Virtual Football Sunderland Win At Wimbledon

Match Report

Whilst Wimbledon is a London Game, it’s got a touch of trip to Crystal Palace, in that once you get to Kings Cross, you’re about halfway there!

SAFCBlog normally drives to away games, but if we are playing in London, (or Peterborough), the train option is mobilised. Drinking cans on trains early in the morning is something that all responsible adults should do at some stage. Whilst the Championship season was dreadful, at least it was dreadful at places like Fulham, Millwall, Brentford and QPR, League 1 is a London Free Zone, aside from today’s trip.

Last season…….

We didn’t play well, we didn’t deserve to win, but we did win 2-1 thanks to a brace from Catts….

Sunderland win at Wimbledon — ‘Job done – the win took us up to 2nd place’

“Good result Jack?” ……”Och aye the noo, difficult conditions, it looked like coat weather, I ended up going for a soft wash merino cardigan, but even that was too warm, a tank top would have probably been ideal, but I’ll learn from this……..”

Journey South……

07.22am to leeds

07.59am Leeds to Kings X

Arrive at 10.34am.

Since the demise of The Flying Scotsman, the usual plan is to head to Millers, for a few. Given that Kingstonian is miles away and with Boro at Millwall, it seems they have taken up residence in Millers prior to going into hiding at London Bridge – so it’s straight to Kingston Upon Thames….

Victoria Line to Vauxhall Vauxhall to Kingston, yep it was Underground, Overground to Wimbledon……

Pre-Match……

On the recommendation of The Good Beer Guide, we headed to The Bricklayers Arms, which is a hidden gem about 10 minutes walk from the ground….

Same as last season, good mix of fans, good beers, plenty of staff….

Wander to the ground for 2.15pm, Wimbledon are currently building a new ground on the site of the old Wimbledon Dogs Stadium, for now their current home is tiny and a real mismatch of stands…. that said, once again we were made welcome at the bar in the ground and the BBQ was fired up in the car park, so hard to complain too much.

The Virtual Match……

Wally Downes performed a miracle keeping them up last season, he’s also steadied the ship this season. I was expecting a tough game – another great free kick from The King, after just 6 minutes settled our nerves.

Wimbledon had the look of a team with nothing to play for, but we know only too well from last year that 1-0 is a precarious lead? As expected Wimbledon’s main threat was from set pieces. Whilst we looked fairly comfortable, it was a relief to see substitute Will Grigg round the keeper and slot it home to secure a deserved victory.

The Stats…..

Wimbledon 0 Vs Sunderland 2, (Maguire 6, Grigg 73)

Att. 4842, (727 away)

Thats 5 wins and 5 clean sheets in a row since the suspension of the season. We now sit in an automatic promotion slot and have the title firmly in our sights. Who’d have thought it after the piss poor showing at Bristol and the late heartbreak vs Gillingham?

Job Done……..

Yep, not the best game ever, but it’s all about results now and a goal will do the confidence of Will Grigg the world of good.

In keeping with tradition, quick visit to the fantastic Crystal Kebab Shop in Kings X, then a few pints in O’Neils before boarding the 7pm train North.