Saturday 25 August 2007 Ryman League, Premier Division East Thurrock United    1 - 0    AFC Wimbledon Ashley Dumas (56)        Jamie Riley 1 Andy Little    (sub 74) ( 30)  Gary Ansell 2 Luke Garrard     Ashley Dumas 3 Michael Haswell     Bradley Stevens 4 Robert Quinn (sub 68)     Wes Faulkner 5 Jason Goodliffe     Max Cornhill 6 Jake Leberl     Lee Burns 7 Steven Ferguson    (sub 53)  Leli Bagada 8 Samuel Hatton    (sub 83)  Steve West 9 Daniel Webb    ( 89)  Jamie Richards 10 Richard Jolly (sub 75)     Ben Boyce 11 Anthony Finn (sub 35)      ---     (sub 83)  Danny Harris 12 Karl Beckford (sub 35)      13 Paul Seuke     Dave Collis 14 Antony Howard    (sub 83)  Steve Harrison 15 Richard Butler (sub 75)    (sub 74)  Jon Turnbill 16 Kevin Warner (sub 68)     Lee Patterson 17     Match report Wimbledon dropped their first points of the season against a resilient East Thurrock side in a 1-0 defeat. Despite having the lions’ share of the possession AFC Wimbledon could not convert their dominance into goals. The Dons lined up with the same eleven that had won the first two games of the league campaign and the similarities almost continued when Mickey Haswell saw his free-kick tipped over the bar after two minutes, denying the traditional early goal. East Thurrock responded with a dangerous set-piece of their own when a long-range free-kick was sent inches wide of Andy Little’s post by Ansell. Both sides seemed to be quite cautious in their play early on and no real chances were made until the 20th minute when the Dons fans thought they had gone 1-0 up. A long throw from Jolly found Webb in the centre and his volleyed finish was disallowed for a seemingly innocuous challenge on his marker. Once again, and only six minutes later, Wimbledon had another goal ruled out when Jason Goodliffe’s headed finish was deemed to be a foul on the East Thurrock goalkeeper. The disallowed goals seemed to spur Wimbledon on as they began to pressure East Thurrock heavily. Steve Ferguson found some space after cutting in from the wing but his shot was saved at the near post. Jolly also went close after a Ferguson cut-back gave him a clear sight of goal. Unfortunately for Wimbledon their creative output was hampered when Anthony Finn had to be taken off after just 39 minutes due to an injury. At the half-time whistle Wimbledon looked the better side but it would become apparent in the second half that the lack of goals from their possession would cost them. Wimbledon had the first chance of the second half when Daniel Webb put Ferguson through but the East Thurrock centre-back got back in time to block Fergie’s effort. The only goal of the game came in the 56th minute when an East Thurrock corner found its way directly into Andy Little’s goal before being cleared but the referee judged that the ball had crossed the line. Wimbledon spent the rest of the game trying to get back on level terms but seemed to lack the creative edge that they had in the opening two games, perhaps due to Finn’s injury. However, despite this there were still some chances for the Dons. Steve Ferguson saw his long range effort spilled by the keeper and it was only collected just before Webb came in to hit the rebound. Webb himself had a great chance from a Richard Jolly cross but his header was wide of the mark. Terry Brown decided to make a change and Quinn was replaced by Warner, Richard Butler also came off the bench with 15 minutes remaining to replace Jolly. However, chances were few and far between and the closest Wimbledon got to equalising was a Steve Ferguson effort that was deflected just over the bar. Wimbledon carried on pushing forwards but couldn’t break down the East Thurrock defence and the score line never really looked like changing. Now all attention is focussed on the Staines game on Bank Holiday Monday where Terry Brown’s men will try to re-find their winning form. Next Match >>