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AFTER undoubtedly the most testing week in the club?s recent history, the makeshift Dons did their bit to lift spirits by disposing comfortably of Harrow as Stephen Goddard continued his sizzling start to 2007.
With FA Trophy elimination as well as possible Ryman League sanctions still hanging over Wimbledon heads this was just the response the near 2,500 crowd craved.
Entertaining, free-flowing football added to by some fine finishing by the under-strength Dons was just what was needed ? the supporters got just that despite the temptation to let minds wander to what lies ahead.
And although an early slip up allowed the visitors in after four minutes, nobody left disappointed as the 18th point from the last nine games was secured in convincing fashion.
Had a bobble not caught out Paul Smith in a lively opening period it would have been plain sailing for Dave Anderson?s side.
Albert Adomah couldn?t miss after the rookie was caught out ? a similar start to the last Saturday home fixture when Walton struck first against the odds.
And like that match before the turn of the year, Wimbledon didn?t sulk about the visitors gaining an against the run of play opener.
Inside eight minutes Luke Garrard won a free-kick on the edge of the box and the midfielder sent out a clear signal as he took out his frustration with a venomous strike that gave Jimmy Kieran no hope.
But after the high soon came a low as popular powerhouse striker Darren Grieves was taken to hospital after an ugly challenge on the half-way line.
With no striker on the bench the reaction from the sidelines was to switch to a 4-4-2 formation ? and Grieves? replacement soon stole the show.
First, his trickery tormented and bamboozled defender Rickey Brown. Cooks? delightful ball to Goddard was perfect and the on-fire frontman did what he?s been doing so well for weeks to make it 2-1.
And within five minutes of the second half Harrow looked out of it as Goddard took his tally to five inside seven days as he calmly lobbed Kieran.
But it wasn?t over as substitute Jonathan Constant provided an inch-perfect cross for James Bent and his glancing header left Smith clutching at thin air.
But it was the impressive Cook that restored the two-goal cushion as his devilish free-kick almost immediately put the game beyond Harrow to return smiles to a few thousand faces.
40) (sub 84)