AFC Wimbledon shot down by the wizardry of Oz – former Dulwich Hamlet playmaker nets twice

AFC WIMBLEDON 1 Taylor 36

WALSALL 2 Oztumer 15 Bakayoko 31

BY LAURENCE LOWNE AT THE CHERRY RED RECORDS STADIUM

Former Dulwich Hamlet midfielder Erhun Oztumer proved it is skill – not size – that wins matches as AFC Wimbledon paid the price for early missed chances.

The Dons started brightly but quickly went downhill very quickly.

Good chances were spurned and a lack of pace was a killer against a big Walsall side. Oztumer, dubbed the Midlands Messi, was easily their most diminutive player but once again showed his talent.

He scored a scorching free-kick last season and a very rare error by keeper George Long on Saturday gifted him the ball 30 yards out. He advanced a few yards and used his trusty left foot to put Walsall 1-0 up after 15 minutes.

It was 2-0 to the visitors after 31 minutes. Meades was beaten down the left by Zeli Ismail and his low cross was forced home by Amadou Bakayoko, despite the presence of Deji Oshilaja and Darius Charles.

Wimbledon became more dominant when the sun dipped below the Chemflow Stand – with it seeming to affect their game as they attacked facing towards it. It may well play a pivotal role in Sunday’s FA Cup game against Charlton – especially with a 2pm kick-off.

The Dons’ goal was a well-worked move involving Andy Barcham cutting in from the left. He supplied a perfect pass into Cody McDonald, who cut the ball across for Lyle Taylor to stroke the ball into the goal from six yards out.

It was as if an attacking switch had been turned on by the home side as they produced plenty of crosses. Another mazy dribble by Barcham ended with Harry Forrester’s lovely chip glancing off the post.

Wimbledon kept possession superbly well in the second half – crosses came in from all angles and Walsall defenders were left sprawling. Shots rained in but only one was on target and blocked by a defender.

Taylor found Barry Fuller in the six-yard box but the full-back could not keep his shot down. If only the chance had been reversed.

Forrester was withdrawn 16 minutes from time along with Charles – the duo replaced by George Francomb and Tom Soares. Not another chance of note was created by the Dons as they went back to plodding.

Barcham came off in the 86th minute – clearly against his wishes. You could see his disappointment.

Taylor was named man of the match but Barcham was probably the more effective. McDonald and Forrester sparkled, while the inclusion of Anthony Hartigan, 17, gave Liam Trotter the opportunity to shine.

Pictures by Paul Edwards.