AFC Wimbledon may have been early pacesetters in the Conference National, but in a blustery afternoon at Kingsmeadow the Dons showed both why they may not have what it takes to challenge for the title but also why it would be dangerous for anybody to write them off this season.
Anybody arriving late would have missed as frantic and bizarre a first five minutes as you’re likely to see anywhere. Wimbledon, intent on carrying on from where they left off from their midweek mauling of Cambridge, came storming out of the blocks and forced five corners in the first four minutes after good work from Christian Jolley down the left.
But just as it looked as though it was a question of if not when Wimbledon would score, Forest Green produced a goal out of nothing. Chris Flood broke for Rovers before feeding Ben Watson. The on-loan Exeter striker was forced to the edge of the penalty box but managed to fire a shot away that zipped passed Seb Brown in the Dons goal and into the net, stunning the home fans into silence.
If this seemed completely against the run of play in the opening five minutes, over the course of the full 90, Rovers proved this was no smash and grab raid and had plenty of chances to win the game.
With their momentum checked, Terry Brown’s men spent most of the half looking nervy and unsure of themselves, with Danny Kedwell isolated up front, despite winning the majority of flick-ons up front.
But for all their possession, the Dons failed to trouble Forest Green keeper James Bittner and it was Rovers who had the best chances of the half with the lively Watson fizzing in a shot from outside the area.
Still Wimbledon failed to get going after half-time, with Luke Moore replacing the unwell Steven Gregory while Jolley – the Dons best attacking outlet – switching wings. Still the Dons laboured until the ineffectual Ricky Wellard and the injured Ryan Jackson were replaced with Jon Main and Rashid Yussuff.
Main may have not done much during his cameo but shifting the shape of the side made the Dons more effective as a unit while Yussuff provided much needed drive from the middle of the park.
But despite this it took a moment of individual brilliance for Wimbledon to draw level. Christian Jolley teased Gavin Caines on the edge of the Rovers box before blasting an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
In many respects, it was no less than the Dons deserved for all their possession, but at the same time it was a cruel blow to a well organised and competitive Forest Green side, who refused to wilt despite being pegged back.
With Flood and Mike Fowler breaking up play in the middle of the park, Wimbledon struggled for any rhythm and were sloppy in possession, often giving the ball away in promising positions. Meanwhile Watson, Reece Styche, and James Norwood were proving willing runners up front and kept the Dons backline honest, even if Norwood did indulge in a spot of play-acting.
Indeed, Rovers had a great opportunity to win it late on when Fowler burst into the box but chose to shoot rather than square for Watson.
Wimbledon’s day was summed up by the final five minutes when, rather than push for an equaliser, passed the ball around their own half before constantly losing possession.
For Rovers, although they remain in the bottom four, this was a performance that belied their lowly position. Manager Dave Hockaday was under pressure before the game but will point to a much-improved performance as evidence that he is the man to turn things around at the New Lawn, even if his two most impressive players – Watson and Flood – are only temporary additions.
Opposite number Terry Brown, meanwhile, can point to the large number of players on the treatment table, plus an exhausting schedule, as excuses, although he will not be happy with a decidedly off performance from his charges.
Nonetheless, there were flashes of brilliance from the Dons despite a poor overall game, to suggest they can continue to keep Crawley honest at the top of the table. Forest Green will just be hoping that this hard-earned point can act as a turning point for what’s been a dismal campaign so far.
Tags: AFC Wimbledon, Ben Watson, Chris Flood, Christian Jolley, Forest Green Rovers