AFC Wimbledon Suffers Pre-Season Friendly Loss
AFC Wimbledon's young XI fell to a 3-0 loss to Billericay Town in a pre-season friendly match at New Lodge. The Dons struggled to create chances, while Billericay's Charlie Ruff and Frankie Merrifield led the scoring.
What Happened?
The match began with Billericay making a bright start, with Charlie Ruff firing over from the edge of the area inside the opening minute. Elliot Long gave his side the lead after seven minutes, latching onto Frankie Merrifield's flick-on before delicately looping the ball over the advancing Dons goalkeeper and into the net.
Why It Matters for AFC Wimbledon
The loss to Billericay Town is a setback for AFC Wimbledon, who are currently 24th in League One with 0 points and 0 goals scored and conceded. The Dons will look to bounce back in their next fixture, a match against Mansfield Town on January 19, 2027.
What Comes Next?
AFC Wimbledon will look to regroup and refocus ahead of their next match. The Dons will need to improve their performance and create more chances if they are to succeed in the upcoming season.
As the match progressed, Billericay continued to create chances, with Louis Lomas heading over and Merrifield being denied from close range. Ruff struck the crossbar with a curling effort that had the goalkeeper beaten. Wimbledon offered little going forward during the opening period, although a swift counter-attack forced Joe Wright into a smart save from close range.
The second half began with action at both ends, with Long going close to doubling his tally before the visitors broke away and again tested Wright, who produced another sharp low stop. Billericay did extend their advantage on 56 minutes when Jon Benton's corner was flicked on by Ollie Parsons into the path of Merrifield, who turned home from point-blank range.
Merrifield almost grabbed his second moments later, reacting quickest to a rebound but striking the post with the goal at his mercy. Billericay gradually rotated their entire side during the second half, introducing several players from the reserve team, with neither side able to create any clear-cut chances. However, the hosts rounded off the scoring in stoppage time when Macauley Bonne capitalised on a loose touch from the Wimbledon goalkeeper well outside the penalty area before calmly rolling the ball into the empty net.
The victory was Billericay's first of pre-season ahead of tonight's trip to Dartford. AFC Wimbledon will look to bounce back in their next match, a match against Mansfield Town on January 19, 2027, where they will be looking to improve their performance and create more chances.
