Football: Rochdale 3 - 4 Wimbledon

Rochdale’s relegation worries deepened after a penalty awarded deep into stoppage time saw them lose out in a seven-goal thriller to bottom side Wimbledon on Tuesday (19 February) after Dons striker Joe Piggott netted a hat-trick.

Dale twice led through goals from Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Ethan Hamilton but were pegged back by Piggott’s goals either side of half time.

The visitors took the lead midway through the second half only for Ian Henderson to level the scoreline at 3-3 and that’s how it looked likely to end until the late drama. 16-year-old Luke Matheson, on as a 64th minute sub, was adjudged to have tripped Wimbledon’s Steve Seddon inside the box with Piggott keeping his cool to slot in his third and see Wally Downes’ side close the gap on safety to five points.

After no game on Saturday, the Dale players should have been refreshed after their extended break and that’s the way it looked when they took the lead inside three minutes. Joe Bunney, making his first start since returning to the club in the January transfer window, sent in a delightful left wing free-kick that was swept home at the back post by Ebanks-Landell.

The game was a lively affair without any clear-cut chances until after the 26th minute. Anthony Wordsworth with a snap shot that cannoned back off the post from outside the area.

The Dons equalised with nine-minutes left of the half. Piggott turning Ebanks-Landell on the edge of the area before firing a low shot inside Andy Lonergan’s near post.

Parity was only restored for a minute by the visitors as Ethan Hamilton’s run and shot blasted past Ramsdale to edge Keith Hill’s side back in front.

The late stages of the first half saw a flurry of chances at either end although the travelling fans from Wimbledon will be wondering how their side weren’t heading in at the break at least level. Piggott beat the offside trap to run in on goal and with just Lonergan to beat, the striker tried lifting the ball over the onrushing keeper with the veteran gloveman reaching up to make a superb one handed save.

With that scare still on the mind, the Dons had another couple of chances before the half-time whistle. A deep corner was headed back across goal with defender Rod McDonald heading at goal only for Lonergan to again save despite the remonstrations from the visitors that the ball crossed the line. Referee Michael Salisbury turned down any appeals but from the resultant corner, Lonergan had to be agile again to keep out another close-range effort.

The start of the second half started as the first half had ended with Wimbledon on the attack. Within the first minute of the second half, the Dons were level. A swift move down the right saw full back Toby Sibbick send a dangerous ball across goal with Piggott reacting the quickest to turn the ball in.

The game was finely poised with Keith Hill’s side showing some attacking intent as they looked to edge in front once more. Bunney’s cleverly disguised shot-cum-cross was turned behind for a Dale corner whilst home debutant Reikel Pyke almost netted on his first game at the Crown Oil Arena.

Matt Done’s intelligent pass picked out Pyke and with just Ramsdale to beat, the on-loan Huddersfield man couldn’t deliver as the keeper blocked bravely.

Wimbledon went in front for the first time in the game when Piggott’s backheel caught the Dale defence out and when Wordsworth went through on goal, he made no mistake.

Despite the setback, the home players didn’t let their heads drop and were soon level through captain Ian Henderson’s 17th goal of the season. Matt Done’s powerful run and shot was only parried by Ramsdale with Henderson quickest to react to slot into the empty net.

With five minutes of time added on at the end, both sides went for the win and when substitute Bradden Inman was unceremoniously dumped to the ground when seemingly through, the home contingent were clamouring for a penalty; referee Salisbury awarding a free-kick on the edge of the box.

Ian Henderson’s fancy footwork looked to carve a chance for Dale but when that move broke down, the drama switched to the other end of the field. Luke Matheson challenging Birmingham loanee Steve Seddon inside the box with the midfielder going over and the referee awarding a penalty to Wimbledon.

After the arguments had died down, Piggott stepped up to slot in his third and Wimbledon’s fourth as they took maximum points.

Rochdale: Lonergan, McLaughlin (Matheson 64), Ebanks-Landell, McNulty, Bunney, Camps, Hamilton, Dooley (Inman 80), Pyke (Andrew 80), Henderson ©, Done
Subs: (not used) Wade, Delaney, Wilbraham, Adshead

AFC Wimbledon: Ramsdale, Sibbick, McDonald, Thomas, Seddon, Nightingale ©, McLoughlin (Wagstaff 75), Wordsworth (Pinnock 89), Hartigan, Folivi (Jervis 76), Piggott
Subs: (not used) McDonnell, Watson, Barcham, Burey

Referee: Mr M Salisbury
Assistants:  Mr A Pashley & Mr P Gooch
Fourth Official: Mr P Wright

Attendance: 2,410 (144 from Wimbledon)