Stockport's Lightning Start and Late Show Leave Wimbledon Wondering What Hit Them
County's promotion push gets a timely boost with a comprehensive victory that puts daylight between themselves and the chasing pack, despite an early injury scare.
Sometimes football can be beautifully simple, and Stockport County's 3-0 dismantling of AFC Wimbledon was one of those occasions where everything clicked into place with the sort of efficiency that would make a Swiss watchmaker weep with joy.
The Hatters wasted absolutely no time in stamping their authority on proceedings, with Adama Sidibeh finding the net in under two minutes. It was the kind of start that sets the tone for an afternoon, though Sidibeh's day would take an unfortunate turn as injury forced him off the pitch shortly after his opener.
In football's cruel twist of fate, however, County's loss became their gain. Kyle Wootton stepped up to replace the stricken Sidibeh and promptly doubled the lead in the 39th minute, proving that sometimes the best-laid plans go out the window in the most fortuitous way possible.
Credit where it's due to AFC Wimbledon goalkeeper Corey Addai, who single-handedly prevented what could have been a proper routing. The keeper pulled off several impressive saves throughout the match, though one suspects he'll have nightmares about what might have been without his heroics between the sticks.
The Dons' resistance finally crumbled in dramatic fashion during stoppage time, when Ollie Norwood added the cherry on top with a third goal in the seventh minute of added time. Because nothing says 'job done' quite like a late goal when the opposition has already thrown in the towel.
This result does more than just flatter County's goal difference – it strengthens their grip on that crucial fifth position in the League One table. More importantly, they've now put three points of clear water between themselves and seventh-placed Stevenage, which in the context of a promotion race is worth its weight in gold.
For Dave Challinor's side, this was exactly the sort of professional performance that separates genuine promotion contenders from the also-rans. They identified their opportunity early, capitalised ruthlessly, and never allowed their opponents back into the contest.
Wimbledon, meanwhile, will need to dust themselves off quickly. Days like these happen in football, but it's how you respond that defines your season. They'll have taken some encouragement from Addai's performance, but defensively they looked as porous as a colander.
With the League One promotion race heating up, County have sent a clear message to their rivals: they're not just making up the numbers in the play-off spots, they're serious about climbing even higher.