AFC Wimbledon opened their pre-season campaign with an exciting 4-3 defeat at Dover Athletic.
The Dons let a slender half-time lead slip at Crabble as the goals flowed in the second period by the seaside.
Wimbledon took the lead from the penalty spot when Toyosi Olusanya was brought down and Tom Elliott rammed home from 12 yards.
Dover levelled the score shortly after the restart but Lyle Taylor soon restored the away side’s advantage.
That sparked an exciting game in the second 45 minutes as Tyrone Marson, Jordon Chiedozie and Mark Donniger fired Athletic out of sight.
Debutant Dominic Poleon pulled one back from with a second Wimbledon penalty spot to bring the seven-goal contest to a close.
Here’s a look at what we learned from our first glimpse of Neal Ardley’s Wombles this summer.
Sizing up a new recruit
Aaron Greene was named on the Dons bench as part of his trial period at the club.
Greene was being judged by Wimbledon’s coaching team after 10 days under the microscope in training and on the pitch last night.
Greene is a young left-back who was released by Brentford earlier this summer after two years at the club.
He was on loan at Boston United last season before returning to Griffin Park with a serious knee injury and has been recovering from the ailment since.
Wimbledon are short of options at full-back following Callum Kennedy’s departure but Jon Meades will start the season as first choice regardless.
Bird’s-eye view for the boss
Simon Bassey and Neil Cox took their place in the dugout as the game kicked off at Crabble.
Where was Ardley ? The main man was sat in the stands to get a clearer view of the shape of his team in their opening game.
Some bosses, Steve McClaren and Sam Allardyce to name but two, can often be found in a director’s box rather than a dugout while their sides are playing.
It is a rare occurrence when you spot Ardley up there though, perhaps suggesting that tactical tinkering with his formations is particularly high on the agenda this summer.
New signings on show
One of the main draws for supporters coming out to pre-season friendlies is the chance to see new players in action.
Clarke looked decent enough in the first 45 minutes before Poleon, Chris Whelpdale and Dean Parrett entered the fray in the second half.
Striker Poleon will have been pleased to get on the scoresheet on the spot, giving him confidence ahead of another weekend trip to the coast this weekend.
But there was concern for Parrett who was forced off with a deep cut under his eye which required stitches.
Darius Charles, who signed on a permanent deal after a successful loan from Burton, was not risked after picking up a knock in training earlier this week.
Shea back in the spotlight
James Shea admitted last season was horrible for him as he found himself demoted from first-choice goalkeeper to Kingsmeadow bench warmer.
New signing Ryan Clarke took possession of the gloves for this one but hadned them over at half time as the former Arsenal youngster entered the fray.
But he won’t want to see the first Dover goal back again as he failed to deal with a cross and was soon picking the ball out of the onion bag.
It’s not the start he would have wanted to his pre season as he bids to win back the shirt but it is early days and he would rather make errors now than in competitive action.
The battle for the No 1 spot will be keenly contested this season.
