A lot can change in five years – just ask supporters of AFC Wimbledon and Luton Town.
For both clubs it’s been a period of change and adjustment, with the Dons finally returning home to Plough Lane whilst the Hatters have ascended the football pyramid to make it to the heights of the Premier League.
But rewind to this day in 2019 and the two teams were very much on par, albeit competing at very different ends of the League One table in that particular season.
The game was billed as a massive event at Kenilworth Road – a shootout under the floodlights with Luton going for promotion as Wimbledon fought for every point possible to complete our survival mission.
For the hosts it couldn’t have been a better start as Elliot Lee fired home after eight minutes. However their joy wouldn’t last with Joe Pigott heading home a beautiful Anthony Wordsworth cross to level the scores.
But the pendulum would swing again – a sign of things to come – as James Collins put the home side back in front five minutes prior to half-time.
Wally Downes and co would’ve known that a big team talk was needed at the break in order for the Dons to regain a foothold in what was a pivotal fixture.
Step forward Aaron Ramsdale – the young goalkeeper, on loan from Bournemouth at the time – who would go on to make a series of incredible saves to keep us in the contest as Luton pushed hard to increase their advantage.
It was a goalkeeping performance that would see many of our supporters pronounce him as England’s future number one. Of course, as we now know this could well become a reality, with the now Arsenal and England shot-stopper having progressed to the top – all whilst maintaining his strong relationship with our goalkeeping coach Ashley Bayes.
In moments of struggle the most unlikely names can come to your rescue and in this particular match it was the turn of the man with number 15 on his back.
Steve Seddon, a rampaging full-back, given a license to attack at every opportunity by Downes, went on to pop up with what would prove to be a priceless moment.
It all happened in slow motions for the players on the pitch and the fans in the away end as a shot from Pigott cannoned into the air. Seddon, finding himself in the unfamiliar territory of the penalty box, leapt into the air like a salmon, throwing his head at the ball, sending it gliding into the net.
Pure pandemonium ensued. Limbs everywhere. Scenes for the generations. A surge of supporters met a band of dancing players. Each man in black either fist pumping the air, jigging with delight or in Wordsworth’s case – ending up in the crowd!
It was a moment of realisation: We can really do this, we can survive, we can stay up.
And so it proved, with a win against Wycombe and a draw against Bradford on the final day securing our safety in League One. The Dons had done it. Wally was at the wheel.
PICS: Pro Sports Images
