AFC Wimbledon: Akinfenwa promises Dons fans a hat-trick

The Beast scored both goals, and missed a penalty, as the Dons beat Newport County 2-0 at Kingsmeadow in League Two on Saturday.

His double took his league goal tally to 11 as Wimbledon controlled proceedings against a 10-man Newport side.

Despite his two goals Akinfenwa was disappointed by his failure to claim his first hat-trick for Wimbledon.

He said: “Missing penalties can happen, but I am disappointed by my effort. I changed my mind during the run up which is never a good idea.

“I suppose I can’t be too greedy though, because I scored twice and the main thing is the three points today.

“I’m disappointed I didn’t get the hat-trick, but I will say that I will get one for Wimbledon before I retire.”

The 32-year-old added: “I came to Wimbledon believing in the project they had planned and I think it is going well.

“It is important to beat the teams above you, and we are five points off the play-off places with a game in hand so I think we can have memorable finish to the season.”

Dons manager Neal Ardley was pleased with the manner in which his took the game away from Newport after Kevin Feely was sent off, for a last man foul on George Francomb.

“You always feel like you are on edge when you’re only one up and I wanted us to be braver and show our quality in the second half,” said Ardley.

“The penalty moment could have been game changing with Newport going down to 10 men.

“It didn’t work out like that but we got the goal in the end, and for Newport chasing the game with 10 men was very tough.”

Despite having a game in hand over all but one of the teams above them, Ardley is keen for 12th placed Wimbledon to keep their feet on the ground.

He said: “It’s just about the points at the moment. I don’t look at the league table and get excited about what we could do.

“We just want to accumulate as many points as possible.”