FIVE-STAR HYLTON HAS LAST LAUGH
Ardley incensed by early throw-in
SUCH was the lack of impact felt by his five months at the club, Danny Hylton was cruelly dubbed Travelodge and Premier Inn by some witty Wimbledon fans. Yesterday, he was the one who got a good night’s sleep, guaranteed.
The Oxford United hitman was simply five star and in the 90 minutes perhaps produced more than in his half-a-season at Kingsmeadow two years ago.
Silver service and then some, Hylton was hailed as magnificent by his manager Michael Appleton as the Us proved beyond doubt they have the stomach to cement a top-three place.
Against a Wimbledon side who had won seven of their last eight, they – according to Dons boss Neal Ardley – got an early leg up.
The fourth-minute throw which Hylton eventually tucked away was a foul according to the irate Wimbledon manager.
Ardley said: “We have had five or six really good chances, we went for the win. We have hit the target eight times and have really gone for it but I was very disappointed with the officials.
“First, it’s a foul on our keeper. He (Hylton) runs into the line of our goalie and it’s obstruction, then from the throw in – you will see on the video – the player’s leg is well up as he throws it. He got the length on the throw because of that. The ref and linesman started poorly and because of that we are 1-0 down. “It is disappointing when they can’t pick that up. It’s a foul throw. We started nervously but soon grew into the game, we got our goal and in the second half we had a right go at them.
“They have punished us for the one or two mistakes we have made.”
Hylton was the difference, recalled by Appleton after two games on the bench.
Not only scoring early – prodding in after the muchdiscussed long throw wasn’t cleared – but setting up the man on the bench this time, Jordan Bowery, for the second-half winner.
His attacking powers weren’t the only thing on display. Clearing off the line from Jon Meades in the second half, he even managed to control the midfield once moved back by his manager as Wimbledon threw everything forward.
The Dons recovered well after falling behind. Lyle Taylor went into overdrive and when the ball fell to Andy Barcham’s feet he thrashed it into the net for a justified 33rd minute equaliser.
Wimbledon, through Meades and then Paul Robinson from corners, came close but the sucker punch arrived when Jake Reeves was loose with a ball and home defender Ryan Sweeney lost his footing.
Hylton punished the errors, finding Bowery who drilled low and hard into Kelle Roos’ bottom corner just before the hour mark.
Sean Rigg hit the bar in the closing stages but Ardley’s side lacked the legs to mount a comeback.
Appleton said: “Danny was magnificent. We knew he would be a nuisance today, he’s at his best when he’s a nuisance and he is getting around people’s feet and annoying them. He did that brilliantly, he played really well and was by far the best player on the pitch.
“It was not a nice game of football, it wasn’t a game of football really – it was just about the three points which we have managed to take against a side who have won seven of their last eight games.
“We have rode our luck at times this season but I think no more than the opposition have!
“You can’t come to places like this against sides in form and not need a little break. When they hit the bar late on maybe we were being looked after a little.
“Wimbledon’s style which we had to cope with was difficult but one way or another we did it, but we want to move on really quickly now.”