Bury 2-0 AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon will finish the season without an away win in 2015 after defeat at Bury left manager Neal Ardley admitting a serious lack of attacking nouse.
Goals from Tom Soares and Ryan Lowe mean the Dons last won on their travels on December 26 at Portsmouth, when Matt Tubbs – now with Pompey – was still at the club.
When Tubbs departed, scoring became an issue, with Wimbledon having notched only 19 goals in 22 league games, seven of which have come away from Kingsmeadow.
The frustrated Dons’ boss said: “It was the same old Wimbledon.
“We have lost players with key qualities and I have to take responsibility.
“Not enough of our players have the know-how to score goals at this level but the most disappointing thing apart from the result was our response after we went 2-0 down.
“There was no fight and not enough energy or drive.”
Soares headed past keeper James Shea from a corner after 33 minutes, in a first-half that saw the Dons more than match fourth-place Bury.
The Wombles’ best chances fell to Sean Rigg, who was foiled on five attempts over the course of the game including two brilliant saves from Bury keeper Nick Pope.
Wimbledon conceded a second in the 77th minute – a goal Ardley described as silly – and the Dons failed to rally in an effort to avoid a 12th fruitless away trip on the bounce.
“I hate losing,” bemoaned the Wimbledon manager.
“I hate the fact these fans have travelled all this way to come and watch a game against a team at the top and gone home disappointed, despite seeing that we have the makings of some good players.”
And despite Adebayo Akinfenwa’s 14 league goals, the Dons’ problems remain in front of goal as another game slipped away through their lack of finishing prowess.
Tubbs scored 12 times in 22 games for Wimbledon and losing the 30-year-old was a huge blow for Ardley, who is now desperate to right his side’s attacking wrongs.
Ardley promised: “I will work my socks off to put together a team capable of promotion next season.
“I have got to add some determination and grit.”
Wimbledon finish their season at home to already Cheltenham on Saturday knowing they will at least equal their highest ever League Two finish of 16th achieved in 2012.
They are even in with a shout of finishing in the top half should they win and Oxford United, Dagenham & Redbridge and Morecombe all lose.
Feature image courtesy of AFC Wimbledon TV, via Youtube, with thanks
