Ardley thrilled with Hatters victory

AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley reflected on a ‘very good day’ as his side picked up their first win of the season with a 1-0 triumph at Kenilworth Road on Saturday.
Steve McNulty comes head to head with Adebayo AkinfenwaSteve McNulty comes head to head with Adebayo Akinfenwa
Steve McNulty comes head to head with Adebayo Akinfenwa

The visitors were under huge pressure in the first half, but broke away to score the game’s only goal through striker Matt Tubbs just before the break.

Ardley said: “For 20 minutes it was what we expected. The first game back in the league for a while for them, a great atmosphere, Stilly’s teams, really well drilled, coming at us, putting us under pressure.

“The goalie and the back five stood firm, midfield worked hard, but we didn’t buy enough passes, we were a little bit just working on our defending rather than saying hold on we can cause them problems.

“The moment we started getting it down and playing we got Sean Rigg out loads of times in the first half and we got a little bit more of the game.

“The goal’s helped us in the first half and what a great goal, Tubbs’ finish was different class.

“Second half I thought we had enough chances to score four in the end.

“All in all, it’s a very good day for us. There won’t be many teams who come here and beat this lot.”

Hatters boss John Still was impressed by the quality of Tubbs’ effort, but felt his side could take plenty of positive as he added: “It was a good finish and I think you have to give them a little bit of credit.

“That’s how they play, hit the big man and touched on for Tubbs who can score. Could we have done better? Mabe, but it was a good finish.

“They’re going to be delighted because they won the game, if you ask the manager if they played well, he’ll probably say no we didn’t play that well.

“Well we’ve played well and not quite done it, so as long as we keep improving and working hard defensively, things will fall into place.”