Matty Stevens scored a hat-trick as AFC Wimbledon beat Carlisle 4-0 in their first match at the Cherry Red Records Stadium since flooding left the pitch unplayable.
The Dons had to postpone home fixtures against Newcastle, Accrington and Crewe after the ground’s drains backed up, causing parts of the pitch to collapse.
The Wimbledon fans did not have to wait long to witness their side’s first goal at home since mid-September as Stevens headed James Tilley’s cross into the bottom left corner in the seventh minute.
Feels good to be back! 🏟️ #AFCW 🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/cb2haH7bKt
— AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) October 12, 2024
Tilley went close from a free-kick shortly after, and he almost set up his side’s second with a clever pass across Carlisle’s six-yard box.
Visiting goalkeeper Harry Lewis saved Alistair Smith’s long-range effort in the 39th minute, only to see Stevens convert the rebound to double Wimbledon’s lead.
It was 3-0 before the break when a corner sparked a melee in the box, leading to Cameron Harper turning the ball into his own net.
Stevens completed his hat-trick just after half-time, popping up at the far post to head in another excellent Tilley delivery.
The visitors finally put Johnnie Jackson’s side under pressure during the final 20 minutes, but they could not find a consolation goal.
Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledged no one at Nottingham Forest expected to be third in April but backed his team to embrace the challenge after they started a huge week with victory at Tottenham.Forest had slipped to sixth in the Premier League after weekend wins for Champions League qualification rivals Manchester City, Chelsea and Aston Villa, yet responded with aplomb in the capital.Early efforts...
Chris Wood’s 19th goal of the season fired Nottingham Forest back up to third in the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Tottenham.Forest had slipped to sixth after the weekend’s results, but Nuno Espirito Santo savoured a sweet three points against old club Spurs after early goals from Elliot Anderson and Wood in the capital.It brought Ange Postecoglou’s team back down to earth aft...
Leeds boss Daniel Farke saluted his players for holding their nerve after a 6-0 home win against Stoke helped seal promotion back to the Premier League.Joel Piroe scored four goals, including Leeds’ fastest-ever league hat-trick, with strikes in the sixth, eighth and 20th minutes and added his fourth before half-time after Junior Firpo had put Farke’s side 4-0 up in 26 minutes.Willy Gn...
Burnley captain Josh Brownhill sent the Clarets back into the Premier League with both goals in a 2-1 win over Sheffield United that also saw Leeds promoted and left the Blades relying on the play-offs.Scott Parker made it three promotions with three different clubs in the space of six seasons as Burnley extended their unbeaten league run to a club-record 31 games, bouncing straight back to the Pr...
Burnley captain Josh Brownhill joked the Clarets had “bored our way to the Premier League” after a 2-1 win at home to Sheffield United confirmed their return to the top flight at the first attempt.Scott Parker’s side have conceded just 15 goals in 44 matches and victory over their promotion rivals ensured they could not be caught with two matches remaining.“I’m speech...
West Brom have announced the departure of Tony Mowbray after the club’s play-off hopes were all-but ended by a 3-1 Championship defeat at home to relegation-threatened Derby.The visitors twice punished the Baggies from set-piece situations when Ebou Adams and Jerry Yates struck from corners in the first half.Adam Armstrong’s goal halved the deficit and made for a nervy final 20 minutes...
Ian Holloway emphasised his pride in his resurgent Swindon side, despite Will Wright’s own goal against Bromley ending their slim play-off hopes.Danny Imray nutmegged Tom Nichols on the byline and fired a low ball into the box which bounced off the hapless defender’s shin in the 88th minute, condemning the Robins to a 1-0 loss.Kabongo Tshimanga had earlier missed a first-half penalty f...
Grant McCann admitted the task ahead for him is to keep his players calm after Doncaster put themselves within touching distance of promotion with a 3-0 win over Colchester.Goals from Harry Clifton, Jordan Gibson and Patrick Kelly saw Rovers power into top spot in League Two.It means a victory over promotion rivals Bradford this weekend will see them promoted to League One but McCann is determined...
Leeds boss Daniel Farke saluted four-goal Joel Piroe after his side thrashed Stoke 6-0 at Elland Road to stand on the brink of Premier League promotion.Piroe fired Leeds’ fastest-ever league hat-trick with strikes in the sixth, eighth and 20th minutes and added his fourth before half-time after Junior Firpo had put Farke’s side 4-0 up in 26 minutes.Willy Gnonto headed Leeds’ sixt...
Tony Mowbray felt West Brom “lacked a bit of courage on the ball” as their play-off hopes were all-but ended by a 3-1 home defeat to relegation-threatened Derby.The visitors twice punished the Baggies from set-piece situations when Ebou Adams and Jerry Yates struck from corners in the first half.Adam Armstrong’s goal halved the deficit and made for a nervy final 20 minutes until ...
- 1 Jordan Bowery earns Mansfield a point at Rotherham
- 2 Man City in pole position to secure Morgan Gibbs
- 3 Arteta makes exciting Arsenal transfer claim
- 4 Grant McCann to keep Doncaster players calm despite being on brink of promotion
- 5 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 6 Mentality and spirit unbelievable – Daniel Farke praises promoted Leeds players
- 7 Four Tottenham stars could leave this summer
- 8 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 9 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 10 Newcastle continue to impress in absence of Eddie Howe with Crystal Palace rout