AFC Wimbledon edge past Sutton United in stoppage-time thriller
AFC Wimbledon claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory at Sutton United on Saturday, with two late substitute strikes sealing the points. Zack Nelson and Myles Hippolyte converted penalties in the 87th and 89th minutes to turn the game on its head after Sutton had taken the lead.
What happened in the match?
The game began at a frantic pace, with Sutton’s Sam Folarin blazing an early effort over the bar after just two minutes. But it was Wimbledon who settled first, with Marcus Browne forcing a smart save from Chris Haigh after a neat move involving James Tilley. The Dons then had the first penalty of the game when Jermaine Francis was penalised for a foul on Harry Hedges, but Klevis Muca guessed the right way to deny Marcus Browne’s spot-kick - his second penalty save in as many games.
Sutton broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when a delightful ball from Charlie Bell found Temi Babalola, who powered a looping header past Joe McDonnell. But the visitors refused to lie down, and the game swung their way in stoppage time.
How did the late drama unfold?
With time running out, Zack Nelson pounced on a loose ball inside the box to fire home and level the scores. Then, two minutes from time, Adam Reeves was penalised for a shirt pull in the box. Myles Hippolyte stepped up with ice in his veins to convert the penalty, sending Haigh the wrong way and sparking wild celebrations from the Wimbledon bench.
Despite the loss, Sutton can take pride in a performance that matched a League One side against Championship opposition for most of the game. Their next pre-season friendly at home to Walton & Hersham on Tuesday will be a chance to build on the showing.
What does this mean for AFC Wimbledon?
The win is a confidence boost for Mark Robinson’s side ahead of the new campaign. The Dons showed resilience and quality, particularly in the final 20 minutes, where their League One pedigree shone through. The late turnaround suggests depth in the squad, with substitutes Nelson and Hippolyte making decisive impacts.
Chris Agutter made three changes from the midweek win over Tonbridge Angels, with Besart Topallaj returning after suspension and Sam Folarin, Omar Mussa and Dan Urpens coming in. Noah Nzuzi slotted into midfield, while Alex Kirk was replaced late on by trialist B.
What’s next for both sides?
Sutton United will regroup ahead of their next outing, while Wimbledon’s focus turns to Tuesday’s friendly against Walton & Hersham. The Dons will hope to carry this momentum into their League One opener, with the squad showing they can mix it with sides from higher divisions.
