1 min
AFC Wimbledon are now seven league games without a win after losing 3-0 to a Charlie Wyke inspired Sunderland at Plough Lane.
The visitors took the lead as early as the seventh minute as Wyke was on hand to bundle home Aiden O’Brien’s close range cut back.
Jack Rudoni and Ryan Longman both had first-half chances to equalise, but their efforts were comfortably saved by Lee Burge in the Black Cats goal.
The second-half saw the Dons come out brighter without being able to create anything of merit and Sunderland’s win was sealed by two late strikes.
First Wyke swept home Grant Leadbitter’s corner on 87 minutes before completing his hat-trick in stoppage time with a cute chip over Dons’ keeper Sam Walker after being played through by Josh Scowen.
The result leaves Wimbledon in the drop zone, 21st in the table and a point away from safety.
Key Points
Check out all the key talking points and reaction from London Football Scene below…
Key Moment
The Black Cats early goal gave Wimbledon a mountain to climb for the remainder of the game.
Moan of the Match
Joe Pigott struggled to make an impact with the forward reluctant to get into the box and kept quiet by Sunderland’s centre-backs throughout the game.
Talking Point
Today’s tale of two strikers expertly showed the importance of League One goal scorers with the Dons over-reliant on Joe Pigott. Can they find goals from other outlets to survive?
Man of the Match
Charlie Wyke – Sunderland’s main man was the difference today – three goals from three efforts proving why a clinical finisher is vital in this league.
Tweet of the Match
Referee Watch
Antony Coggins (Oxfordshire) – despite the moans of the home side, the official managed the game well with the Dons’ frustration most likely stemming from the score line.
Atmosphere
Frustration was king for the home side – when you’re down at the bottom, results hardly go your way.
Verdict
The score line may have flattered the away side but Wimbledon definitely have themselves to blame for a lack of creativity and a leaky back line. Problems that are all too familiar….
