited all three points.
“Cambridge had a 15-20 minute spell in the first half when they threatened from set-pieces and the same in the second half, but we were much better than them all around the park,” he said.
“It was just our final ball and finishing that we were lacking.”
