Soccer

Matty Stevens hat-trick ensures AFC Wimbledon have happy homecoming after flood

The Dons thrashed Carlisle 4-0 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

Matty Stevens scored a hat-trick for AFC Wimbledon
Matty Stevens scored a hat-trick for AFC Wimbledon (Steven Paston/PA)
By PA Sport staff

Matty Stevens scored a hat-trick as AFC Wimbledon beat Carlisle 4-0 in their first match at the Cherry Red Records Stadium since flooding left the pitch unplayable.

The Dons had to postpone home fixtures against Newcastle, Accrington and Crewe after the ground’s drains backed up, causing parts of the pitch to collapse.

The Wimbledon fans did not have to wait long to witness their side’s first goal at home since mid-September as Stevens headed James Tilley’s cross into the bottom left corner in the seventh minute.

Tilley went close from a free-kick shortly after, and he almost set up his side’s second with a clever pass across Carlisle’s six-yard box.

Visiting goalkeeper Harry Lewis saved Alistair Smith’s long-range effort in the 39th minute, only to see Stevens convert the rebound to double Wimbledon’s lead.

It was 3-0 before the break when a corner sparked a melee in the box, leading to Cameron Harper turning the ball into his own net.

Stevens completed his hat-trick just after half-time, popping up at the far post to head in another excellent Tilley delivery.

AFC Wimbledon had been forced to postponed a number of home matches due to pitch damage following a flood
AFC Wimbledon had been forced to postponed a number of home matches due to pitch damage following a flood (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

The visitors finally put Johnnie Jackson’s side under pressure during the final 20 minutes, but they could not find a consolation goal.

Dons boss Jackson said after the game: “It (pitch damage) was no one’s fault, so we just had to make sure that when we turned back up here, we had energy and enthusiasm about what we were doing.

“It was brilliant that we could get back here (so quickly) and play.

“That has been the message really all week, that we need to use being back here to our advantage and that is what we have done.

“This club was built on adversity and overcoming obstacles, it is just another one that has been put in our way, but as always the club has overcome it.

“The way that everyone rallied around when it happened was amazing and it was a credit to everyone for getting the game back on.

“We thought we might not be back here for a long while, so to get the game on and for the pitch to play as well as it did took a huge effort from a lot of people.”