Match report
As the rain continued to fall, the second half took on a distinctly different feel. Presumably Steve Evans wasn’t entirely happy with his side’s showing in the first half, despite taking the lead, as Torres and Nielsen began the second period as if they’d been torn off a strip or two. Both sets of supporters were now questioning referee Barratt’s decision-making, and a four-minute wait for Hatton to take a free-kick while the official dealt with both sets of players jostling for position in the Crawley area didn’t help his cause – though to be fair to the visitors, they didn’t make as much of his meek showing as others might have done.
The game was still in the balance, and the quality of the play seemed to get even higher as the half progressed. Although Nielsen and Jackson’s jaw-dropping pace came to the fore, the central defensive partnerships of both sides were getting the upper hand. The clearest chance fell to Brodie after Wellard’s pass was blocked by Mills, but Brown rushed out and blocked his effort.
An astonishing decision then denied the Dons a chance to equalise. Ryan Jackson bamboozled Dean Howells and got his low cross in with ease, but before Kedwell could pounce on the ball, Kyle McFadzean nipped in and got his foot to it, sending it flying over the bar for a corner. Jordan was impressed with the defending and slapped his team-mate on the back in appreciation, only for Barratt to award a goal-kick.
With time running out, and Crawley looking hungry and able enough to score again, Terry Brown replaced Main and Wellard with Rashid Yussuff and Mark Nwokeji. With 13 minutes remaining, more jet-heeled work by Jackson forced former Don loanee Glenn Wilson into conceding a corner, and from Yussuff’s inswinger the indefatigable Hatton’s downward header gathered pace off the sodden pitch and arrowed into the top corner of the net to send the home crowd wild and Evans into a rage at his side’s inability to defend a set piece. Two minutes later, he almost exploded when another set piece proved to be his side’s undoing.
Mills gave away a needless free-kick 40 yards from goal, Gregory found Moore with a cute pass, and from his inswinging cross from the left Kedwell rose highest and planted a looping 15-yard header over Jordan and into the far corner of the net. Kingsmeadow erupted into a sea of jumping bodies as Kedwell celebrated by slowly kissing his beloved Dons’ badge. What Evans may have taken as a lack of ambition in staying with the Dons, Wimbledon fans saw as an act of uncommon loyalty. If anyone deserves to kiss a badge, it was Kedwell as his ninth goal of the season ensured all three points.
Crawley rallied, but to no avail, and the Dons hung on to take their place at the summit of non-League football once again. To win a football match of this intensity you need courage, passion, determination, belief and ability. AFC Wimbledon had all those things.
|
76)