ARD REIGN IS GONNA FALL
Pompey push failing Dons boss closer to the edge
TOM NAYLOR and Gareth Evans got the goals to keep Portsmouth top of the table – as Kenny Jackett’s side ramped up the heat on Wimbledon’s Neil Ardley.
Ardley’s Dons have managed just three league wins in 13 – this defeat made it four on the spin.
Wimbledon’s players are seriously off-colour at the moment and especially Joe Piggott, who didn’t emerge for the second half after vomiting during the break.
Piggott was one of three changes Ardley made at the interval following a first-half performance that left the manager fuming.
Tennai Watson and Andy Barcham were taken off as well, with the home side two down.
Joe Hanson pulled one back but it was too little, too late for the struggling south Londoners.
Ardley said: “I considered making changes on the halfhour but I am glad I didn’t as one got injured and another was as sick as a dog at halftime.
“I made changes which meant Joe Pigott stayed on the pitch and I came out on the pitch ready to start the second half. Then I got to the call to say Joe was being sick in the toilet.
“I rarely make three changes but desperate times call for desperate measures, we were comprehensively outplayed and nowhere near good enough in the first half.
“The second half, the whole team played with more energy and tempo and how a Wimbledon side should do.
“I am a Wimbledon boy. I know what these fans want, that’s why I am hurting so much but we are going to have to do better. I need to make changes quickly or changes will be made.”
Naylor and Evans both forced good saves from Joe Mcdonnell early on but when Naylor met Dion Donohue’s corner with a firm header the Wimbledon keeper couldn’t deny him.
The visitors deserved the lead and doubled their advantage when Evans slotted home from Lee Brown’s low cross.
Pompey’s players were kept waiting for five minutes at the start of the second half as Wimbledon sorted themselves out. And after the break the Dons were a different team. Hanson drilled home a cracking effort to give them some hope but the visitors, without freescoring Ronan Curtis, on Republic of Ireland duty, held on to keep their place at the top.
Jackett said: “For an hour we were very good and deserved our lead, and even in the first 15 minutes of the second half we had further chances.
“Goals change games and Hanson has got a great strike. It was a mistake by ourselves but he has taken it very well.
“I’m pleased with the players, though, in the last half an hour, we found a way of seeing it through.”
Pompey have taken an impressive 19 out of 21 points away from home.
Jackett added: “It’s an outstanding away record this season and we have to be pleased with today but make sure we look forward now, because we want to crack it at home.”
I’m a Wimbledon boy and I know what the fans want. That’s why I’m hurting