Sunderland got back to winning ways after a 1 – 0 victory over AFC Wimbledon at the SOL on Saturday. A second half deflected strike from Carl Winchester was enough to split the sides in a feisty and entertaining encounter.
After the defeat on Tuesday at Burton Sunderland were quickly back in action as they welcomed AFC Wimbledon to Wearside. In his pre-match press conference, Lee Johnson confirmed Ollie Younger had a minor injury so wouldn’t feature in the match day squad along with Corry Evans, who is out for a fortnight after picking up a hamstring injury at MK Dons.
The gaffer refused to be drawn on transfer rumours regarding Vito Mannone, though Leeds defender Niall Huggins signed a four year deal with the lads a few hours after the press conference. Johnson however did offer an update on Denver Hume stating the contract offer from the club remains on the table but it won’t be improved whilst confirming there is some interest in wantaway flop Will Grigg.
Johnson made two changes to the side that lost at the Pirelli Stadium with Burge replaced by Patterson in a late change after Burge felt a niggle in the warm up whilst Alex Pritchard started in place of Dennis Cirkin.
The lads got off to a decent start and had a sight of goal after Gooch latched onto a diagonal ball but his left footed shot was held by the keeper. The Dons went close after 10 minutes when Doyle sliced a clearance but Chislett curled a low shot just wide of the post.
After 20 minutes the visitors won a free kick in a dangerous position on the left wing after a rash challenge by Lynden Gooch but Sunderland defended it well. The lads were knocking the ball about well in the middle of the park but chances were at a premium as Sunderland lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
Sunderland almost opened the scoring five minutes later after a fantastic piece of skill by Embleton allowed Neil to cross towards Stewart but the keeper got to the ball just before the big striker. A minute later the lads went close again after Gooch surged into the box but the keeper parried away his left footed shot.
Five minutes before the break Sunderland went close when Gooch crossed from the right but Dan Neil headed wide. On the stroke of half time Sunderland forced a corner after a decent passage of play but Embleton's cross was cleared so it was goalless at the break.
Neither side made any changes at half time but Sunderland should have been ahead after two minutes when Gooch played Stewart through on goal. Stewart had a good first touch and struck a decent effort goal ward’s but the keeper palmed away the shot.
Five minutes later Sunderland had another chance when McGeady crossed from the left but Gooch and O’Nien got in each others way before Gooch headed wide. A couple of minutes later Carl Winchester unleashed a fantastic strike which the keeper brilliantly tipped away.
With half an hour remaining Sunderland went close again after Doyle started a good move with a clever pass into the feet of Ross Stewart. Stewart did well to turn and feed Alex Pritchard who advanced to the edge of the box before clipping a shot just wide of the post.
Sunderland eventually took the lead 25 or so minutes from the end thanks to a deflected strike from Carl Winchester. Winchester picked up the ball in the centre of the pitch and drove a powerful shot towards goal which took a wicked deflection wrong footing the keeper and nestling in the bottom left hand corner of the goal.
With 20 minutes to go Lee Johnson made a double change with Aiden McGeady and Alex Pritchard replaced by Nathan Broadhead and Dennis Cirkin.
Five minutes later Sunderland went close to doubling their lead when Embleton’s corner found Doyle but he couldn’t connect well enough with the ball and Wimbledon scrambled it clear. At the other end Sunderland had a let off when Patterson came for a corner and fell over but Flanagan headed the ball off the line.
Johnson made a third change with 10 minutes left on the clock with Bailey Wright replacing Elliott Embleton as Sunderland looked to preserve their lead.
Sunderland managed to do just that defending well in the closing stages of the game and four minutes added time with Patterson also saving a header comfortably late on.
The lads were good value for the victory but just need to get a bit more ruthless in front of goal to make Saturday afternoons a bit more comfortable.
Final Score – Sunderland 1 AFC Wimbledon 0
ALS Man of the Match – Carl Winchester
