Today marks the anniversary of a key night in AFC Wimbledon history as we took a vital step towards finally getting out of the Ryman League!
Jon Main's clincher is a moment still cherished in Wimbledon history as the pacy striker sealed play-off semi-final victory versus AFC Hornchurch. It led to a win in the final versus Staines Town - and meant promotion at the third attempt from the Ryman Premier League.
We led 2-1 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium heading into the final stages of a tense match, before 'Mainy' had the final say.
“We were hanging on and then Steve Ferguson cleared the ball,” Mainy recalled. “I ran about 15 yards back to pick it up. I was waiting to get clattered, but their defender stayed off me. He gave me a little bit of space to control it and then I was away. I could see Finnie (Tony Finn) on the right, all by himself, screaming for the ball. But I knew I could beat the last man. I got around him and tucked it under the ‘keeper. Then I remember being totally out of breath, and everyone piling on top of me.”
“The atmosphere at the ground that night was something special. There are times when Wimbledon fans really transform a stadium, and that was one of those nights.”
Click on the link below to watch a short video including contributions from Mainy, Erik Samuelson, Mickey Haswell, and Rob Cornell. This featured on our 'Farewell to Kingsmeadow' video.