Captain Reeves inspires Dons to comeback win against Rotherham

Wimbledon 2 Reeves 50’, Stevens (67’ pen)

Rotherham United 1 Hugill 38’

Wimbledon captain Jake Reeves inspired his side to a comeback win against Rotherham United that served as further proof that the Dons are making themselves at home in League One.

Reeves levelled the scores early in the second half before pulling the strings in midfield to such an extent that Matty Stevens’ winning goal from the penalty spot felt inevitable long before it hit the net. 

Johnnie Jackson’s side had struggled up until the point that his skipper’s rasping drive nestled in the bottom corner, but this victory means Wimbledon have won as many games as they’ve lost in the first eight fixtures of the campaign.

Given it was Reeves who lifted the play-off final trophy at Wembley in May, there was surely little doubt that he would prove an important figure in the division above.

The 32-year-old played in the third tier during both his time at Brentford and in a previous spell with the Dons, and he needed to be at his most inspirational in this one following a first half devoid of quality.

With the home side failing to muster a scoring chance of note in the first 45 minutes, a smart finish from inside the penalty area by ex-West Ham forward Jordan Hugill looked to be setting them on course for a third-straight league defeat.

However, some effective hold-up play by Omar Bugiel allowed Reeves to put the game back in the balance, and when Stevens was dragged down as he tried to attack a corner it was no surprise to see the Dons top scorer larrup his effort into the top corner.

Wimbledon will need plenty more wins like this to make sure they retain their place in League One, but with Reeves running the show in the middle of the park you wouldn’t bet against them making this level a more permanent home.

Wimbledon: (3-5-2) Bishop, Ogundere, Bauer (Harbottle 63), Johnson, Asiimwe, Smith, Reeves, Hippolyte (Maycock 80), Seddon, Bugiel (Hackford 80), Stevens (Orsi 88). Subs not used: Foyo, McCoy-Splatt, McDonnell