Return of the Dons

The story of AFC Wimbledon is quite remarkable after they have risen through the leagues to the 3rd tier of English football despite only being founded by the fans in 2002. AFC Wimbledon was created because the owners of Wimbledon FC moved the club to Milton Keynes and renamed them MK Dons which was to the distaste of the majority of Wimbledon fans and inspired them to found AFC Wimbledon and start all over again at the bottom of the football pyramid instead of supporting MK Dons. I asked Wimbledon fans about the uprooting to Milton Keynes, one fan told me he was ‘absolutely gutted’ as the club who he had supported for many years had been destroyed and it was perceived that it shouldn’t have been allowed by the EFL and one fan said it was ‘wrong then and is still wrong now.’

So, AFC Wimbledon had to begin their route back to the football league in the 2002-03 season in the lowest tier of English football, in just nine seasons AFC Wimbledon had been able to climb all the way back up to the conference get to the play off final for a place back into the football league. Many Wimbledon regard this as their favourite moment since becoming AFC Wimbledon as on the 21st May 2011, Wimbledon beat Luton Town on penalties to return to the Football League with a fifth promotion in just nine seasons. This was an historic moment as Wimbledon were once again a football league club for the first time since the reformation in 2002, and Wimbledon have been able to remain a football league side ever since this moment. The Dons spent five seasons in league two finishing 16th, 20th, 20th, 15th and the in 2016 they finished 7th in league two to guarantee themselves a place in the play offs. The Dons managed to win the League two playoffs with wins over Accrington Stanley and then beating Plymouth in the final to reach the 3rd tier of English football. Since 2016 Wimbledon have become an established League One side and are now in their 4th season at this level but are in a precarious position just above the drop zone for now.

Here you see the League 2 play off Final trophy

Another favoured moment among the Wimbledon faithful was their FA Cup giant killing of West Ham in January 2019 as they made it the furthest in the competition since the reformation with the win taking them into the 5th round where they were unfortunately knocked out at the hands of Millwall. The win against West Ham will live long in the memory of Wimbledon fans as the Dons were 2-0 up at half time and then it got even better because within the first minute of the second half, they were 3-0 up. A two-goal fight back from West Ham wasn’t enough and as time ticked on Sibbick headed home to seal a famous 4-2 win at Kingsmeadow.

Kingsmeadow has been AFC Wimbledon’s home since they were founded in 2002 but more recently in 2017 it has also become the home of Chelsea Women FC. The ground holds 4,850 people of which 2,265 is seated and the ground is based in Kingston Upon Thames and is not actually in Wimbledon. In the early years of AFC Wimbledon crowds were averaging around and just over 2,500 people per game, however when they were promoted in 2009 to the Conference attendances rose to around 3,500 people. And more and more kept coming as they were promoted back into the football league as since 2011 their average attendance has been around 4,000 to 4,500 which is a large following for a club in their division. As well compare this to the Chelsea Women, who also play their home games at Kingsmeadow, only had an average attendance of 1,600 in the 2018/19 season which was the second highest in the Women’s Super League but this season attendances have risen because of the success of the England women at the 2019 World Cup.

This is Kingsmeadow before the recent home game vs Doncaster Rovers

Now beginning to look forward into what could happen in the future for AFC Wimbledon and what fans want from the next few seasons. When they were quizzed on this many replied saying there are all excited to move back into Plough Lane and want the club to keep their place as a League One side. However, the move to Plough Lane looks to have hit rocks for now as the Dons are in need of £11 million in funding so that they can complete the project but borrowing this would leave high repayments which would mean a playing budget ‘barely capable of surviving in League 2.’ Another option the club is considering is that they could move to Plough Lane but only play with one stand and save up for the rest over time. The final option is to accept offers from private investors to gain the funding to complete the stadium. (For the full run down of all the options, view the club statement by clicking here). If the club was not able to move into the new Plough Lane it would be a great shame as Plough Lane became iconic with Wimbledon as it was were the original Wimbledon FC played their home games from 1912 to 1991. But now, were Plough Lane used to stand there is houses and flats so the new Plough Lane will not be in the exact location but will still take on the historic name which has become synonymous with Wimbledon throughout the years.

Inspired Wimbledon fight back to win

Match Report: AFC Wimbledon 2-1 Doncaster Rovers FC

A second half Wimbledon fight back was good enough to take all three points at Kingsmeadow with goals from Marcus Forss and Callum Reilly getting on the scoresheet for the Dons and Kwame Thomas scoring for the visitors.

