Moore the merrier as Dons thrash Salisbury

The Dons first home Conference win had more than a sprinkling of Combined Counties League about it in a thrilling night at Kingsmeadow.

Strikers Luke Moore and Danny Kedwell made light work of defensively woeful Salisbury.

Comedy defending wasn’t the only thing pantomime about the evening – former Dons striker Danny Webb had to play the last 21 minutes in goal after number one James Bittner was red carded.

The only down side was a hamstring injury to Kedwell. If a pull is confirmed, he will be out for three weeks according to the boss.

But if that is diagnosed Brown won’t rush his search for a fourth striker.

He said: “We’ll have to see with Danny. If it’s a pull that’s two to three weeks minimum, isn’t it? Obviously that would be a massive blow for us just when he is starting to score goals.

“He feels very sore just below his backside so we’ll wait and see what it is officially tomorrow. We won’t panic if that happens. I’m still over-budget.

“I was delighted with the result tonight but it wasn’t really a 4-0 performance. It wasn’t a fair result by any means – Salisbury came here and played really well. We beat a very good side tonight.

“The midfield needs to gel a lot more than it is. The passing football I expect them to be playing isn’t quite there yet but I won’t argue with a 4-0 win.”

Salisbury manager Tommy Widdrington said: “Wimbledon started the game better than us but in the second half before the red card we were the better side. I actually thought we were going to win it.

“We were bossing the game and I could only see one side scoring a goal.

“Their penalty came totally out of the blue and from then on it was obviously down hill for us. Our keeper said he didn’t touch Moore so we’ll decide on an appeal tomorrow.”

Wimbledon went ahead with an early candidate for goal of the season.

Moore, a summer signing from Ebbsfleet, ran and ran before unleashing a thunderbolt from 25-yards that flew into Bittner’s top left-hand corner.

Sam Hatton should have made the game safe by half-time. The midfielder danced around Whites defender Jamie Turley but couldn’t apply the finish the clever approach play deserved.

With Salisbury on top the host struck the killer blow 20 minutes from time. Derek Duncan’s lofted ball was seized upon by Moore and, after opting to go round the keeper, he was upended by Bittner. Despite Webb covering the referee decided it was a clear goal scoring opportunity and off he went.

Kedwell made no mistake from the spot to make it 2-0. It looked to be staying that way until a late flurry of action.

Horrific Turley imploded and handed Kedwell his second with a minute to go.

The Salisbury man then carelessly let in Moore who completed the scoring with ease to the delight of the massive near 3,600 midweek crowd.

“The support was once again sensational,” said Brown.

Salisbury manager Widdrington added: “The Wimbledon crowd credit to them were great. But the referee was swayed by them screaming for the penalty, no doubt.”