PINNOCK TO THE RESCUE FOR ARDLEY
AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley was thankful his team got a slice of luck on Friday night during a classic encounter at Haringey Borough.
The two clubs were separated by 89 places before kick-off but, with a record crowd behind them, Tom Loizou’s non-league minnows gave everything to make it a tough evening for the Dons.
Eventually Mitchell Pinnock booked the League One club’s spot in the second round with a deflected shot in the 90th minute, handing the visitors a 1-0 win, which was harsh on the hosts and their goalkeeper Valery Pajetet.
Ardley said: “I asked the players to show character and the conditions were tough for both teams and Haringey were brilliant. They worked their socks off and tried to nullify all parts of our game.
“We didn’t move the ball quickly enough to cause them the problems we wanted to, but their goalkeeper has made some good saves in the second half.
“In the end, we’ve had loads of games this season where we haven’t had any luck and against Haringey we’ve had a stroke of luck, so maybe it does even itself out, but the main thing in the cup is we are through.”
Ahead of the match, live on BBC Two, Ardley admitted he may be sacked if the Dons lost.
Fortunately for him it didn’t happen, but for long periods it seemed a replay would be needed with the Bostik Premier club working tirelessly.
Wimbledon enjoyed the better of the first half, but with heavy rain falling and a strong wind taking over, the ball spent a lot of time in the air.
Pinnock always looked the most likely and he clipped the crossbar in the 36th minute with a free-kick, while Joe Pigott blasted over.
Borough had their moments, too, with Michael O’Donoghue firing over from a tight angle, but it was goalless at the break.
Pigott had another opportunity early into the restart, but headed wide and the hosts now started to believe with the crowd full of energy.
Dons attacker Pinnock almost silenced them with 67 minutes on the clock when his cross got caught up in the wind and landed on the crossbar. Then five minutes later the Haringey faithful were jumping for joy when Joe Staunton rifled home with aplomb, but the goal was ruled out for offside. More chances were created and on the stroke of the full-time whistle, Jake Jervis’ cross come to Pinnock and his shot deflected off David Olufemi to give Wimbledon the win, but Borough were winners before a ball was kicked. Manager Loizou added: “This was a dream for us and I hope we can have many more nights like this.”