AFC Wimbledon moved up to second place in League Two after securing a 2-1 victory against Newport County at Rodney Parade on Thursday night, January 5, 2025. The win marked Wimbledon's second consecutive victory and solidified their credentials for promotion, whereas Newport's struggle for points continues, leaving them near the relegation zone.
On what was a bitterly cold night, Josh Kelly struck first for Wimbledon just three minutes after the halftime break, finishing superbly from the edge of the area. His effort caught Newport's defence off guard, who had dominated possession during the first half but failed to convert their chances. Kelly’s opener set the tone and shifted the momentum of the match significantly.
Romaine Sawyers cemented the result for the visitors with another well-placed goal in the 77th minute. The former Cardiff City midfielder’s finish emphasized Wimbledon's clinical touch contrasting sharply with Newport’s struggles, especially considering they had pressured the Wimbledon goal frequently during the first half.
Despite the visitors controlling the later stages of the match, Newport managed to knock one back through substitute Oliver Greaves. His last-minute goal sparked brief hope among the home fans, but it was too late to spark the comeback they desperately needed, as they succumbed to their third straight defeat.
Newport County started brightly, creating several scoring opportunities early on. Within the first fifteen minutes, both Michael Spellman and Bobby Kamwa almost found the back of the net, forcing Wimbledon's keeper Owen Goodman to make some fine saves. Newport continued to push, with noticeable performance from 19-year-old Kai Whitmore, who proved troublesome for the Dons’ defence.
Lucas Carney, making just his second EFL start due to the injury of Nick Townsend, played a pivotal role, saving Matty Stevens’ long-range attempt just before halftime. While Newport was grateful for Carney’s heroics, their inability to convert had them entering the half level, seemingly strong but falling prey to moments of negligence.
Wimbledon switched gears after the break. Kelly’s opener stunned the Newport crowd and seemed to make the home side timid. Instead of rallying their efforts, Newport appeared caught off guard, allowing Wimbledon to take charge of the match.
"I felt the scoreline was harsh on our performance, especially after dominating the first half," said Newport County manager Nelson Jardim after the match. "We need to take our chances moving forward; we can't afford to miss opportunities like we did tonight." The sentiment reflects the frustration felt by the County fans and players alike, who have seen one win from their last ten league outings.
AFC Wimbledon's manager Johnnie Jackson remarked, "Today's win puts us right back in the promotion fight for us, and we're hoping to keep up the momentum." This sentiment is significant as it emphasizes the ambitious stance of the team aiming for promotion as they enter the business end of the season.
With their current form, Newport's situation is precarious as they sit 18th, just six points clear of the relegation zone. The Exiles can hardly afford another defeat when they face Morecambe, who sit at the bottom of the league, on Sunday; It feels like a must-win. Wimbledon's victory catapults them back up the standings, now just outside the automatic promotion places.
The match illustrated the contrasting fortunes of both clubs. While AFC Wimbledon celebrated their rise back to potential promotion glory, Newport County faces the hard truth of their current crisis. The Exiles must find resolve quickly to stave off the threat of relegation looming ever closer with each passing match.
Attendance for the evening game was 4,485, with approximately 358 fans making the trip from Wimbledon to support their side, marking another show of commitment from the away contingent.