MKVAFC

This was it - the match we were all waiting for for 10 years.  And I think it lived up to expectations (except those of supporters who hoped there'd be riots in the stands and a flurry of yellow cards).  The rivalry turned out to be good natured, mature even (not a word used often about football supporters).  And finally I was able to keep my annual New Year's resolution to watch a Wimbledon match.

So there we were - one of the tightest and best organised defences in the league against a stylish 1st Div team who regularly flirt with promotion to the Championship, but jittery against the lively underdogs.

The first 60 mins went pretty well according to plans and forecasts, with the Dons stealing a goal on the dot of half-time, from a fierce unstoppable strike from distance, after long periods of possession and efficient, if at times desperate, defending from AFC.  Then, in the second half, a sudden break from Wimbledon rewarding them with a fine equaliser.

The final minutes of the game were much of the same, straightforward enjoyable Cup football.  It needed something special to decide the match and then, after Wimbledon came close to winning with a shot tipped round the post, it came, at the other end, courtesy of a cheeky heel flick beyond the diving Wimbledon keeper.

Perhaps the time line underlines the match with MK scoring in the 46th and 92nd minute.  The winners though were probably the Wimbledon supporters, the loudest in the stadium (all 3,000 of them), good-natured and simply supportive.  Wish I'd been there in person.