AFC Wimbledon 0 Plymouth Argyle 1: Match report

THE name of AFC Wimbledon may be something that still holds a negative connotation deep in the recesses of Derek Adams' brain, but the Cherry Red Records Stadium holds no such stigma.

And the first ground that Adams ever managed at in England may just be the place where his Argyle side got their Sky Bet League One campaign truly under way.

Joel Grant's goal just after the hour mark was the only one either side could score in an open contest, and for only the second time this season, Argyle held on to the lead for all three points.

The omens felt good; we learned pre-match that Wimbledon had NEVER won three consecutive league fixtures, and given they were coming to this fixture on a two-match winning run, that seemed to bode well.

As, of course, did the fact that Argyle had never lost at the ground in five league games.

The only new name on the Argyle teamsheet was Remi Matthews, signed on loan from Norwich in the week as an emergency loan goalkeeper. Apprentice Michael Cooper, who deputised so well in the second half at Blackburn, was back on the bench.

Of all the 22 players starting the match, it was a different name that threatened to dominate the game: Brian. An Atlantic storm of that ilk, whistling its way across the British Isles, sent a direct wind through the ill-protected Cherry Red Records Stadium, and would affect proceedings from the off.

Argyle, playing into the wind in the first half, actually seemed to settle the best, playing balls beyond the high Wimbledon back-line, but with the ball holding up, Jake Jervis's powerful running unsettled the hosts.

The Pilgrims forced a number of early corners as they pushed to claim the first goal in an away game for the second time in a week, but it was the Dons who had the first serious chance. It came from nothing; Ryan Edwards was under no pressure when he missed his kick, and suddenly Wimbledon looked in. Edwards rather sheepishly raised an arm in admission of a mistake moments later, after his team-mates had bailed him out.

Argyle's pressure had not really yielded a clear shot, whereas Wimbledon looked a little more direct when they attacked. Harry Forrester's curling effort, just wide, had Argye hearts - including Matthews' - a-flutter for a second, and George Francomb sent a similar effort over the bar, a little further away.

The Greens' best moment nearly came from a piece of casual Dons defending. Will Nightingale sauntered out of defence and tried to waltz past Fox, but the Argyle midfielder stuck out a boot and won the ball. Had the loose ball fallen a little kinder, Jervis would have had the simplest of finishes. Instead, goalkeeper Long gathered gratefully.

Jervis, against whom the Wimbledon back-line seemed to hate playing, managed to engineer a shooting position on the edge of the box after a patient Argyle build up, but the forward dragged his effort wide with his left foot.

Read the full match report here.