Manager's post-match reaction after Wycombe
Neal Ardley felt aggrieved with the decisions of referee Trevor Kettle after Wimbledon were denied all three points against promotion contenders Wycombe.
Wimbledon had the ball in the net shortly after half-time through Craig Tanner, but the referee adjudged that Aaron Pierre had been fouled by Bayo Akinfenwa, who was also later denied a “blatant penalty” after a challenge by the same player.
Speaking during an interview with Rob Cornell for Dons Player, Neal Ardley said: “I am always really careful and do my homework before I make comments about the referee. I looked at the video by our analyst and I have been in to see the referee. It was the most blatant penalty you will ever see. It has been a constant theme throughout the season that there has been disappointment at the standard of officials. It has not been good enough.
“For the disallowed goal, I don’t think anyone could watch it and tell me who was fouling. Both players were holding onto each other, Bayo heads it across and we score. It was disallowed and they are two key decisions out of our hands.”
Neal Ardley added that he was very pleased with his side’s overall display on the day with Wimbledon pushing Gareth Ainsworth’s high flyers all the way.
“Considering we got back at 5.00 am on Wednesday morning from Plymouth, the energy, effort and commitment from the players was phenomenal,” said Neal. “On another day with a better referee we could have won the game 1-0 or 2-0. James Shea told me he did not have a save to make all game. I thought we were really good at times today.
“Wycombe’s away record is very good and they defended well. Their goalkeeper has made some good saves. It was the same old story from us in that we lacked that little bit of quality and nous in the final third to finish off chances. I think we have been the better team in the majority of the games that we have played recently.”
The full interview with Neal Ardley is now on Dons Player.