Jake Reeves and Lyle Taylor scored second half goals to ensure AFC Wimbledon beat MK Dons in a game that was about far more than just three points. You’ve read the match reports and listening to the interviews, now here are six things I observed on Tuesday night in Kingston.
TAKING NO CHANCES – I’ve been to some of English football’s most high profile derbies but I can’t remember experiencing such tight security checks and such an impressive police presence as on Tuesday night. Cars queued to be let into the Cherry Red Records Stadium car park as passengers had their matchday tickets checked and then there were further queues as people and bags were searched before entering the ground. Yes, it was a bit of a pain but ultimately it ensured what was potentially a hot pot of tension, 15 years in the making, went by largely without incident. There was a fantastic atmosphere and home supporters let the ‘franchise’ know what they thought of them without any ugly scenes. Kudos to AFC Wimbledon.
WHO? The date of this game may have been noted from the moment the fixture list was first published but if you were of a forgetful nature, there were few reminders of the opposition’s name. Where possible, there was no mention of the Buckingham imposters at all – including on the front of the redesigned matchday programme – and where it was entirely necessary they were simply referred to as Milton Keynes or MK. There is only one Dons, and the visitors weren’t let forgot it.
12th MAN – The noise started outside the clubhouse bar in the hours leading up to kick-off and continued inside the stadium. The AFC Wimbledon players were left in no doubt of how much Tuesday night’s game meant to their supporters and it was reflected in their hard-working and full-blooded performance as they battled for every ball, chasing what normally might be lost causes. My favourite chants included: ‘You franchise b*****ds, you know what you are’, ‘Nine years – it only took nine years’ and ‘Where were you when you were us?’.
A LOT TO LIVE UP TO - The build up to the game had been huge and some may argue 15 years long, so it was inevitable that the game not quite live up to the billing – certainly in the first half. After a frantic first five minutes, the game lost its way a little as the teams cancelled each other out. The Dons had the better chances but it wasn’t until Neal Ardley made a few tweaks at half-time that they were able to make them count. And what a second half it was. A first half highlight was MK number one David Martin having to retrieve his own ball to take goal-kicks though. No-one fancied helping him out strangely.
MEN IN THE MIDDLE – No, not the referee (although, I thought the officials had a good game overall). I mean Jake Reeves and Dannie Bulman. They share a love of running but otherwise have very different styles but it just works with them together. Reeves’ youthful enthusiasm and willingness to run at players and Bulman's calm head and experienced play – they were the perfect foil for one another on Tuesday night
DON’T BE TOO ARD-LEY ON YOURSELF – December’s defeat at Stadium:mk would have been hard to take for everyone involved but it has clearly been playing on Neil Ardley’s mind more than most. The manager’s pleasure at beating Milton Keynes was mixed with relief after setting right the wrongs of December’s performance. On Tuesday night, the manager was quick to refer to the loss at Stadium:mk, shouldering much of the blame for a performance in which he said his side “didn’t turn up” . However, those ghosts have been laid to rest now as it’s safe to say that Tuesday night’s convincing 2-0 will live long in the memory for the supporters who were able to make the trip to Kingston.
