Don’t hammer us over pitch invasion

MK Dons in plea to game’s chiefs, saying there was no malice behind fans’ actions
P81 Wimbledon fans
David Smith3 December 2012

The Football Association have been urged to be lenient over the pitch invasions that marred the grudge match between AFC Wimbledon and Milton Keynes Dons, the club the London side believe stole their name and heritage.

A probe is set to be launched by the governing body as to why fans were allowed to spill onto the pitch at Stadium MK during a second-round FA Cup-tie that saw League One promotion contenders MK Dons beat Division Two relegation candidates AFC through a last-minute goal.

AFC supporters, already agitated by being present in the home of their great antagonists, flattened advertising hoardings in the 59th minute as they rushed on to the pitch in celebration of Jack Midson’s diving header which cancelled out an earlier curling long-range wonder strike from Stephen Gleeson.

It was the turn of home supporters to charge the pitch in the 90th minute when Jon Otsemobor deflected the ball into the opposition net with an audacious looping back heel which robbed AFC of a replay.

MK Dons boss Karl Robinson, who came onto the pitch to appeal to his supporters to return to their seats, knows the FA could impose heavy fines on both clubs. He said: “Two sets of fans entered the field of play, which you can’t condone. But it was just passion, they were on the pitch for a minimal amount of time. Not one fan attacked or physically went towards any player. Thankfully, they all went back to their seats, well-mannered, and continued supporting their teams.

“With the way it was stewarded, nobody was handled with any malice, and there was no malice back to the players or the stewards. They [the FA] have got to do what they’ve got to do. But I think football should prevail.”

MK Dons goalkeeper David Martin, the son of former West Ham star Alvin Martin who was watching from the stands, admitted it got “a bit hairy” when he found himself surrounded by AFC fans after Midson scored right in front of the away end. But Martin, the former Wimbledon player who later prevented a huge upset with a sensational 89th-minute diving save from Steven Gregory, went on: “You can understand the emotions that surrounded the game.

“Their goal was a great moment for them but their fans didn’t really show any aggression towards me, so I was happy enough just to back off.”

MK Dons now face an away test at Sheffield Wednesday in the third round of the FA Cup. AFC manager Neal Ardley has the more pressing task of lifting his side ahead of Saturday’s League match at fellow strugglers Barnet.

Ardley, who took charge of the team less than eight weeks ago, admitted: “We’ve got to learn how to win games, that’s the biggest thing. We will start a plan of action tomorrow. We need to change a few things around the training ground, and we need to get the lads a little fitter and stronger. But we will not shirk the challenge.”

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