Post-match reaction after Newport win
Neal Ardley saluted the impact of substitutes Charlie Sheringham and Kevin Sainte-Luce after they breathed new life into AFC Wimbledon’s season.
The Dons were spinning towards what would have been a deflating fifth successive defeat after Ross Worner’s error at Rodney Parade before the late intervention of both substitutes earned a morale-boosting 2-1 victory.
“Credit to both substitutes because they’ve made a big impact on the game,” said Neal. “Charlie has been desperate to play and he came and saw me yesterday about playing. He’s looked lively in training and I know he will score goals. When he missed his first chance at the far post I thought it was going to be one of those days, but credit to him for coming back and scoring.
“We know that Kevin Sainte-Luce can be anything. We put him on the left side so that we could talk him through the wing-back role! He has cut inside and delivered a wonder strike for the winner. After we've played teams they always talk afterwards about our winger and ask about him. But people need to trust me. I understand that Kevin is an impact player and at the moment that is what he’s giving us until we can turn him into a better footballer.”
Neal was delighted with his side’s fighting spirit after they came from behind in such dramatic circumstances.
“We thoroughly deserved the win tonight,” added Neal. “The character we showed was typical Wimbledon, but we certainly don’t do things easily. We had three or four players that were not in the 18, but they asked to travel to the game. They could have been at home having a cup of tea, but they decided that they wanted to come with us and that sums up the team spirit we have.”
Dons Player subscribers can watch the full video interview with Neal Ardley tomorrow.