AFC Wimbledon suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on Saturday evening. The result extends their winless run in League One to four matches and leaves them 15th in the table with 12 points from 10 games, having recorded three wins and three draws from their opening ten fixtures. Their recent form over the last five games stands at zero wins, three draws and two losses, and they have now lost their last two matches.
Johnnie Jackson's side were competitive for 38 minutes before the game unravelled. Barry Bannan broke the deadlock for the hosts, with Davis Keillor-Dunn adding a second goal a minute later. Harry Gray made it three just before half-time, capitalising on a cross from Jamal Lowe. Callum Slattery scored a fourth in the 56th minute, assisted by Reece James, before Keillor-Dunn completed his hat-trick late on.
Wimbledon failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match. Myles Hippolyte had efforts off target either side of half-time, while Josef Bursik played in goal behind a defence that included Andy Yiadom, Yan Valery and Aron Sasu. The Dons have now conceded 15 goals this season, the fourth-highest total in the division, and have scored only seven, giving them a goal difference of minus eight.
Manager's apology
After the final whistle, Jackson offered a frank assessment. "We got what they deserved, which is is nothing," the manager said. He told reporters he felt embarrassed by the performance and that it did not reflect the club's values, apologising directly to the travelling supporters. Jackson, now in his fifth season in charge, accepted full responsibility for the result.
The defeat follows a 2-1 loss at Plymouth, where Jayden Stockley scored Wimbledon's goal, and consecutive goalless draws against Barnet and Cambridge United. Top scorer Jayden Stockley, who has four goals this term, was unable to add to his tally. The team must now regroup quickly ahead of their next fixture, a home game against 13th-placed Mansfield Town on Tuesday 20 October. They currently sit eight points behind the league leaders, Bradford. Referee Emily Heaslip officiated in front of a crowd of 30,477.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Röhl praised his team's intensity and the impact of his substitutes. The win moves Wednesday up to 10th in the League One table.
The report in full is at The Star
