After an unbeaten March and a return to the pinnacle of league two, Stockport County searched for a third consecutive win against play-off chasing AFC Wimbledon. A tough game was always on the cards for the league leaders, but the result was ultimately a hard-fought 1-0 win. Despite a strong start to March, Wimbledon has stuttered in recent weeks and has struggled to break a spell that has seen them pick up only two points in their last three matches. The match against Stockport saw three of Wimbledon’s starting XI being ex-hatters, with the centre back partnership between captain Ryan Johnson and recent purchase Joe Lewis being protected by James Ball in the central midfield. Ball featured for Stockport in the national league north under former manager and club legend Jim Gannon, with Johnson and Lewis arriving under current hatters manager Dave Challinor. Featuring for Stockport was Conor Lemonheigh Evans, who was recalled from a loan spell at Wimbledon in January, making 14 appearances.

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HOW IT UNFOLDED

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FIRST HALF

It is fair to say that the first half can be described as cagey. Wimbledon’s intentions were clear from the start: make the game as direct as possible. At every opportunity, Wimbledon’s Defenders would skip the midfield, launching long balls for striker Omar Bugiel to contest or John-Kymani Gordin to run onto in the channels. This resulted in a tough contest between Fraser Horsfall and Bugiel competing for aerial balls and Ethan Pye and Gordin for balls played into the left-hand channels.

On the whole, the Stockport defence was able to win these battles. The exception to this was when Fraser was bested by Bugiel after a long throw was launched into the Stockport Box, leading the centre half to trip over the big striker in the 35th minute. This gave the Dons a vital opportunity to take a lead, which they could protect using their characteristic rigid style. James Tilley put the ball on the spot, hoping to score his eighth goal of the season. Tilley managed to send Stockport goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe the wrong way, but dragged his effort wide of the right-hand post; a massive let off for Stockport.

Stockport took back control for the rest of the half with Nick Powell in particular excelling in advancing the ball and getting Stockport playing faster and pushing the Wimbledon backline further back. The result of this were multiple Stockport corners, but these were dealt with expertly by Wimbledon; resulting in both teams to walk off all square at half time.

Wimbledon had the best chance of the half, but the game was even at the break.

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HALF TIME: Stockport 0-0 AFC Wimbledon

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SECOND HALF

The second half started slow, with the ball spending more time in the air than on the ground. The first real chance came for the hosts in the 53rd with Camps firing the ball into row Z of the Cheadle End. Soon after, in the 58th minute, former Manchester United player Nick Powell picked up a knock after a slide tackle. Wimbledon looked for set-pieces and received one after a Kyle Knoyle foul on winger Josh Neufville just outside the Stockport box.

Substitutions for Stockport looked to change the game as Powell and Wooton were swapped for the pace of Olaofe and control of Odin Bailey in the 59th minute. However, what followed was a period of constant Wimbledon pressure and attacking dominance. A 63rd minute corner was headed onto the Hatter’s post before a foul was called. Wimbledon’s best chance to take the lead of the second half came in the 67th minute when a Kyle Knoyle throw went wrong and the ball was nicked by Josh Neufville, who took it past Callum Camps and charged towards the Stockport net, coming into the middle but placing his shot just wide of the upright.

The match remained a tightly fought contest, with Wimbledon looking to add height and pace with their substitutions bringing on Josh Kelly and target man Aron Sasu for Josh Neufville and John-Kymani Gordin.

A Touray ball in the 75th minute into the box almost led to an Olaofe goal but his header went over the crossbar. This had the effect, however, of invigorating the home crowd, and the Stockport fans got fully behind their team. The next 15 minutes were commanded by Stockport, who masterfully crafted attack after attack. A further substitution saw Kyle Knoyle replaced by Grenadan international Myles Hippolyte. It only took three minutes for Hippolyte to make an impact, taking it past two Wimbledon defenders on the left flank before being brought down on the edge of the box near the corner flag. The resulting cross was dealt with by Wimbledon but the hosts maintained possession until a Ryan Croasdale shot hit the advertising boards far wide of Alex Bass’ goal.

In the 85th minute Ibou Touray received the ball around the half way line, before spotting Odin Bailey on the edge of the Wimbledon box, in space. He played the ball and as he did the crowd rose, on the half turn Odin Bailey took one touch before curling the ball around Alex Bass and into the far left corner. The deadlock was broken and the league leaders were ahead. Wimbledon tried to get back into the game and made a 87th minute substitution bringing on striker Josh Davison for defender Jack Currie.

The final 10 minutes were dominated by Wimbledon’s desperate attempts to create a chance, with the constant threat of Centre-half Kofi Balmer’s long throws being forced into the box from near the halfway line. They were easily dealt with by the Stockport low-block and after the 6 added minutes were played the Greater Manchester side finished on top.

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FULL TIME: Stockport 1-0 AFC Wimbledon

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This game left Stockport at the top of the League Two table, and after Mansfield’s postponement Stockport were four points ahead with the same amount of games played. The title is in the hatters hands and with points on the board in place of games in hand, they should be confident going into their away fixture at Sutton. This game will not be a walkover, with Sutton fighting to save their football league status. With MK Dons’ draw at Notts County, promotion is nearly secured for the North-West side. As for Wimbledon, they now sit 10th in the league and only 3 points from the play-offs, but 7th place Crawley have two games in hand on them so reaching the play-offs will be a tough ask for them.

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Starting line-up for Stockport:

Ben Hinchliffe, Kyle Knoyle (Hippolyte, 74’), Ibby Touray, Fraser Horsfall, Callum Camps (Croasdale, 74’), Paddy Madden ( c), Nick Powell (Bailey, 58), Ethan Pye, Kyle Wooton (Olaofe, 58’), Rico Richards (Sarcevic, 45’), Conor Lemonheigh Evans

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Subs

Jordan Smith, Neil Byrne, Antoni Sarcevic, Ryan Croasdale, Myle Hippolyte, Tanto Olaofe, Odin Bailey

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Formation: 4-3-3

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Wimbledon:

Alex Bass, Kofi Balmer, Ryan Johnson ( C), James Tilley, Josh Neufville (Aron Sasu, 71’), James Ball, Omar Bugiel, John-Joe O’Toole, Jack Currie (Josh Davison, 87’), Joe Lewis, John-Kymani Gordin (Josh Kelly, 71’ )

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Subs:

Nik Tzanev, Huseyin Biler, Josh Davison, Josh Kelly, Alex Pearce, Aron Sasu, Issac Ogundere

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Referee: Lewis Smith

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Attendance: 9,550 Away: 390

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Man Of The Match: Ibby Touray.