Wimbledon Gifted Win By Shrews Keeper

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Wimbledon 3 v Shrewsbury 1

Wimbledon were gifted a win in their final game of the season as they beat already-promoted Shrewsbury 3-1 at Kingsmeadow on Saturday (5 May).

The game was meandering to a tame, end-of-season conclusion when Shrews goalkeeper Chris Neal made a hash of gathering an innocuous Billy Knott cross, dropping the ball onto the feet of the lurking Byron Harrison who made no mistake from close range to put the Dons 1-0 up.

And that sparked confidence into the Dons who had, until then, again struggled to implement manager Terry Brown's infamous diamond midfield formation.

Within minutes they were 2-0 up. Jack Midson latched onto the end of a deep ball into the box and unselflishly set up Luke Moore, lurking on the penalty spot, who had time to control before firing home.

Almost immediately, Shrewsbury went up the other end and pulled a goal back. The Dons struggled to clear a left-wing free-kick and eventually Shane Cansdell-Sherriff shot home past the diving Seb Brown.

But the Dons restored their comfort zone almost immediately, Luke Moore latching onto Billy Knott's perfectly weighted through ball for a one-on-one with Neal that the former Ebbsfleet man won to make it 3-1.

Brown had to be alert to tip over a James Collins header in spectacular fashion, and Midson could have made it four for the Dons when he saw Neal block his effort when clean through.

It was all a marked contrast from the first half, when Brown had had to be alert to pull off a number of impressive blocks to deny Shrewsbury attackers after his fellow defenders had gone AWOL.

But even then the Dons had had a couple of chances, with Midson seeing two efforts palmed away by Neal.

This win rounds off what was ultimately a successful season for the Dons, who achieved their Football League survival with a bit of breathing space. But questions remain about some of manager Terry Brown's tactical decisions at the higher level, and no doubt it will be a summer of comings and goings at Kingsmeadow as he seeks to reshuffle his pack.

Attendance: 3,678

Wimbledon: Brown, Franks (Hatton 85), Bush, S. Moore, B. Johnson, Stuart, Yussuff (H. Johnson 81), Jones (Knott 28), Midson, Harrison, L. Moore. Subs not used: Jolley, Kiernan.

Goalscorers: Harrison 47, L. Moore 55, 61.

Shrewsbury: Neal, Grandison, Jacobson, Sharps, Cansdell-Sherriff, Wright, Wroe (McAllister 80), Collins, Richards, Wildig (Taylor 56), Gornell (Morgan 56). Subs not used: Smith, Goldson.

Goalscorer: Cansdell-Sherriff 58.

By Rob Crane

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May 7, 2012