AFC Wimbledon earned their first 3 home points, with a gritty win over their Sussex based visitors.

With Bexhill losing their first two games, it was no surprise to see the visitors come out of the blocks and start competitively. They dominated the first quarter of the fixture, but the home defence stayed solid, as Wimbledon adjusted to a change of formation.

Bexhill finally broke through and it was their number 8, Fay Denyer, who opened the scoring in the 10th minute, slotting the ball past the Dons' Keeper. Scoring their first goal of the season, inspired the visitors and they continued to press forward looking for their second goal.

Dons under pressure of continual attacks, found more possession, and the work rate of their strikers, continued to find spaces behind the Bexhill defence. With the increased possession, the Dons won a succession of corners, and eventually capitalised with a superb half volley from Vicky Petrova on 34 mins.

Buoyed by the success, Dons again pressed forward, and winning more corners, struck again with an impressive volley from midfielder Rebecca Sargent.

The second goal settled down the home team, and from there Wimbledon began to dominate, and continually pressed forward.

On 44 minutes and after a neat succession of passes, Clare Headley-Smith opened up the Bexhill defence, for Caz Bisson to score a wonderful strike into the top corner of the Visitors' goal.

The two teams went in for the break with Wimbledon looking the stronger team, and Bexhill looking somewhat deflated.

The second half started much as the first, with Bexhill full of energy and snapping into the tackles. With the ref keeping his cards in his pocket, both sides mixed it up and the competitive nature of the game became apparent.

The Dons had more of the possession and chances, and Petrova nearly added to her tally when a good chance came her way.

Just after the hour mark Bexhill shuffled their pack, bringing on an extra midfielder, in an attempt to combat the strength of Wimbledon's midfield.

On 63 minutes Dons manager Lyons, in an attempt to kill the game, replaced Clare Hedley-Smith and Fleur Robinson with Toni Jones-Leach and Jess Trimnell.

Play continued to ebb and flow, and Wimbledon nearly extended their lead, as Bexhill keeper Hayley Calder saved well from a Trimnell chance.

After 75 minutes, in the talking point of the game, Dons striker Petrova received red as she reacted to another late Bexhill challenge. Wimbledon had to quickly regroup but with the sending off still in players' minds, Bexhill's Denyer added another goal after 78 minutes.

After 83 minutes Wimbledon then lost Trimnell to injury, with substitute Walker coming on.

The final 13 minutes were tense for 10 player Wimbledon, as they battled hard under relentless pressure, as Bexhill made the most of the extra player advantage.

Referee Tunde Adebayo finally brought the match to an end after an extra 6 minutes of added time.

The result sees Wimbledon finish the weekend third in the table, with a number of other sides on 6 points. Bexhill on the other hand remain at the bottom of the table with Hassocks, Aylesford and Eastbourne also on zero points. The Dons supporters have seen a complete transformation in their team; with last season's side finishing their campaign with zero points having played 20 games. Next weekend's fixture to competitive Crawley, will be another good test for Lyons' new squad, as they look to cement their place amongst the other title contenders.

[ --- John Ivers]