Doncaster started the better of the two sides with both Sadlier and Whiteman testing the keeper early on, then a 12th minute Doncaster corner was whipped in deep by Reece James, to the back post on a plate for Kwame Thomas to head home from just a yard out. When Wimbledon eventually got forward there was a big penalty shout as Mitch Pinnock showed a beautiful skill to beat the Doncaster defenders but was tripped and the referee made the decision not to give it. After, Doncaster continued there good start and were on the front foot and looking to extend their lead, and they should have just before the end of the half as a long ball forward had Kieran Sadlier running at the defence and he slid in Arsenal Loanee Ben Sheaf who took it first time but it ended up being a tame effort into the clutches of Nathan Trott. Half time came and it had been all Doncaster in the first half, but the second half was a different story. Wimbledon came out like a different 11 and started well with Callum Reilly curling an effort just wide of the mark. But moments later Sanders sent through Marcus Forss who was scythed down by Donny defender Donervon Daniels and this time the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot. Forss converted the penalty by sending Dieng the wrong way to put Wimbledon level and take his League one goal tally to 10. After scoring he was soon the creator as a long, hopeless ball forward from the Wimbledon back line was chased down by the Finnish hitman who was able to wrestle his way onto the ball and slip in Callum Reilly who calmly side footed it past the out rushing goalkeeper. Doncaster were by no means out of the game as chances did come their way. The first was from a drilled Reece James cross which should have been diverted on target however substitute Jon Taylor fluffed his lines and put it wide. Then with 89 minutes on the clock Niall Ennis was able to loop a ball just in front of the six-yard box which was meet by the right boot of Coppinger who fired over to the disgruntlement of the Doncaster faithful.

After the game Wimbledon boss Glyn Hodges talked about the first half saying ‘We took a while to settle down and get playing how we should’ but was pleased to see out the victory after last weeks disappointment conceding late on. He also said, ‘A challenge was put down (at half time) and they responded to it brilliantly,’ before saying ‘Determination was probably the difference in the two halves.’ He also heaped praise upon Callum Reilly for his run from deep and finish which was able to give Wimbledon the game. He also hopes that a few injured players return in time for the busy Christmas period.

Doncaster boss Darren Moore rued the missed chances by his team as he said, ‘With the chances we created we could have come in at half time with more than just the one goal.’ He also said, ‘bitterly disappointed with the two goals we’ve given away and not capitalising on the chances we created.’ He continued to say, ‘The two goals scored have not been created or earned.’ But he did praise the first half by saying ‘It was a great first half,’ and said a lack of concentration was the reason behind conceding the two goals. After that defeat Doncaster have not won in four and only have one win in nine so there is pressure beginning to build on boss Darren Moore.

To hear Glyn Hodges full post match thoughts, please listen below.

Match Preview: AFC Wimbledon V Doncaster Rovers FC

AFC Wimbledon are back at home this weekend after a disappointing draw away at Bolton when they looked to be heading to victory but a late goal from Joe Dodoo stopped them taking all 3 points back to London, Wimbledon have only picked up one win in their last eight games. This run of form has seen the Dons slip perilously close to the drop zone as they sit in 19th and just 3 points above arch-rivals MK Dons who occupy the drop zone.

Doncaster come into game after earning a point themselves at home to MK Dons with Cameron John striking late on to earn a point for the Rovers, but similar to Wimbledon, they have won just one of their last 8 games and the win came against Wimbledon in the FA cup 1st round replay at the Keepmoat. Doncaster however currently occupy 13th on 24 points and only 7 points off the playoff with 2 games in hand on most sides.

Form in All Competitions: Last 6 games

AFC Wimbledon – DWLLLD

Doncaster Rovers – DLLLWD

In the previous meeting between these two sides was in the FA Cup first round replay in which Doncaster prevailed with a 2-0 victory with goals supplied by Coppinger and Bingham, prior to this in the game at Kingsmeadow a Joe Piggott’s header was cancelled out by a Tom Anderson equaliser. However, the last meeting in the EFL League 1 was a 2-0 victory for Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow with two second half goals Steve Seddon (who was on loan from Birmingham) and Shane McLoughlin who is still plying his trade at Wimbledon.

Head to Head: The Last Five

19/11/19: Doncaster Rovers FC 2-0 AFC Wimbledon (FA Cup 1st Round Replay)

09/11/19: AFC Wimbledon 1-1 Doncaster Rovers FC (Fa Cup 1st Round)

09/03/19: AFC Wimbledon 2-0 Doncaster Rovers FC (EFL League 1)

17/11/18: Doncaster Rovers FC 2-1 AFC Wimbledon (EFL League 1)

01/05/18: Doncaster Rovers FC 0-0 AFC Wimbledon (EFL League 1)

Marcus Forss has been in good form for AFC Wimbledon this season and has scored 9 goals and is currently the 5th top goal scorer in League 1. He has an impressive 96 minutes per goal and has manged to score 9 of Wimbledon’s 23 goals this season as they have been heavily reliant on the man on loan from Brentford. The 20 year old Finnish striker scored 2 last time out at the University of Bolton Stadium and ended a run of 5 games without a goal. He will be looking to try and catch the Peterborough duo of Toney and Eisa who lead the goal scoring charts with 13 each.

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