Johnnie Jackson felt a slack quarter of the second-half cost us dearly as AFC Wimbledon fell to a 2-1 loss against Gillingham.
It had all appeared to have been going so well as Ali Al-Hamadi gave us an early lead in the second-half. However goals from Shaun Williams and Cheye Alexander swung the game on its head as we came away empty handed.
“A 15 minute period of the game has taken it away from us,” said Johnnie. “We allowed them to get back in the game after we started the second-half so well. We didn’t capitalise on taking the lead. The first-half was a pretty poor spectacle.
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“We knew it would come with Ali. He’s benefitted from playing in that partnership with Josh. It helps to stretch defences, but I felt we could’ve done it more today.”
Ahead of today’s game the gaffer rung the changes, with some being enforced due to the absence of the likes of Alex Pearce, Paul Kalambayi and Diallang Jaiyesimi. This offered opportunities for the likes of Will Nightingale – making his first start since September – and Kasey McAteer, who featured at right wing-back.
In addition to this Harry Pell and Alex Woodyard also picked up knocks during the 90 minutes, meaning we may have to rotate again this coming Tuesday against Stevenage.
“We had to juggle things around. We lost Pearce and Kalambayi – who have been mainstays at the back. Will got through the game well, which is a massive plus for us. Kasey has shown promise every time he’s come onto the pitch, with the injuries we’ve picked up we felt it was a good way of getting him into the team. He utilised his energy well in a role that he’s more than capable of playing.
“Pelly felt his calf, Woody took a knock in the first-half. We’ll assess those boys. Pearcey and PK are going to be touch and go for Tuesday. We need to make sure we put the freshest and most energetic team we can out for the next game.”
PIC: Simon Traylen (Pro Sports Images)