In-form Wimbledon face early test with a trip to the leaders

Preview, quotes, stats, ticket news and coverage of Barnsley game

17 August 2018

Wimbledon visit Oakwell Stadium on Saturday to face a Barnsley side that Neal Ardley has described as an “acid test” for the Dons.

The Dons head to Yorkshire buoyed by a three-match unbeaten run and with a fully-fit squad. However, Neal’s team are up against the early league leaders who are keen to make a quick return to the Championship following relegation last season.

Daniel Stendel, previously a player and coach of German side Hannover 96, took over as the Tykes new Head Coach at the start of July. He’s got off to the perfect start in charge of Barnsley, guiding them to a 4-0 victory over Oxford United on the opening day and followed up with a 2-0 win at Bradford City last weekend. However, they suffered their first defeat and conceded their first goal of the new campaign, going out of the Carabao Cup, following a 3-1 defeat at Blackpool in midweek.

Wimbledon entertain Sunderland in League One and Premier League West Ham in the Carabao Cup before the end of the month, but first the focus is on maintaining a three-match unbeaten start to the season tomorrow. The new-look side won 2-1 at Fratton Park against Portsmouth on Tuesday, to set up an eye-catching tie in the next round of the League Cup.

The Dons return to League action, having won at 1-0 at Fleetwood on the opening day and having taken a point from a goalless draw against Coventry City in the first home game.

Quotes

Neal Ardley

“This will be the first real acid test for us to see whether we’re near anywhere we want to be. We’re under no illusions that Barnsley are going to be one of the strongest teams. Anyone who finishes above them will be there or thereabouts.

“I think if you spoke to any Oxford fan, they’d tell you how good they were against them. Barnsley could have won by a lot more than four. Bradford tried to come up with a game plan to beat them last week and were comfortably beaten by them. They’re extremely high-intensity, 4-4-2 and the pace they possess in their attacks is excellent. They ask loads of questions of you, press high and they’ve got good players that have played at Championship level.

Andreas Winkler (Barnsley’s Assistant Head Coach)

“We know they’ve not conceded a goal in the league, so they have a good defence. They will be well prepared for us and our style and they will probably know a little bit more about our philosophy, so it will be a tough game.

“We will try to stick to our plan – to wear the opponent down with our possession play – which we didn’t do too well against Blackpool in the second half, but if we can do that against Wimbledon then I’m confident of a good match. On Saturday it’s a new match, a new opponent and a new tactic, so we’re very excited to see how our young squad will get on.”

Team news

Barnsley full-back Zeki Fryers and winger Ryan Hedges are continuing their respective recoveries, but are a long way off being back in contention. Lloyd Isgrove, who missed large parts of last season through injury, has a sore muscle and will be assessed before kick-off.

Neal Ardley confirmed that Andy Barcham had shrugged off a toe injury in time to be considered for the trip to South Yorkshire. The winger missed Tuesday's Carabao Cup victory, but he is back in contention and the manager also reported that centre-back Terell Thomas and midfielder Liam Trotter had shaken off knocks.

Form guide (last six, starting with most recent)

Barnsley – LWWLWL

AFC Wimbledon - WDWDDD

The connection

Barnsley midfielder George Moncur made 20 appearances and scored two goals, when on loan to AFC Wimbledon from West Ham United in 2012.

Top scorers (all competitions)

Barnsley - Victor Adeboyejo and Mamadou Thiam (2)

AFC Wimbledon – Joe Pigott (2)

Tickets

Dons supporters will be accommodated in the North Stand for this game. You can pay on the day with tickets at the following prices:

Adult - £25

65 and over - £18

Young adult 19-21 - £18

Please note it is cash ONLY on the North Stand turnstiles and Juvenile tickets (18 and under) WILL NOT be available on the day.

For further information please read the Visiting Supporters Guide.

Match coverage

Overseas subscribers can watch a live stream of the game with WDON commentary keeping you in touch with events from Oakwell. WDON commentary will be available to our domestic subscribers. To subscribe in time for tomorrow, visit our designated iFollow page. If you can't listen in, then follow our official Twitter page to keep in touch with the action.

Match Reports

Wimbledon show plenty of grit with a deserved point in Yorkshire

The Dons extend their unbeaten run against Barnsley

18 August 2018

Wimbledon showed plenty of grit as they extended their unbeaten run and kept another clean sheet from their visit to Yorkshire.

