AFC Wimbledon 2 Worcester City 0 (From Worcester News)

AFC Wimbledon 2 Worcester City 0

10:52pm Tuesday 24th February 2009

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TWO goals in as many second-half minutes broke Worcester City’s resolve as Blue Square South leaders AFC Wimbledon won 2-0 at Kingsmeadow.

Richard Dryden’s side were the stronger side for much of the first-half, but were overpowered after the break as Alan Inns and Jon Main underlined the Dons’ promotion credentials.

City keeper Danny McDonnell, making his 350th appearance for the club, kept the score down with an inspired display, including a superb penalty save in first-half stoppage time.

However, opposite number Andy Little was not so fortunate as he was stretchered off in the second-half.

Matt Dodd returned to the Worcester midfield, but defender Tom Kemp was unavailable and was replaced alongside Ollie Barnes by Jon Richardson.

City, with just four subs, got in the faces of their opponents from the off with Gary Walker stinging the palms of keeper Little on 11 minutes.

McDonnell was quick off his line to deny Main but Terry Brown’s side were distinctly second best.

The visitors, though, could have been made to pay for not taking advantage of their dominance when McDonnell had to be alert to smother from Main after Richardson had sold him short.

But the game came to life as half-time approached. Danny Kedwell got behind the City defence and his effort looked to be heading for the net but for a superb intervention from McDonnell.

However, as the ball broke free, Shabir Khan bundled Main to the floor and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Khan was booked but can consider himself lucky not to have been sent off.

The drama hadn’t ended their, though, as McDonnell flung himself to his left to save Main’s spot-kick.

The hosts might have had a second penalty on 52 minutes when Barnes looked to hold back Main, but the Dons were ahead 60 seconds later. A corner came in from the left, Inns’ shot was blocked on the line but the defender was on hand to lash home the rebound.

Things went from bad to worse a little under two minutes later as Kedwell broke free and crossed for Main to scramble home his 29th league goal of the season.

Keeper Little saved well from Marco Adaggio on 63 minutes but hurt himself and was replaced by James Pullen.

Wimbledon kept up the pressure and could have had a third when Main slid the ball past McDonnell, but the post came to the visitors’ rescue.

Adaggio pulled an effort wide of Pullen’s post late on in a rare Worcester second-half chance.

Dryden’s side also picked up a further three bookings for Jordan Fitzpatrick, substitute Dave Bampton and Barnes, the latter now due to serve a two-game ban for 10 cautions.

Worcester City (4-4-2): McDonnell 8*, Ward 6, Khan 7, Richardson 7, Barnes 6, Fitzpatrick (Bampton 75) 5, Dodd (Bridges 90) 6, Walker 7, Wilding (c) 6, Adaggio 7, Davies 6. Subs not used: Brown, Heeley.

Referee: C Brook (St Leonards-on-Sea). Attendance: 2,695.

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