AFC Wimbledon lost out 3-1 to Portsmouth in a behind closed doors friendly on Tuesday afternoon as several players were given runouts.
The League One side eventually came out on top as goals from Paddy Lane, Joe Pigott and Reeco Hackett cancelled out Saikou Janneh’s first-half opener.
However, our coaching staff will no doubt be satisfied with big elements of the performance as we pressed well as a unit and kept our shape brilliantly when out of possession, frustrating our hosts as they sought to play out from the back.
Johnnie Jackson named a strong team for this match, with Will Nightingale, Aaron Pierre and Kasey McAteer all given minutes at a key stage of the season.
Meanwhile, a number of our Under-18s featured in the squad off the back of their impressive run in the FA Youth Cup.
We were quickly into our stride early on with McAteer seeing a free-kick fly just wide. Nightingale then went close with a volley that forced Josh Oluwayemi into a strong save at the near post after a corner wasn’t fully cleared.
Our bright spell continued with Jack Currie next to go close as he headed over from another set piece. We then got the goal that our performance in the first 45 minutes deserved as Janneh deflected a Oluwayemi clearance into the unguarded net.
There was then a shift prior to half-time as Pompey equalised against the run of play. Good link-up play between Pigott and Dane Scarlett saw the latter cross low for Lane to slide home. It was then 2-1 just moments later as Pigott tapped in after an initial shot found its way into his path.
Our tempo stayed high after half-time as Williams had Oluwayemi diving at full stretch to keep out his long range effort. Janneh then came close to his second as the Pompey keeper came out on top in a one on one.
The final quarter largely passed without incident before a late goal from Hackett wrapped up the win after Pigott set up the opportunity.
It was a disappointing result for the Dons in the end, but nevertheless the match served its purpose with first teamers sharpening up their fitness ahead of our big game versus Carlisle.
AFC Wimbledon: Nathan Broome, Will Nightingale (Jola Lahan), George Marsh (Kwaku Frimpong), Saikou Janneh (Remi Onabanjo), Diallang Jaiyesimi (Quaine Bartley), Aaron Pierre, Kasey McAteer, Jack Currie (Ibrahim Bangura), Sam Pearson, Isaac Ogundere, Morgan Williams (Paris Lock)
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