AFC WIMBLEDON 4-1 LUTON TOWN
AFC Wimbledon got back to winning ways in style this weekend with their biggest home victory this season against Luton Town, leaving them just three points off the play-off positions in 10th.
Neal Ardley’s men hit four past the Hatters, with Ryan Sweeney and Lyle Taylor putting the Dons two up after 25 minutes, then Sean Rigg struck early in the second half before Taylor hit his second of the afternoon.
The visitors managed a consolation goal through forward Jack Marriot, but the ruthlessness of the home team shone through as Wimbledon continued their bid for the play-off positions.
“I think the score line in the end doesn’t do Luton justice,” said Ardley, who has now guided Wimbledon to five wins in the last six league games.
“I think for large parts they caused us problems, they had 15 attempts at our goal, with six on target.
“That’s rare, we’re the second best in the league for having [fewest] attempts on our goal.
“Portsmouth are above us, but we’re the second best in the league at that. It’s rare and that’s credit to Luton.
“The difference is, we defended our box and they didn’t.
“Ultimately we scored at good times and if you look, we scored two in the space of two minutes of the first half and two in the space of two minutes again [in the second-half] that makes all the difference.”
With such a deadly strike force at his service, Ardley sees no reason why his side cannot keep challenging for the play-off spots despite having seven games in the next three weeks.
He said: “That’s what we hoped for at the start of the season.
“We sat down and had a seven hour staff meeting and talked about what promotion might look like.
“We said four good forwards, competition for places, the ability to take two off and [put] two on, all different qualities, and we’ve got that.
“In these seven games in three weeks, I won’t worry which forwards I play.
“I don’t think I weaken the team playing any of them, they all bring different qualities that can win games and they’re all unplayable when they’re at it. Just got to keep them at it.”
Next up for AFC Wimbledon is a trip to The Hive to face Barnet, who are nine points behind the Dons and unbeaten in their last four matches.
Image courtesy of AFC Wimbledon via YouTube, with thanks
