Johnnie Jackson praises Wimbledon for their spirit after Colchester win

Posted Sunday, August 11, 2024 by PA

Johnnie Jackson believes AFC Wimbledon showed their spirit as they overcame a calamitous first 10 minutes to defeat Colchester 4-2.

An awful start to the campaign – which saw the south London side go two goals behind – prompted them hit back with four goals and no reply.

Jackson admitted the opening was far below his expectations, but felt his side responded in the fashion he expected.

He said “After the first eight minutes, I was wondering what was going on. We needed to pull ourselves together, because Colchester made a great start.

“They were putting us under pressure, and it was what we talked about doing to them.

“The way we bounced back is credit to the lads, because that was a nightmare start to the season. To turn it around, fair play to the boys.

“I was very pleased with the spirit in the camp, the Wimbledon spirit. You’re not certain to come back, especially so quickly.

“They’re that type of group, full of characters. To play here you have to have a certain spirit, the club is built on that.”

Colchester looked on course for their first opening-day win since 2013 after a blistering start.

After less than 60 seconds of the new season, a deep Jack Payne cross found Ben Goodliffe unmarked and he was able to head past Owen Goodman.

The duo combined again seven minutes later, when the former Sutton man connected with a delivery into the area.

Wimbledon needed a quick response, and got a stroke of fortune on 13 minutes when James Ball deflected an Omar Bugiel drive past Matt Macey.

The hosts pulled back level just before the half-hour mark, when Jake Reeves curled his effort from the edge of the box.

And the first-half turnaround was complete on 37 minutes, when Matty Stevens slotted home a penalty after John Kymani-Gordon handled.

Bugiel sealed the Wimbledon victory eight minutes after the restart, moments after Alistair Smith hit the bar.

Colchester head coach Danny Cowley admitted it was a tough afternoon after such early promise.

He said: “It was a really difficult game to analyse – it was a really good start for us. To be 2-0 up after 10 minutes, I thought we were outstanding.

“For the first 15 minutes we played with great energy, intensity and purpose.

“We scored two really good goals but they scored with their first attack. We should have just kept doing what we were doing.

“When you concede four goals, you don’t expect to win football matches. I just felt we were too open.

“We need to go away and look at the reasons why – we weren’t as successful as we would have liked in the duels.”