Francomb's effort chosen as number one goal
Neal Ardley has selected George Francomb’s strike against Brentford in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie as AFC Wimbledon’s best goal of 2013.
This provided us with a shortlist of six and we then asked Neal Ardley to choose his best goal. As part of the Football League’s Mitre Goal of the Year competition, we asked Dons supporters to help us make our submission by choosing their favourites via Twitter and e-mail.
.Dons You TubeAll six goals, including Neal talking us through each of them, can now be viewed in our video collection by clicking on
Neal chose Francomb’s effort because it was an excellent team goal and it came in a thrilling 5-3 defeat against a side currently chasing promotion in League 1. This goal has now been submitted to be considered for the Football League Awards next month.
Below is a list of the six goals chosen by Wimbledon supporters for the shortlist:
GEORGE FRANCOMB (3 September, 2013 v Brentford away) score: 5-3 defeat
A superb team move and finished off in clinical style by Francomb, who notched his first goal for the club.
SAMMY MOORE (16 November, 2013 v Portsmouth home) score 4-0 win
Just when Wimbledon were starting to come under a bit of Pompey pressure while holding a 2-0 lead, Sammy produced a superb volley from just outside the area and that helped the Dons go on to record a memorable 4-0 win.
JACK MIDSON (27 April, 2013 v Fleetwood home) 2-1 win
It was the goal that kept the Dons in the Football League in dramatic circumstances and it led to unprecedented scenes of relief and joy at The Cherry Red Records Stadium when the final whistle shrilled.
JONATHAN MEADES (20 April, 2013 v Gillingham away) 2-2 draw
Not the most spectacular of goals for AFC Wimbledon, but it was hugely significant in the survival race with Meades finishing off a fine team move to earn a 2-2 draw after the Dons had fallen 2-0 down before half-time.
MICHAEL SMITH (8 November, 2013 v Coventry City home) 3-1 defeat
Michael signed off his Dons loan spell with 10 goals to his name, but none were better than this powerful header that put Wimbledon 1-0 up at the time against the Sky Blues.
STACY LONG (1 January, 2013 v Torquay away) 3-2 win
Not quite as important a penalty as Jack Midson, but still hugely significant as Stacy’s last-minute spot-kick ended a long run without victory for a Dons side that were bottom of League 2 at the time.
We wish to thank WDON commentator Geoff Hawley for his assistance in putting the video collection together.