https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2025/august/23/report-highlights-afc-wimbledon-barnsley-efl-league-one/

https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2025/august/23/wimbledon-reds-report/

Matty Stevens scored his third League One goal of the season to help AFC Wimbledon to victory over Barnsley.

Myles Hippolyte forced an excellent save from goalkeeper Murphy Cooper during an exciting start to the clash.

Experienced striker David McGoldrick should have scored for the visitors midway through the first half after getting onto the end of a superb cross, but goalkeeper Nathan Bishop produced an even better save to deny him.

The Dons took advantage in the 29th minute when Hippolyte flicked on a cross into the path of Stevens, who coolly converted.

Stevens could have added a second on two occasions before the break but his first effort was well saved by Cooper and his second drifted wide of a post.

Bishop made another excellent save after the break to turn Davis Keillor-Dunn's powerful strike around a post.

Things got even better for the hosts when they doubled their lead a few moments later.

Antwoine Hackford was put through by Alistair Smith and the summer signing made no mistake as he placed the ball into the bottom-left corner.

McGoldrick headed the ball off a post from the restart as the visitors looked for a route back into the match, but it was not to be.

[ --- www.bbc.co.uk]