Manager's post-match reaction after Dons defeated by Sutton
Neal Ardley said the manner of AFC Wimbledon’s FA Cup exit was tough to take, but he was quick to wish Sutton United all the best in the fourth round.
Referee Chris Sarginson’s decision to send off Paul Robinson turned out to be crucial as Sutton exposed the one-man deficiency in ruthless fashion near the end.
, Neal Ardley said: “It is tough to take. We had a game plan and that went out of the window after 15 minutes. It’s hard to criticise the players. I thought they were excellent in the first-half with 10 men and they had a right go in the second-half. Unfortunately, Sutton have kept going and got their moments late on.Dons PlayerSpeaking during a post-match interview for
“It is for the referee and the assessor, in a big game worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, to dictate whether they think the referee had a big bearing on the game. My job is to show a little bit of class, wish Sutton all the best, and say ‘well done’ because they have really given us a game in both matches.
“Our 10 men gave everything and we tried our best. The circumstances of the game today have been made harder for us by a refereeing decision. Whether it was right or not, we have to accept that and give Sutton credit.”
On the decision to show Robinson a straight red for bringing down Matt Tubbs, Neal said: “It is 50/50 and a really tough call. Whether it is right or not, you have to be absolutely certain. For me, the ball was running through to our goalie and ‘Tubbsy’, as a centre-forward should, has made the most of it and thrown himself to the ground. It had changed the game as we all know.”
.Dons PlayerThe post-match interview with Neal Ardley is on