Luke Williams has managed to get himself off to a flyer in his first game in charge as Peterborough thumps Wimbledon 5-0.
Harry Leonard opened the scoring in the 10th-minute, then doubled the Posh’s lead with a penalty (15′), Kyrell Lisbie added a third (35′) following a defensive error.
Then the hosts scored two more in the second half, substitute Gustav Lindgren scored his first league goals since April with efforts in the 77th and 90+ minutes.
The result means that Wimbledon have lost their third straight game across all competitions. They sit 7th in League One with 25 points from 15 games played, while Peterborough are 22nd with 13 points from 14 games played, and 4 points from safety and a game in hand over sides around them.
Williams said, per Peterborough Today: “I’m delighted. Scoring five goals is wonderful, but it’s more about the endeavour and commitment, the things that aren’t always the most noticeable. We know inside the camp that they mean the world. We had people putting their bodies on the line, making lung-busting and leg-burning runs and there was a lot of that.
“The credit goes to the players because we are asking tough, demanding high tempo actions and they delivered really well. The opposition struggled to get to grips with us and I was really pleased with the opening 15 minutes in particular.
“I was so impressed with Harry and the mentality and attitude of Gus coming off the bench is exactly what you want. He’s just watched Harry impress and score two and his attitude was ‘I’m getting involved and try and do the same.’ This is a really good side of his personality. He has had some tough times and to come into the game with that energy and confidence to go and score a couple of goals, that says a lot about his character.
“JJ Morgan, who is super talented, also went on and harassed the opposition when the team needed that little bit extra. The assist he gets begins with him harassing people. He showed that quality, he had a little stumble and it was a hard action to complete, but then he’s able to compose himself and drill he ball across the box perfectly. He showed that Chelsea quality. If we can combine that two with JJ, he will be one hell of a player.
“Before the third goal, the most important things was weathering of the storm. We showed the ability to withstand and resist pressure and it is that period of the game that pleased me the most.
“I want the fans to remember the goals and be excited about dribbles, and big tackles, and saves, but the whole team moving together around the pitch and withstanding the pressure of the Dons was pleasing. The attitude and body language was spot on and that gave us the platform to still be head of the game and then go and get the third goal.
“The clean sheet is so pleasing as to win games regularly you need that attitude and defensive desire to protect the goal. We saw that today and we have to keep it.
“We have a long way to go before we are a really good team, but this initial first couple of games, when the messages have been small and precise, I am grateful for the commitment shown.
“Psychologically, it is a nice feeling to be off the bottom and to have done it in the fashion they have should give the players the confidence they need to shoot up the table.”
“We mustn’t get ahead of ourselves”
Luke Williams following Peterborough’s 5-0 win v AFC Wimbledon ⬇️
#pufc | #BBCEFL pic.twitter.com/nuvTL9JmNk
— BBC Cambs Sport (@BBCCambsSport) November 8, 2025
“We still have a long way to go”
Luke Williams following Peterborough’s 5-0 win v AFC Wimbledon ⤵️
#pufc | #BBCEFL pic.twitter.com/I2qK5ARu1a
— BBC Cambs Sport (@BBCCambsSport) November 9, 2025
Wimbledon’s Johnnie Jackson said on the result: “A tough one to take. It’s just obviously nowhere near where we need to be. So out of character for this team, this group of players, particularly the goals that we’ve conceded.
“We’re a team that has prided itself on our defensive record and being hard to beat and being hard to score against and today, we’ve probably given four out of five goals away just through really poor defending, which isn’t one of our normal traits. So, a lot went wrong today.
“And to be fair to the opposition, they played well and they punished us in their moments. So, you have to give them credit too, but from our point of view, we were well off it.”
On what was said at half-time: “Well, it was about trying to find some solutions in the second-half. Damage was probably done, 3-0 down is hard to come back from, but we made a couple of changes.
“I think we were brighter in the second-half. We were probably on top and building some pressure and momentum in the game, but we didn’t get the goal and then, we gave the fourth one away.
“It probably summed us up on the day. So, there were some strong words at half-time, but I’m probably telling the lads everything that they know already. It was so out of character, what I saw in that first-half.
“We changed the shape. We made some personnel changes. I could have brought anyone off, I suppose, at that stage.
“It wasn’t about certain individuals, it was just about trying to find a different way of going about it, which I think helped, but, ultimately, we’ve gone and given them another two, really.
“So, for all, there was a response in the second half. They kept going, but we’ve gone and conceded another two anyway. So, yes, too little, too late, just so out of character for these players, really.”
On the potential red card: “Yes, listen, it’s a red card for me. Danilo Orsi gets the other side of their last defender from the flick on. He’s going to get an opportunity to get a shot off.
“That bit seems obvious to me, and he gets pulled down. So, it should be a red card and, who knows, if he gets a red card at that stage of the game with ten men maybe it would have been different.
“But, that isn’t why we lost today. Certainly not going to stand here moaning about the referee. There’s a lot more things that I could moan about than him today.
“Yes, I think he probably got that one wrong, but we got a lot wrong ourselves, myself included. So, we’ll focus on that, and that will be what we try to take away from it.”
Here’s how fans reacted with Luke Williams off to a flyer in his first game in charge as Peterborough thumps Wimbledon 5-0…
@PufcSimmo14: Best performance in the league since Scum (H) and think the best is yet to come. Everyone outstanding. The formation or players was never the problem said we play our best with a 10 and wingers. Delighted for Gustav. What happens when our strikers get service UTP #pufc
@Lewis_170354: 5🌟 performance lads well done
@Tobyypufc: Had the opportunity to post a 5 star performance instead of that waffle, ah well who gives a fuck. GOING UP BABBBBBYYYYYYY
@PeterScholes55: HMS piss the league has set sail after a minor delay
@pufc_central07:
Posh are back.
Great crowd.
3 points.
Attacking football
5 goals.
This is the posh we all know and love.
We might just stay up 👀
We might just finish mid table.
Who knows where this is gonna go all I know is we’re going in the right direction..
#pufc
@reeceh87: Up the bloody Posh. What a performance that was 👊💙
@PoshZach: I don’t care, that felt even better than pumping the scum this time last year. Every player – fantastic. Luke Williams’ blue and white army are on a fucking mission. Up the bastard Posh 💙💙💙 #pufc
@campufc: the best and most enjoyable 90 minutes watching us since that 6-1 against cambridge last season
@philwhile: Unreal performance that was today. What a difference 2 weeks and a new manager makes since our last league game 😂 I’m sold already. We’re back! 🙌🏻 #pufc
@UnpopularPosh: 2 FROM LEONARD, 2 FROM GUSTAV, 1 FROM LISBIE! 5 GOALS AND A CLEAN SHEET! A 5 STAR PERFORMANCE! #pufc
@alyn_line: Absolutely phenomenal stuff today! That’s the POSH ⚽💙 I know & love! Free flowing attacking football! WE ARE SO BACK!!!
@deanhoughton9: Credit where it’s due , i questioned JJ’s omission, but fair play, it paid off! Off the bench for a massive impact 👏 Too soon for play-off talk? 👀🤣 #pufc
@Mimi__89x: We are SO back! It’s been a long time since we came out of a game feeling like that… I’ve missed it! Incredible performance from every single player 👏 Luke Williams take a bow! 🫶🏼
