Morecambe 3-4 AFC Wimbledon
Sky Bet League One
The Mazuma Stadium
Saturday 11 September 2021
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Attendance: 3,713 (230 away)
A seven-goal thriller at the Mazuma Stadium sees AFC Wimbledon secure three points, despite a stunning second-half performance from the Shrimps.
Two goals from Cole Stockton either side of a lovely gliding header from Shane McLoughlin saw Stephen Robinson’s side score three.
But goals from Anthony Hartigan, Ethan Chislett, Will Nightingale and Ayoub Assal handed the travelling side the win on a drizzly afternoon.
The first chance of the game came in the fifth minute and in-turn put the visitors ahead.
After Anthony O’Connor brought down Dapo Mebude on the angle, a resulting free-kick from Hartigan was fired home - hitting the crossbar and the post before ending up in the back of Jokull Andresson’s net.
10 minutes later, the hosts fashioned a chance of their own.
Arthur Gnahoua picked up a stray pass from Mark Robinson’s side and carried the ball into the box, however the winger’s effort was well saved by Nikola Tzanev in the Dons’ goal.
Moments later, the visitors should have doubled their lead.
A drilled cross into the box found Assal at the near post, but the number 10 could not find the back of the goal from three-yards out.
With the minutes ticking down and half- time looming, Henry Lawrence took aim from 25-yards out, but his effort thankfully went wide.
On the 44th minute, Wimbledon were in again, however a fantastic save from Andresson kept out Mebude.
Half-time: Morecambe 0-1 AFC Wimbledon
Robinson made a change at the break which saw Wes McDonald enter the action in place of defender Liam Gibson.
That change inspired a phenomenal comeback.
Firstly, it was that man McDonald who produced a bit off brilliance to fire the ball into McLoughlin, the midfielder set Stockton on his way and the League One Player of the Month for August did the rest.
On the 55th minute, the hosts were ahead - a delightful cross from Gnahoua found the head of the advancing McLoughlin who guided his header into the bottom corner of Tzanev’s goal.
But their jubilation was cut short five minutes later, after some good play down the left, a ball to the edge of the area was picked up by Chislett - who fired home in-front of the 230 travelling away fans.
The scoring was not done there however, a stunning goal from Stockton gave the Shrimps the lead once again.
The striker received the ball 35-yards from goal and proceeded to let fly, catching Tzanev off-guard and hitting the underside of the crossbar to send the Mazuma into wild celebrations.
Minutes later, the game was level again.
A free-kick from Chislett was swung into the box where Nightingale was placed to head past the helpless Andresson.
McDonald wasn’t just helping out going forward, but the winger made a crucial tackle eight minutes from time to keep the scores level, denying Assal after a tricky run into the Shrimps box.
A winner did come however and it came for AFC Wimbledon, a last minute corner was swung into the box with the ball eventually falling to Assal on the edge of the box - who fired home a half-volley via the crossbar.
Full-time: Morecambe 3-4 AFC Wimbledon
We are back at home again on Tuesday night as we face Everton U21 in game one of our Papa John’s Trophy campaign.
Morecambe: Andresson, Leigh, O’Connor (C), Diagouraga, Stockton, Wildig (McCalmont 76’), Delaney, McLoughlin, Cooney, Gibson (McDonald 45’), Gnahoua.
Subs not used: Letheren, Jones, McPake, Price, Wootton.
Goals: Stockton 49’, 65, McLoughlin 55’
Bookings: Leigh 73’, Delaney 88’
Red Cards: None
AFC Wimbledon: Tzanev, Lawrence, Woodyard (C), Nightingale, Hartingan, Palmer (Pressley 81’), Assal, Chislett (Marsh 81’), Mebude (Guinness-Walker 75’), Heneghan.
Subs not used: Oualah, McCormick, Kalambayi, Charles.
Goals: Hartigan 5’, Chislett 61, Nightingale 72’, Assal 90’
Bookings: Mebude 25’, Lawrence 35’, Chislett 67’
Red Cards: None