Football Review | AFC Wimbledon 1 - 1 Port Vale

AFC Wimbledon denied a fifth successive league victory

Devante Cole’s late strike earned Port Vale a draw after an action-packed second half.

Author | Kris Stuart

Stadium | Plough Lane

Views from around the ground

The Valiants almost made an early breakthrough when George Byers met Ronan Curtis’s fine cross, only to see his header cannon off the crossbar.

Wimbledon’s first real spell of possession nearly ended in disaster when Isaac Ogundere’s heavy touch on halfway sent George Hall through on goal. Instead of shooting, Hall opted to square the ball, allowing Jake Reeves to recover and cut out the danger.

Reeves went close himself after the break, curling a free-kick narrowly over, before Omar Bugiel’s glancing header drew an excellent stop from Ben Amos.

View from behind the goal.

A strong second-half showing paid off for Wimbledon in the 72nd minute. Antwoine Hackford pounced on a loose ball inside the box before finding the bottom-right corner. Could the home side hold on for three points that would move them up to third place?

Wimbledon couldn't hold on...

Just as Johnnie Jackson’s side looked set for three points, Alistair Smith’s misplaced pass on the edge of his own box gifted Vale a lifeline. Hall seized on the error to set up Cole, who swept home an 86th-minute equaliser.

A late winner seemed possible, but neither side could find the breakthrough. Four added minutes passed with few chances of note, leaving the Dons to settle for their first draw of the season while stretching their unbeaten league run to five matches.

The perspective from the fans

Vincent, a Wimbledon season ticket holder, said: “Another gutsy performance from the Wombles. Vale were far better than their league position suggests, and a draw was probably the best we could have hoped for. Good luck to Vale for the rest of the season.”

Source | Dons Vlogs

Donald, another fan, added: “To all Wimbledon supporters, we’d have taken this result and league position at the start of the season. Let’s not worry about one unlucky result and just get behind the boys. We were also missing four starters.”

Ryan was also positive about the display despite the dropped points. He told us: “Once again, we pressed a much stronger opposition in the second half and showed the commitment that’s got us to where we are now.”