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AFC Wimbledon suffered a third pre-season defeat on the spin, going down 2-0 to Conference National?s Grays Athletic. Goals from Aaron McLean and Lee Boylan made the difference in a tight match that dished up few chances to either side.
Jon Turner deputized for Dave Anderson once again and set the Dons up 3-5-2. Captain Steve Butler replaced Wayne Finnie and Robert Ursell took a central midfield role in the absence of Scott Curley. Darren Grieves would partner Roscoe D?Sane, but once again the pre-season injury hoodoo struck and the former East Thurrock man was replaced by Paul Barnes on 39 minutes.
In the meantime, Grays had scored their opener. Aaron McLean was able to take advantage of some clumsy defending, finishing off a move that had swept from right to left and pushed the Dons back onto their six yard line. When Glen Poole?s cross came in everyone was drawn to the ball. Ashley Nicholl?s won the header and it broke to McLean who was never going to miss from seven yards.
Up to that point the Blues had been given very little space in which to operate. Steve Wales and Michael Haswell appeared to have a more defensive brief with Wes Daly and Luke Garrard providing a solid base in midfield. Some neat passing and one or two moments of Ursell magic had given the Kingsmeadow crowd reason to believe that there could be something in this game for the home side, but it was inevitable that nullifying Grays would take something away from the Dons attacking capacity.
The goal, however, was a shot in the arm for the Essex side and they pushed on looking for a second. It came a quarter of an hour later. Another lapse in concentration gave Boylan his opportunity to extend the lead and, even though the former Canvey striker had been kept pretty quiet, he didn?t need asking twice - bundling home to give the Essex side some breathing space.
Moments later Grays hit the post and the Dons seemed to be rocking on their heels. Half-time couldn?t come soon enough and JT must have been glad to get the lads in for a chat.
Whatever was said at the break seemed to rally the Wombles. They found their shape again and limited Grays to a couple of half chances, while down the other end Paul Barnes and Roscoe D?Sane were making life uncomfortable for the Blues? defence. Indeed Barnes had the best opportunity of the second period when he found himself one on one with the keeper but failed to convert.
All in all it was a solid Wimbledon performance and the squad should take heart that they made a game of it. But Grays? full-time quality eventually shone through. They may only be a couple of divisions higher but the Conference side gave a brutal demonstration of how just a couple of lapses in concentration are enough to punish their opponents.
