Ardley savours first ever League Cup win for Dons

Posted Wednesday, August 15, 2018 by PA

Neal Ardley toasted a historic victory for AFC Wimbledon as they came from behind to beat Portsmouth 2-1 at Fratton Park and claim a first ever League Cup win.

Anton Walkes’ 88th-minute own goal finally ended the Dons’ run of first-round defeats at the eighth time of asking.

Ardley said: “It’s a great night for everyone associated with the football club.

“We don’t have the best record in this competition but that is in the past and it is a cup we want to do well in.

“You are only in three knockout competitions and in two of those you can get a big team and bring some money into the club.

“It was another tough draw away from home, especially after falling behind, and we showed great character to battle back and get the win.

“I thought we had the better of the first half and created good chances throughout the 90 minutes.”

Wimbledon edged the first half and were only denied the lead when Brandon Haunstrup cleared off the line after Scott Wagstaff had chipped Pompey goalkeeper Luke McGee.

Pompey took the lead against the run of play in the 49th minute as defender Christian Burgess powered in a header from a Gareth Evans corner.

The in-form Joe Pigott levelled 14 minutes from time with another superb header after Wagstaff had floated in a cross from the right.

The tie was heading for a penalty shoot-out until Walkes unwittingly guided a Tom Soares centre into his own net.

Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett jumped to the defence of Walkes, a summer signing from Premier League Tottenham.

Jackett said: “It looked like it was going to penalties, which many of these early rounds do, but we have scored the own goal and there was very little time to respond.

“I feel for Anton because he had a good game. He needs to keep his head up; it is important he does that because he has been a good player for us so far this season.

“He has to see that as part of it, take it and move on.”

The defeat ended Pompey’s 100 per cent start to the season but Jackett is backing his men to recover from the setback.

Jackett added: “We did not get the ball in the box as much as we should have done throughout the game but we have to bounce back from a disappointing loss.”