Keeper's resolve finally broken - but former Stoke and Hibs man showing there's good times to be had after Pompey
Pompey keeper Josef Bursik is currently starring for AFC Wimbledon in League One
Josef Bursik’s AFC Wimbledon resolve was finally broken on Saturday.
However, it still took an impressive 361 minutes of League One action and 18 shots on target before the on-loan Pompey keeper was finally requested to pick the ball out of the Dons’ net.
Heading into the Plough Lane side’s third-tier trip to Cambridge United, the 26-year-old had managed to register consecutive clean sheets in his first three games for his new club, following his loan switch from Fratton Park on transfer deadline day.
Bromley, Doncaster Rovers and MK Dons couldn’t find a way past the former Stoke and Club Brugge shot-stopper, ensuring Johnnie Jackson’s side embarked on their best run of the season to date.
That three-match unbeaten run of results was extended to four at the Abbey Stadium today, with a creditable draw secured against Neil Harris’ in-form outfit.
However, it came at the expense of Bursik conceding for the first time in a Wimbledon shirt, with Zak Bradshaw snatching a last-gasp equaliser for the U’s in injury time.
The defender’s late leveller from close range denied the keeper a career-best-equalling four consecutive shut-outs, something he had achieved twice during his time at Stoke.
It also prevented the Dons from registering four consecutive clean sheets, something they had not achieved since February 2025.
The draw, nevertheless, keeps Wimbledon in the early hunt for promotion, with the Londoners now eighth in the League One table.
It also means Bursik’s impressive start to life at Plough Lane remains intact, following a frustrating maiden season at PO4.
Indeed, despite conceding late against Cambridge, his save percentage currently sits at an eye-catching 95-per cent.
Bursik’s Pompey frustrations
Following his move from Brugge in the summer of 2025, the keeper played 11 times for the Blues in all competitions.
The vast majority of those came in October and November of last year as Bursik stepped in to cover for Nicolas Schmid, who suffered a hand injury in the south-coast derby draw at Southampton.
But while few could pick fault with his performances during that period, he was subsequently returned to the substitutes’ bench upon Schmid’s return in December.
A run-out against Arsenal in the FA Cup, plus Stoke on the penultimate weekend of Pompey’s season when their Championship season was secured, was Bursik’s reward for his patience.
Yet that appearance against the Potters lasted just four minutes and proved his last for the club. Indeed, a calf injury picked up during the opening exchanges forced him to be replaced by Ben Killip.
That calf injury meant Bursik was unable to stake his claim for a Pompey starting spot in pre-season.
In fact, as he worked hard to get back into shape, the Blues reinforced their goalkeeping department with the signing of Polish keeper Daniel Bielica from NAC Breda.
The 27-year-old’s arrival subsequently opened the door for Bursik to join Wimbledon on loan for the final year of his Fratton Park contract.
It has also proved to be to the detriment of Schmid’s Pompey career, with the Austrian finding himself on the bench for each of the Blues’ past four games.
A save percentage rate of 53.9-per cent will no doubt have contributed to Schmid’s demotion.
And while Bielica’s stats make for better reading (77.8% save ratio), despite some costly errors already, they’re still some way off the figures being recorded by Bursik, who is currently finding himself right at home at Plough Lane.