DECEMBER
The crucial month, so many games that can change the season for the better or worse. We were playing Chelsea twice, first in the Carling Cup, and Liverpool at the end of the month so this month will be a good test for the team. Here are the matches...
NEWCASTLE 1 - 1 AFC WIMBLEDON- CARROLL
A good game in which neither team deserved to win we went one down early on as a mistake at the back allowed Leigh Anderson to score. It was end to end game from then on in with both keepers pulling of good saves and both sets of strikers missing chances. We did not pull level until 78 minutes had passed and Zeman crossed to edge of the box and Carroll was able to volley home against is former team. It stayed level and we took a well earned point
CHELSEA 3 - 1 AFC WIMBLEDON- CARROLL
This was always going to be a tough game and we found out very early on as Ruben de la Red put the home team ahead on ten minutes. That being said we were able to get our foot on the ball and passed the ball around with purpose and we got our reward as a great team move was finished off with a powerful finish from Carroll. We stayed level until 3 minutes before half time, as Jankovic scored from an inswinging corner. The second half was a one-sided affair as we were unable to get into the game and Chelsea fininshed the game off in the 80th minute after a great strike by Andy Dunn. An alrite perfromance but showed that the Arsenal result may have been a flash in the pan.
SHEFF UTD 0 - 2 AFC WIMBLEDON- CARROLL (2)
A game we controlled from start to finish and one that we were never oin danger of losing. This game just went to show why investment in the team is vital if you wish to stay up, as we have spent 16 miilion, with more to be spent in January, compared to the 3.5 million spent by Sheff Utd. Both goals came in the first half on 17 minutes and 21 minutes respectivley. The first a free-kick on the edge of the box dispatched into the goal by Carroll, surprisingly as he is not meant to take them but he showed us all I suppose. And the second a real old fashioned goal as Campoli hoofed the ball clear and Carroll was able to latch onto the ball and smash it home.
AFC WIMBLEDON 2 - 2 SUNDERLAND- TREACY, ZEMAN
Another tough game, they are coming thick and fast as we gave the squad a chance to show its depth. All four goals came in an astonishing 11 minutes of football just before half-time. First Treacy was able to get on to Salvador's cross and direct the ball home on 34 minutes. We were pegged back alomost immediatley when Gareth Barry scored a free-kick from the edge of the box on 37 minutes. Two minutes after this Zeman was able to get onto a rebounded shot by Carroll and give us the lead once again. This was not the end of the scoring in the half as just on half-time a scramble in the box form a corner was turned in by Salami, leveling the score once again. The second half was a dull affiar as the only moment of note was a penalty claim from Buononatte which was turned down.
LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 AFC WIMBLEDON
We deserved alot more from this match as the stats will tell you we had more shots, more coreners and more possesion than the home team, which is of course an achievement in itselfs. To further highlight our dominance in the game Jose Reina was awarded the Man Of the Match. We fell behind at a cruical time once again two minutes before the break as Glen danced through our defence and put Liverpool ahead. We should and could have had an equaliser but it didn't come and as we pushed forward Liverpool added a second in 94th minute thanks to Yaya Toures cool finish.
CHELSEA 4 - 2 AFC WIMBLEDON- ZEMAN (2)
Another game at the bridge and another master class by Chelsea. We were never really in the game although the scoreline might say different we once again, and it is getting infuriating, conceded in first half injury time after a mistake by Gbemie, Alexis Sanchez put the ball in the net. Then just 45 seconds after the restart we were 2-0 down, this time from Joe Coles work on the left before smashing home. These are crucial times to concede goals and demoralsing as a manager as it throws the game plan out the window and kills off the game to a degree. We fell further behind 0n 57 minutes as Sanchez dribbled thorough the defence for his second goal. Zeman did manage to grab a goal with a good finish past Cech on 67 minutes but that was just a break form the Chelsea onslaught. They did not add their fourth until the 82nd minute as Sanchez completed his hat-trick. We made the scoreline abit more flattering as Zeman scored another placed finish.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH- ANDY CARROLL - The striker really came to the front this month as he went on a run of 4 goals in the 3 games and some good all round performances got the team to where there are today.
THE LEAGUE TABLE AFTER DECEMBER
