AFC Wimbledon (a) (League 2) Match Report 08/08/2015

The sun was ablaze down at Kingsmeadow for the start of new manager Derek Adams campaign. The Scotsman in his second managerial post after an up and down spell at Ross County in the SPL, sandwiched by a brief stint as Hibernian assistant manager looked nervous but assured. Adams had a varied playing career that spanned 14 years north of the border albeit for a fleeting 2 game spell at Burnley in 1996. Coming into his first game in charge of Argyle, the fans were hoping to see the attacking flair that brought success at Ross County, transferred south to the Green Army. A number of debutants took to the field, and pre kick off, there was a slight flavour of pessimism in the air amongst Argyle. No doubt probably due to the 5 year wait for an opening day victory and the sweltering conditions in the Dons clubhouse!

Once in the stands the chorus of songs began and we began to believe. The game started at a frantic pace with Wimbledon dominating the opening exchanges and forcing a number of corners that although the defence looked shaky, McCormick did well in dealing with. Wimbledon continued to press forward and Barcham sent a curling effort just over the top right hand corner from the edge of the box. It was beginning to feel like it could be 6 years without an opening day win! Despite being under the cosh for most of the first half, Gregg Wylde had an opening on the left hand side of the box and tested Shea with a left footed drive that was well parried away for a corner. This was perhaps a sign of what was to come as on the stroke of half time, new boy Jervis sent a lovely flighted ball to the back post and Wylde met it with a stunning left volley that was too much for Shea and flew into the roof of the net. Argyle's fans went into raptures and I have to admit there was an element of a smash and grab feel about the goal. But hey we were taking it!

After the obligatory half time toilet/burger/cigarette run the boys were back out for the second half. Before we had time to digest our half time fare it was 2-0. Boateng, who had looked our best player throughout the game picked the ball up on the edge of the box. He played the ball sideways to Graham Carey who struck a crisp 25 yard effort that found the top corner, thanks to a lovely deflection/assist from a Wimbledon defender. Again we were in raptures and thinking that maybe this was finally our year to start with 3 points. The next 20 minutes proved our only period of dominance throughout the game. Wimbledon went into their shell and Reid, finding himself in space on the edge of the bohad a curling effort that cleared the crossbar, when it really should of found the net. Jervis had a couple of chances from the right hand side, one flashing just wide across the keeper, and the other somehow managing to be adjudged a foul after a loose ball was saved by Shea! Adams made some substitutions with Tanner getting a first run out and Purrington coming on for the impressive Wylde. The last 20 minutes went to type with Wimbledon pressing, mainly through long balls flicked on by 'The Beast' Akinfenwa but to no avail. Brunt came on for Reid with 3 minutes remaining and the lads stood firm to win the game 2-0. In the closing minutes chants of 'Scottish Mourinho' ran out in sections of the away support. For me the only worrying aspects about the day were being that against sides that are more clinical we could be in trouble and that probably we need to get out the blocks quicker at the start of the game. But for a season opener 2-0 away victory after 5 years in the wilderness, we can be more than happy. Derek Adams the Scottish Mourinho? The jury is out on that, but if he can bring us promotion then that may well be printed on the back of my shirt come next season!!

Best Player - Hiram Boateng

Attendance - 4805 (962 Argyle)

Next Game - 11/08/15 Gillingham (h) (Capital One Cup 1st Round)

On a final note Jack 'Pieface' McDermott will be commentating for BBC Radio Devon for Tuesday night's Capital One Cup game against Gillingham so if you can't get down to Home Park please tune in and listen to his punditry debut!