Doncaster Rovers 1–2 AFC Wimbledon
On a sodden South Yorkshire afternoon, Wimbledon dug deep, came from behind, and left the Eco-Power with all three points. A thumping Johnson header and Hippolyte’s cool finish turned it around, sealing our first win there since 2021.
The team:
Also involved: Danilo Orsi
Notable absences:
Hackford: doing a speed awareness course - he went sprinting down the road after training and set off a speed camera.
Marcus Browne: still serving his ban, practicing penalty shootouts in the mirror.
McCoy-Splatt: present, technically. But according to several eyewitnesses, he spent the entire match warming up and giving JJ puppy dog eyes to no avail. Forever “about to come on.”
The match:
The Dons started brightly. Within two minutes, Smith and Hippolyte had efforts, and Asiimwe tormented his full-back like he had rented the right flank for the day. Doncaster offered little early on, aside from Sterry belting one into the clouds.
The second half began with Wimbledon sharper still. Stevens nearly converted a Seddon cross, but inevitably, football being football, Donny scored first. Bailey rose at a corner and nodded them ahead.
It stung, but sparked us into life. Reeves © whipped in a beauty, Johnson thundered home from close range, and limbs were officially declared. Then Doncaster passed the ball straight to Stevens, who found Hippolyte. A touch, a swivel, and a glorious finish into the corner.
Doncaster huffed, puffed, but could not break our defence down. Six minutes added time passed without drama, and JJ’s side claimed back-to-back comebacks.
What the fans are saying:
“Never in doubt. Well, apart from the 53rd minute.”
“A JJ tactical masterclass”
Meanwhile on WUP the moderators were too busy telling each other that they weren’t resigning to remember we had a game on.
Womble of the Week: Jake Reeves ©
The skipper didn’t just keep the midfield ticking, he changed the game for the second week running. His delivery for Johnson’s equaliser was perfect, the kind of cross that screams “head me or else.” Beyond that, Reeves © marshalled, pressed, and calmed everything around him.
In a scrappy away game, leadership mattered, and once again it was Reeves © providing it. Goals win games, but captains drag you back into them.
Closing thoughts:
Another comeback, another three points, and another reminder that this side has a bit of steel. From 1–0 down away to Donny to 2–1 winners is no small thing. Johnson’s goal broke a year-long drought, Hippolyte showed composure, and Reeves © did the heavy lifting in between.
League One survival is a grind, but performances like this suggest we’re more than passengers as we moved into the top half of the table. Meanwhile, the Dons Trust Board will no doubt debate whether this comeback counts as “football fortune”.
WombleWorld
Ashley Bayes is currently leading a meditation circle for goalkeepers in a disused service station on the A3. Candles optional, gloves encouraged, enlightenment guaranteed.