AFC Wimbledon 2–1 Rotherham United
Plough Lane soaked, Rotherham sunk
AFC Wimbledon returned to winning ways with a rain soaked comeback at Plough Lane, beating Rotherham 2–1 thanks to goals from Jake Reeves© and Matty Stevens. It was wet, it was scrappy at times, but it was winning football.
The team:
Also involved: Callum Sepcock, Antwoine Hackford, Riley Harbottle, Danilo Orsi
Notable absences: Joe Lewis (suspended for 1 game), Marcus Browne (suspended for 3),
Where’s McCoy-Splatt?: Officially he was on the bench. Unofficially, no one’s sure. Some said he was trapped behind an invisible barrier on the touchline, arms windmilling. Others swore he dissolved into the drizzle the moment Jackson pointed at him. One theory is that McCoy-Splatt now exists in a parallel timeline where it’s always the 89th minute and he’s always “about to come on.”
The match:
Rotherham nicked the opener late in the first half, Hugill pouncing after a scrappy clearance. The Dons trudged in at the break one down, perhaps wondering if the advertised “South African Kitchen” might appear at half-time to lift spirits. It didn’t.
Five minutes after the restart, captain Reeves lashed in a gorgeous equaliser from the edge of the box, timing his run onto Bugiel’s knock-down like he’d been waiting all summer for that moment. The heavens opened further, and with them the game.
Wimbledon surged forward. Seddon’s corners caused problems and Bugiel battered his way into spaces defenders didn’t know existed. Finally, Stevens was attacked in the box sent flying superman style (with Bugiel also rugby-tackled for good measure). Matty picked himself up, thundered the penalty high into the net, and Plough Lane roared.
Rotherham huffed, puffed, and launched subs into the drizzle, but Bishop stood firm and The Dons saw out stoppage time with little fuss.
What the fans are saying:
“Proper captain’s goal from Reeves©”
“Why was the DTB kiosk closed, have they given up?”
“Can confirm: no sign of South African kitchen. False advertising.”
“Rain was biblical. Suits us fine.”
Womble of the Week: Jake Reeves©
When a captain scores the equaliser, rallies the team, and then runs the 2nd half from midfield in a thunderstorm, there’s not much debate. Reeves’ strike changed the momentum, his passing drove the team forward, and his leadership pulled the whole performance up a level. Even the rain seemed to follow his instructions.
Sam Hammam returns (sort of):
Whispers circulated that former Wimbledon villain (sorry - owner) Sam Hammam was in the vicinity. Security confirmed he tried to enter, but was politely told this isn’t Selhurst Park and he should leave for his own safety. He wandered off into the sun (or the rain) muttering about “glorious days” and “Lebanese catering options.” The South African kitchen stall that never materialised may have been his decoy.
Closing thoughts:
A first league win in three attempts and a reminder that Plough Lane can still be a fortress even in League One. An overall feeling that well be just fine this season. 4 wins, 4 loses, 10 goals both for and against. We couldn’t be any more mid table if we tried.
WombleWorld
Rumour has it Terry Skiverton was last seen drying out his socks on the floodlights. We advise he stops before they trip the grid again.