MATCH REPORT: Plymouth Argyle - AFC Wimbledon (Sky Bet League Two)

Home Park, Matchday 30

Plymouth Argyle Starting XI: McCormick; Berry (Trotman 87’), Branston, Blanchard, Purrington; Alessandra (Boco 59’), Blizzard, Hourihane, Blackman (Gurrieri 74’’); Reid, Morgan

Plymouth Argyle Substitutes: Trotman, Boco, Cole, Richards, Gurrieri, Wotton, Lecointe, Martínez

AFC Wimbledon Starting XI: Brown; Fuller, Frampton, Fundingsrud, Kennedy; Porter, Sweeney, Pell, Arthur; Green (Other) (Strutton 12’), Green (Bald) (Sheringham 59’)

AFC Wimbledon Substitutes: Bennett, White, L. Moore, Sainte-Luce, Sheringham, Strutton, Worner

There’s not a whole lot to say about Wimbledon’s performance earlier today. The Dons controlled the game from the opening whistle and never let off the gas. They got their goal fairly early in the game- with, what has to be said, a leading candidate from Charlie Strutton off of… well, we’re not sure how to describe it. A reverse diving header? The first tally settled the nerves and set up the explosion of goals in the second half. Harry Pell continued an exciting run of form with a brace to cap off a dominate Wimbledon performance. The Wimbly Womblys, though no longer chasing an Invincible season, continued their inexorable march to the league title and, most importantly, promotion. Being twelve points clear at the top, it’s getting more and more difficult to envision a fall that robs the club of promotion.

But if it does happen, today’s devastating injury may very well set the stage. Early in the first half, Other John Green reached up for a header 12 yards from the goal. The defender, who got to the ball first and cleared it out, threw off Green’s landing and he hit the ground with his knee at an awkward angle. A hush draped over the grounds- home and away supporters alike- as Other John Green crumpled to the floor. He was immediately brought out of the game- substituted for Strutton, who took up his teammate’s mantle by scoring the opening goal- and handed over the the physio.

While further tests will be needed, preliminary reports say that Other Green, half of Wimbledon’s elite strike tandem, will be out of action for up to four weeks. While it certainly could have been much worse- there were whispers among the supporters heading to the travel coach that it was a torn ACL- this is devastating news for the player and for the club.

“Obviously we’re all concerned about the Other John Green situation,” said Manager John Green at the post-match press conference. “We’re going to continue evaluating him throughout the week and work out a plan with him to ensure a complete and timely recovery. The most important thing right now is his health- I cannot stress that enough. The lad is understandably distressed, but he knows that he has the support and love of this club, and especially his husband. He’ll have all the support and resources he needs to get through this difficult time.”

The question is not now whether AFC Wimbledon can cope without half of their strike tandem, particularly after losing a reliable backup in Jack Midson during the January transfer window. The club will have to make due. But there will inevitably be some retooling of the line-up in order to keep the side rolling and not drop too many points in the striker’s absence. Whether Bald John Green starts playing as a long striker or tries to develop a new partnership with one of the squad players- Sheringham, perhaps?- is a question that the team, and the manager, will have to decide fairly quickly. The next game is in less than a week, and while Wimbledon is twelve points clear in 1st entering into the final stretch of the season, there’s still plenty of time for a shake-up at the top. The Dons have shown, more than any other time in League Two (and possibly in the entire Football League) an amazing sense of determination and mental toughness this season. Those qualities will be rigorously tested over the next month.

Plymouth Argyle 0-4 AFC Wimbledon

Scoreline: Strutton (WIM) 31’, Pell (WIM) 51’, Pell (WIM) 74’, Sheringham (WIM) 78’

Discipline: n/a