[BFC SITE] REDS LOSE AT WIMBLEDON

Fixtures

• AFC Wimbledon Vs. Barnsley - Sat, Aug 23 2025, 15:00

The Reds were consigned to their first defeat of the 2025/26 season against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.


Barnsley started proceedings brightly, dominating possession of the ball and settling into the encounter nicely in the capital.

However, it was the hosts who worked the opposition goalkeeper first, Murphy Cooper having to be at full stretch to stop Myles Hippolyte's effort from the edge of the area in the 17th minute.

David McGoldrick had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 27th minute, receiving the ball from the left at close range to the goal, but Nathan Bishop pulled off a fantastic diving save to deprive the Irishman of his third goal of the campaign.

Two minutes later, Wimbledon took the lead. A cross into the box from the right was deflected into the air; Myles Hippolyte flicked it on and found Matty Stevens, who flicked home from close range.

A flurry of chances fell to the Reds in the closing stages of the first half after sustained pressure in the Wimbledon box, but the home defence stayed strong to keep their one-goal advantage intact going into the break.

Half-time: AFC Wimbledon 1-0 Reds

Looking to mount a response following the restart, Patrick Kelly almost got the Reds level in the 54th minute. Adam Phillips beat the offside trap on the right-hand side, held the ball and squared for the onrushing Kelly who couldn't divert his effort goalward on the stretch.

Connell was the next to try his luck, opening fire from 25 yards with a low, driven strike which worried Bishop but went just wide of the post.

The Reds looked certain to go level in the 69th minute, after Keillor-Dunn broke down the left and delivered across the front. Phillips looked to be perfectly placed to tap in at the back post, but a hand by Bishop diverted the ball away from the Reds midfielder.

A minute later, Wimbledon doubled their advantage. Antwoin Hackford was played through on goal and arrowed a strike into the bottom corner, cannoning off the inside of the post and into the back of the net.

McGoldrick caused problems once again, firing a scissor-kick goalwards from inside the area and smashing the frame of the goal two minutes after conceding.

Cooper made a huge save to keep the Reds in the game once again, smothering Omar Bugiel at his feet to prevent a third for the hosts with ten minutes to play.

Despite four minutes being added after normal time, the Reds were unable to break down the resolute Wimbledon defence.

Full-time: AFC Wimbledon 2-0 Reds

REDS: Cooper (GK), Shepherd, Vickers, Phillips, McGoldrick, Ogbeta (Farrugia 72'), Kelly (Yoganathan 62'), Watson, Earl, Keillor-Dunn, Connell.

UNUSED SUBS: Flavell (GK), Barratt.

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McGoldrick misses a sitter for the third match in a row.

The defending for the first was awful. I have said previously we need one CB and one CF. I have changed my mind to needing two CBs.

The second goal Vimal before today would have gone in harder and made more of an effort to stop the attack. I think he's a bit battle scared from his recent sending off.