Downes in fans clash
POLICE stepped in after Wimbledon players piled off their team coach to help Wally Downes after the Crazy Gang boss was chased to his car by yobs.
In an astonishing bust-up following his side’s defeat against the franchise who stole the Real Dons’ identity, Downes’ disappointment at the result was compounded by a post-match flashpoint.
The commotion happened when Downes left stadium:mk independently to drive home to west London and was spotted by MK Dons supporters loitering near the main entrance.
When a group of them pursued Downes (below) towards the car park, eye witnesses said he turned to remonstrate with them.
And when around a dozen AFC Wimbledon players, waiting to leave after a 2-1 defeat, saw what was happening, they rushed from the team bus to support their gaffer before police moved in quickly to separate the factions. No punches were thrown, and there is no suggestion Downes or his players behaved improperly.
By the time Wimbledon’s team coach pulled away, serenaded by choice insults, there was a heavy police presence – including at least one mounted officer on horseback – at the main entrance. Thames Valley Police issued a statement saying: “No one was injured and no arrests were made. The incident was resolved safely and a dispersal order was used to remove the likelihood of disorder.”
Downes later declined to comment on the incident. He was more wounded by a dismal first-half display which left his woeful Wombles without a win in nine games this season.
The Wimbledon boss had earlier slammed his “passive” centre backs after Downes’ dunces were undone by rookie Sam Nombe. The 20-year-old MK Dons kid spent last season on loan at non-league Maidenhead and Oxford City – but when the wicked franchise rattled their collection tin, the Real Dons gave generously.
Downes raged: “All week our centre halves were snapping at people’s heels in training, but for both goals they were not strong enough to put into practice what we had been working on. They are big, strong lads and we should have been putting them under pressure.”
Livewire Nombe, on his first league start, collected man of the match Rhys Healey’s pass to fire MK Dons ahead – off both posts – after 10 minutes.
And then Healey, afforded generous room, turned to drill a low 20-yard shot beyond Joe McDonnell 16 minutes later.
Sub Marcus Forss, on loan from Brentford, gave Wimbledon hope by heading in Callum Reilly’s cross on 83 minutes.