Neal Ardley’s side showed a tremendous work ethic and a renewed team spirit in a goalless draw. They even had opportunities to claim all three points as striker Kwesi Appiah netted only to see the flag up for offside, against a Barnsley side tipped to make a swift return to the Championship.

Will Nightingale returned in central defence, Ben Purrington at left-back and Liam Trotter in midfield. Andy Barcham was fit again and able to start on the wing with Appiah also returning to the starting line-up. Rod McDonald, Tyler Garratt, Anthony Wordsworth, Mitch Pinnock and Joe Pigott reverted to the bench after the Carabao Cup victory at Portsmouth.

Brad Potts had an early opportunity to put Barnsley in front inside two minutes, but from the cross he was unable to finish. A minute later, Potts put another effort high over Tom King’s crossbar as Barnsley kept up the early pressure on the Dons goal.

Tom Soares produced Wimbledon’s opening effort with a low shot after nine minutes, which earned a corner. Mamadou Thiam responded for Barnsley down the other end. Scott Wagstaff put the ball just wide of King’s post, as the hosts continued to press with 14 minutes gone. Kieffer Moore then had a chance snuffed out by skipper Deji Oshilaja inside the penalty area.

Having held firm for the opening half hour, Wimbledon had an opportunity from a free-kick in the 33^rd minute. Wagstaff was brought down just outside the area and Appiah floated his effort over the crossbar.

Although the Dons had come under considerable pressure in the first half and chances at the other end were limited, yet again they defended as a team to deny Barnsley with half-time approaching. With three minutes to go the hosts were again through on goal, but a decision in the penalty area went Wimbledon’s way. The Dons had to survive a few nervy moments, but were still on level terms at the break.

Barnsley picked up where they left off in the first half by putting Wimbledon under pressure when play resumed, but the Dons continued to match them with their defensive work. Potts again had early opportunities but failed to capitalise.

James Hanson caused problems in the penalty area from a corner for Wimbledon in the 54^th minute. Moments later, Appiah produced a low shot which was saved by goalkeeper Adam Davies.

Nightingale and Oshilaja again teamed up to deny Barnsley and the resulting corner was an easy take by King from a Liam Lindsey header. Appiah (pictured) then burst through and had the ball in the net for Wimbledon following a great move, but then had his effort ruled out. With the midway point of the second-half looming, the Tykes took the opportunity to introduce former Dons loanee George Moncur for Tom Bradshaw.

Wimbledon continued to dig in and work as a team to shut out Barnsley, but the hosts were also lacking in their final touch to really trouble King. The Dons made two changes with just under ten minutes to go, with top scorer Joe Pigott replacing Appiah while Toby Sibbick came on for Tennai Watson at right-back.

Wimbledon looked to claim all three points towards the end as the game opened up in the closing stages, having had a much more effective second-half up front, but they had to settle for a hard-earned point.

AFC Wimbledon: King, Watson (Sibbick), Purrington, Oshilaja (c), Nightingale, Wagstaff, Appiah (Pigott), Trotter, Barcham, Hanson and Soares.

Pic credit: Simon Davies (Pro Sports Images).

Match Reports

Ticket News

Tickets & travel for trip to Barnsley

Buy in advance ahead of the League One match in Yorkshire

15 August 2018

AFC Wimbledon are back on the road again with a trip to Barnsley on Saturday and tickets can still be purchased in advance for this fixture.

The trip to Oakwell Stadium will be another new ground for some supporters to tick off their list as it will be AFC Wimbledon's first trip to the venue since the club was reformed.

Supporters should note that for ticket orders placed within three working days of the game the tickets will be available for collection at the stadium of the away team.

Wimbledon supporters can pay on the day for this game, but advance tickets are available at slightly cheaper prices.

Below are the prices for tickets:

Category	Advance Ticket Prices	Matchday Ticket Prices
Adult	£23	£25
65 and over	£16	£18
Young Adult (19-21)	£16	£18
Juvenile (12-18)	£10	N/A
Juvenile (Under-12)	£5	N/A

Please note that tickets for juveniles will not be available on the day of this game and they must be purchased in advance from AFC Wimbledon.

Tickets for all categories are available to buy from our online ticket shop.

Adult and concession prices apply for Ambulant Disabled tickets with carers free of charge. Please contact the club on 020 8547 3528 for more information.

Supporters' Coach

This will pick-up from opposite South Wimbledon tube station at 7.30 am and from the Cherry Red Records Stadium at 8.00 am. The price is £28 for return travel and places can be booked by contacting the club office on 020 8547 3528.

Ticket News

Standings