Moore to consider the kids after loss
RONNIE Moore admitted he could have no complaints as Hartlepool suffered a third straight loss, this time going down at AFC Wimbledon.
First-half goals from Callum Kennedy and Lyle Taylor proved enough as the home side racked up a third straight win.
As for Hartlepool, manager Moore insisted their poor run didn’t deserve to come to an end at Kingsmeadow.
“It was a frustrating start and there’s nothing in the game, then once the goal goes in we look like we are going to go down,” Moore said.
“We are defending deep, but never passed it, never looked like we are going to score and the hold-up play wasn’t good enough.
“We tended to go too deep, strikers gave the ball away too easily and we were under the cosh in the first half. There were too many disappointing players out there, we have to do something about it.We say about bringing kids in, but at least you might get energy.
“Every set-play they are sending the big lads up and it’s asking for trouble.”
After a fast start from the home side, Kennedy’s free-kick eluded everyone in the box to give the Dons the lead on 18 minutes – his first ever AFC Wimbledon goal.
Trevor Carson then pulled off a brilliant fingertip save to deny George Francomb, who had cut in from the right.
But Taylor doubled the home side’s lead with his fourth goal in three games, firing a half volley in off the post.
Carson brilliantly denied Ade Azeez and Taylor from close range after the break. Then the Dons were awarded a penalty with 15 minutes left when Kudus Oyenuga brought down Taylor.
But Taylor’s penalty crashed against the post and straight at Dannie Bulman, whose shot on the rebound drew an excellent reaction save from Carson. Adebayo Akinfenwa had a header ruled out for offside from the resulting corner.
Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley said: “I think we’ve got some of the best players in the league and at the moment the cohesion in the team, the work rate for each other, knowing each other’s strengths is superb.
“In the past, perhaps at times we haven’t taken our chances but here we scored two good goals and the boys are in a good moment, we’ve just got to keep it going.
“I thought the disallowed goal was harsh. It sums up what happens with Bayo, he’s the strongest player in the league and he gets pulled up for being the strongest player in the league. It’s like stopping a quick player running in behind, pulling him up and giving a free-kick every time he outpaces someone.”