Match-winner Ronan Curtis and Josh Neufville have only been with us for a short time, but both were fully aware just how much Saturday’s victory meant.
“That was a very different game to play in,” said Josh. “I’ve played in a fair few games for my age now and nothing compares to that, in terms of the atmosphere and what that game meant to the Club.
“When you sign for the Club, which I did in the summer, you are told this is the most important game - that it’s a must win game. It showed out there what it meant to the lads.”
You can see all the key moments and reaction from Josh Neufville and Ronan Curtis below.
Josh added: “It meant a lot to our kit men Robin Bedford and Trevor Williams, as it does to us, but they have a different passion towards this game. I think it meant a lot to the gaffer and the staff, given the recent run of results. There’s a mixture of different emotions throughout the Club.
“Ronan is a big player for us, having dropped down from League One. He’s a credit to himself, having come back from an ACL injury after eleven months. He put in a good shift after coming on. He created a few chances and it fell to the right man at the right time.”
After scoring in our victories over promotion contenders Mansfield and Barrow, Ronan continued his hot streak on home turf with his last-gasp strike defeating Milton Keynes Dons - and that signalled scenes of joy amongst players, staff and supporters.
“We knew we owed them one from when we played them away,” said Ronan. “We weren’t great then and we all knew that. All this week we’ve been getting into each other and telling each other it’s a massive game. The lads did brilliant today.
“It was carnage, in terms of the celebrations! I’m just glad to have scored the winner in a big, big game.
“It was crazy to play in. I was a little bit disappointed to not start the game. I want to play every match, but the gaffer is looking after me because I’ve been out for quite a while due to injury. Whenever I was called upon, I was there to deliver.
“Josh put in a huge shift. He’s been out for a while because of his back, but it’s great that’s he’s returned now. Hopefully Joe Lewis and Ryan Johnson are back in the next couple of weeks.”
Both wingers had praise for sponsor’s man of the match Omar Bugiel, who epitomised the Wimbledon spirit all over the pitch with a fully committed display.
“He gets kicked from pillar to post, all the time,” said Ronan. “He does so much work for the team. I’m buzzing for him to get that recognition, he did really well.
Josh added: “It’s what he brings to the team. I was with him last season at Sutton and everyone in the league knows that he’s a handful. He heads the ball, he tackles, he runs and that’s what is required to represent Wimbledon Football Club.”
Johnnie Jackson made changes to the back line. The starting line-up included a full debut for John-Joe O’Toole, while Kofi Balmer was a surprise inclusion after recovering from a hamstring issue. Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed in helping Alex Bass to a twelfth clean sheet this season.
“It was different,” said Josh. “John-Joe slotted in, he hasn’t figured as much as he would have liked to. Kofi came back from that injury after it was well managed. He was only out for a week or so. We’ve all fitted in quite well, considering the magnitude of the game.
“We know how good Kofi is, he’s a real threat with those long throw-ins,” added Ronan. “We changed our shape, having worked on it all week, and it paid off. We know how strong and physical John-Joe can be, he won all his headers and tackles and played a bit as well. I’m delighted for him on his debut.”
Photos: Stephen Flynn (Pro Sports Images).