FL2: Torquay United v AFC Wimbledon- 3 August 2013- 3pm.

Phew - that was close to an opening defeat and I don't think Torquay would have too many complaints had they lost. They had to rely on sponsors MOTM Martin Rice who pulled off 4 terrific saves to keep the game at 0-0. It was only a heavily deflected goal from Downes that finally beat Rice late in the game today. Downes later showed great character to score Torquay's last gasp goal. Crowd a healthy 3,441 helped by 772 from Wimbledon's loud and passionate support.

The first 5 minutes was a bit of a nightmare from Torquay's viewpoint. Torquay could not get out of their half and Wimbledon took the game by the scruff of the neck. It should have been 1-0 as Wimbledon had a 1-on-1 with Rice. But Rice stood up well and saved with his legs. Around 10 minutes Torquay had a goal disallowed. An initial Cameron cross was headed and saved but by the time the ball was bundled over the line an offside had occured. But this spurred Torquay into action and there was some good passing and movement at times. Cameron caught my eye with some nice tricks on the wing. Harding was settling well in midfield and Torquay were looking the better team. But Wimbledon still carried the greater threat but Rice was equal to everything. One save near the end of the first half was quite stunning - he dived at point blank range to parry a certain goal again. So 0-0 half-time.

I was hoping for more pressure in the second half from Torquay but it was not forthcoming. Again Rice saved spectacularly diving to claw away a shot heading for the top corner. Another thing Rice also helped was his kicking often pin-pointing his kicks to a yellow shirt. Elsewhere there was not a lot happening and the game had its dull moments. Loanee Ball showed his goal prowess by taking the ball in his stride and hitting a low shot from outside the area that clipped the outside of the post. Wimbledon made a triple substitution and Torquay at the same time brought on Hawley for Benyon who typically gave a hard working performance. It was a while before Hawley, who looks to me in appearance like Anelka, had his first touch but he showed some good glimpses. Chapell later replaced a fading Cameron and Chappell had a decent low shot hit narrowly wide and did perk things up a bit. But on 87 minutes Wimbledon took the lead when you felt the game was settling to be a 0-0. The goal had a touch of fortune about it as it deflected of Downes. Thompson came on for right back Tonge to try and salvage a point. There was some decent Torquay pressure. In the 93rd. minute it was substitute Thompson's cross that was deftly headed in by Downes. Plainmoor erupted and we were spared a home defeat!

My conclusions - there were glimpses of quality from our new players but it was a tough ask bearing in mind this line-up have never played before. Wimbledon looked stronger than last season and Torquay were fortunate to avoid defeat. Torquay clearly need matches under their belt to find their feet and gel as a team. It's very early days and at least we avoided defeat and I'm sure we will get much stronger. Harding impressed in midfield, Cameron had good moments in the first half. Pearce had one or two lapses but should do well. In the first half he got the wrong side of an attacker and got rightly booked when he tugged the attacker back and also gave away an unnecessary corner from a misplaced header to Rice. But he looks on the whole composed on the ball. Downes was probably our 2nd best player today. Bodin was frustrating again - on one hand winning the ball well and showing good control but his final ball was often poor. I was surprised that Craig was not even on the bench.