AFC Wimbledon’s 2022/23 campaign finished with a 1-0 loss away at Grimsby Town.
In the end the game was settled by an unfortunate moment as Isaac Ogundere inadvertently directed a cross into his own goal not long after kick-off.
It summed up our luck as it proved to be decisive, with the Mariners pushing hard to increase their lead either side of Josh Davison’s numerous half chances.
The match itself was a laboured encounter between two sides who were looking to finish their respective seasons on the up, but sadly it wasn’t to be for the Dons.
Our attentions now turn towards another big summer as we seek to vastly improve on the field of play.
Johnnie Jackson made numerous changes to the side which drew with Tranmere Rovers as Ogundere, Aaron Pierre and Sam Pearson came in for Huseyin Biler, Lee Brown and Ali Al-Hamadi.
Alex Pearce made his return from injury to feature on the bench, alongside Morgan Williams, who featured in a matchday squad at senior level for the first time.
There was an early setback inside the first 10 minutes for the Dons as the hosts took the lead. A cross was chipped into the area, with Ogundere being the unfortunate party as the ball deflected off him and into the net.
Overall it was a largely disjointed first half from our perspective, with passes going astray in key areas as we struggled to put together any good attacks of note. This meant there was a lot of work to do as we headed into the second 45 minutes.
There was a significant moment not long into the second-half as Chris Gunter came on for his final career appearance after recently announcing his retirement. This coincided with our first real opening of the game as Josh Davison’s shot forced a corner.
Our number nine then had another effort drift just wide of the upright as he continued to threaten in the final third. At the other end we had to stay resolute, with two goal line clearances being required to prevent the hosts from doubling their advantage. Kasey McAteer then tried his luck from distance.
There was then a third clearance from within the goalmouth as Pierre slid an effort clear following a brilliant initial save by Nathan Broome. As the game began to draw to a close Williams was handed his debut for the first-team, partnering Alfie Bendle in midfield for the final few minutes.
Two substitutes then combined to almost come up with a dramatic equaliser, with Quaine Bartley firing over after being found well by Gunter.
Despite the raft of changes and some late pressure it wasn’t to be as our season finished with a narrow defeat.
AFC Wimbledon: Nathan Broome, Alex Woodyard (Morgan Williams), Will Nightingale, Josh Davison (Quaine Bartley), Diallang Jaiyesimi (Alfie Bendle), Ethan Chislett, Aaron Pierre, Kasey McAteer, Jack Currie, Sam Pearson, Isaac Ogundere (Chris Gunter)
Attendance: 6,733 (367 away)
PICS: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images)