Four takeaways from AFC Wimbledon’s 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday – subs change game to spark comeback

A second-half comeback from AFC Wimbledon, with goals from Nesta Guinness-Walker and Jack Rudoni, earned Mark Robinson’s side a point to cancel out a double from ex-Millwall striker Lee Gregory.

Mark Robinson made four changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Burton last time out before the international break, with Paul Kalambayi, Guinness-Walker, Ethan Chislett and Dapo Mebude replacing Will Nightingale, Henry Lawrence, Luke McCormick and Aaron Pressley.

Here are Edmund Brack’s four takeaways from Plough Lane:

FINISHERS CHANGE THE GAME FOR THE DONS AND SPARK COMEBACK

Apart from a flurry of chances in the first 10 minutes, Wimbledon lacked a cutting edge to take the game to Darren Moore’s side – they looked powerless without a recognised centre-forward.

With no fit striker available to start the game, due to Aaron Pressley nursing a slight tear in his quad, Jack Rudoni began as the focal point in Robinson’s attack, and Ayoub Assal and Dapo Mebude supplied support to the 20-year-old in the wide flanks. However, Rudoni struggled, suffocated by the imperious Dom Iorfa and Chey Dunkley any time he received the ball with his back to goal.

The introduction of Pressley and McCormick, which allowed Rudoni to move out to the left, changed the game. Pressley battled against the Wednesday defence, and McCormick’s passing range unlocked Assal and Rudoni down the wings.

Wimbledon are beginning to rediscover their fighting spirit from the beginning of the season, and having firepower off the bench will allow the Dons to always remain in games.

McCORMICK DEVELOPING INTO A RELIABLE OUTLET

After scoring the equaliser last time out against Burton, McCormick continues to grow game by game into a consistent outlet for  Robinson.

Although he couldn’t start the match after suffering from an illness in midweek, his energy levels instantly brought a spark to Plough Lane.

McCormick drove down the right-hand side from a Cheye Alexander pass and played an intricate ball between the Wednesday defence to find Pressley. And despite Pressley’s shot being saved by Wildsmith, Guinness-Walker drove home the goal to halve the deficit.

McCormick’s next involvement was breathtaking. With time ticking down and the Dons’ chance of finding an equaliser fading, McCormick from just inside the Wednesday half, played a searching ball with pinpoint accuracy that fell at the feet of Rudoni to fire home the equaliser.

The 22-year-old has experienced a slow start to life at Wimbledon, but he’s now showing why the club was so eager to make him their first signing of the summer.

 

DONS MUST TIE DOWN HARTIGAN

The central heartbeat of the whole side, Anthony Hartigan sets the tempo of the Dons’ attacking tune and breaks up the play in the centre of the pitch to regain possession.

If Wimbledon were going to score in the first half, the likeliest avenue looked to be coming from Hartigan’s wand of a right foot. He rendered the Wednesday defence motionless from two free-kicks, one shaving past the bar and another finding the head of Paul Kalambayi.

In the first 45, Hartigan had the most touches and passes of any Wimbledon player, and he regained possession twice in the centre of the pitch.

With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Wimbledon can signal their ambition by getting one of their standout stars of the campaign to commit to the long-term plan.

CHANCE FOR KALAMBAYI TO BECOME A REGULAR STARTER

Paul Kalambayi, who has just returned from injury himself, has the chance to make himself Ben Heneghan’s regular partner at the back with Will Nightingale ruled out for up to four months,

Despite the Dons’ inability to secure their first clean sheet in League One this season, Kalambayi made the most clearances (three) and the most interceptions (three) of any Wimbledon player.

The 22-year-old will be hoping to impose himself on the starting line-up and show why he deserves to be the man Robinson should call upon heading into the gruelling fixture congestion of League One.