Preview: Wally on the challenge at Ipswich tonight

Quotes from both managers ahead of match at Portman Road

20 August 2019

Wally Downes has called on his young players to make the most of playing in a big stadium at Portman Road tonight.

Over 24,000 watched Ipswich Town’s first League One match at home to Sunderland and though the gate is not anticipated to be as big tonight, there’s still likely to be a sizeable crowd cheering on a side relegated from the Championship last season.

With the trip to Ipswich followed up by a match at Sunderland on Saturday, it’s a pivotal week on the road for Wimbledon against two of the most well supported clubs in the third tier of English football.

Below are quotes from both managers, plus team news, and a look back at a previous Wimbledon visit to Portman Road.

Wally Downes

“They (our young players) have earned the right to be there, so they’ve got to grasp the opportunity and enjoy the experience. Playing against Ipswich Town, it’s a feather in your cap to go there and acquit yourself well and get a result. That would be fantastic to have in our memory banks. It’s a great stadium to play at and these are the type of matches we fought hard to earn by staying up last season.

“Ipswich are very direct, very positive, and a very big side. They could be similar to what we faced with Rotherham. With teams coming down from the Championship, I think there’s a perception that there’s an awful lot more football played, but they (Ipswich) are very direct and we will have to match them.

“I thought we played very well in the first-half on Saturday, we had a couple of chances to score and a lot of set plays early on, but it’s a learning curve for us. We have some young players in and they haven’t played against 10 men before in a first-team scenario. There are things that we weren’t doing that we should know and we will know in the future. You’ve got to circulate the ball more and make the other team work hard. It may take you 20 minutes before you get your goal, but they can’t keep working as hard with 10 men as they do with 11. The fact we were pumping balls forward and they were comfortable in defending them showed a bit of naivety on our part.”

Paul Lambert

“There’ll be one or two changes because of the number of games we have. Where I don’t want to get caught is when you play 10 or 15 games and somebody’s got to come in out of the cold and you’re asking them [to come straight in], it’s unfair on them. There’ll be one or two changes but I trust them to go and perform.

“If we play 15, 16, 17 games with the same team and two or three get injured and we ask two or three to come in, it’s really difficult for them to get up to speed. I trust them to go and perform, so that’s important for us because the number of games we have here is vast.

“It’s a hard game. They’re coming to our stadium, we’ll have a big crowd again and we’re playing well in a lot of aspects of the game. We have to be where we are at the minute and keep on that front foot, the way we play. I’m happy with a lot of aspects of the game, there are one or two things where we can do a lot better, but we’ve got a young team as well, who, as I keep saying, are learning on the job and they’re getting better and better. There’s a decent little mix. The thing that does give me concern is the lack of numbers in the squad.”

“I’m happy with the team three games into the season, there are some really good things there. Young Idris [El Mizouni] came on at Peterborough and did some really good things, [Luke] Woolfenden again is getting better. There are a lot of good things there. If they can handle the pressure that’s on us and the target that’s on our back. If we don’t lose, you’re going to be in it.”

Team News

Though Will Nightingale and Anthony Wordsworth have both returned to training, tonight’s game will come too soon for the pair to return for Wimbledon. For Ipswich, new signing Kane Vincent-Young could make his debut at right-back, though the former Colchester man was considered a doubt at the weekend with a toe injury. If not, Janoi Donacien could continue. Winger Anthony Georgiou, who has signed on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, could also make his debut.

Last time out

AFC Wimbledon 1-1 Accrington Stanley

Peterborough United 2-2 Ipswich Town

Birthday Boy!

A happy birthday from all at AFC Wimbledon to Luke O'Neill. Our new right-back (pictured celebrating our opening goal against Accrington) is 28 today and we really hope he marks the occasion with a Dons victory tonight!

Form Guide

AFC Wimbledon DDLL

Ipswich Town DLDW

Blast from the past!

Ipswich Town 2-2 Wimbledon (16 December 1994)

An entertaining clash from Wimbledon’s Premier League days with both sides threatening to win it. Dean Holdsworth put Wimbledon ahead in just the second minute, but Simon Milton levelled five minutes later. Jon Goodman restored Wimbledon’s advantage in the 62^nd minute, but Steve Sedgley earned a point for the Tractor Boys with a goal in the 83^rd minute.

Tickets

Wimbledon supporters can pay at the turnstiles for tonight’s game at Portman Road. Please refer to our away guide for more information.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Last-gasp goal defeats Wimbledon at Ipswich

Dons just beaten after good away display

20 August 2019

AFC Wimbledon suffered late heartbreak tonight with an injury-time winner from Kayden Jackson securing all three points for Ipswich Town.

Wimbledon had threatened to win it through a first-half goal from Nesta Guinness-Walker, but late goals from James Norwood and Jackson earned a 2-1 win for the hosts at Portman Road.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the 667 travelling Dons fans that provided brilliant support on the night. Certainly, it was a very good Wimbledon away display for the majority of this match, before Wally's boys paid the ultimate price for late defensive lapses.

Wally Downes made just one change to his starting line-up and it involved a recall for Kwesi Appiah, who replaced Joe Pigott in the starting line-up. The Dons were aiming for a first victory this season after just coming up short of that target against Accrington Stanley on Saturday. Ipswich had brought in Spurs winger Anthony Georgiou on the eve of this game, but he had to settle for a place on the bench.

The Dons started with a 4-4-2 formation at Portman Road. Nesta Guinness-Walker was pushed forward to left midfield with Rod McDonald reverting to left-back. The hosts pushed forward from the outset, but Wimbledon looked very organised at the back and defended resolutely. Indeed, the first time you could hear the home fans raise the decibel levels came midway through the half when James Norwood raced through the middle onto a through ball, but he was ruled offside. At the other end, Michael Folivi looked sharp in attack and he almost got in on goal, but he was just stopped in his tracks by an Ipswich defender.

Wimbledon had offered little as an attacking force in the first half hour. Rod McDonald shot over from distance and good approach play came to nothing, but it was the same at the other end really. It took until the 35^th minute for the hosts to threaten. That came when Cole Skuse was first to reach a corner, but his effort was well gathered by Nathan Trott. The on-loan West Ham keeper made an even better save a minute later. Andre Dozzell sent through a wonderful defence-splitting pass to pick out Norwood running through the middle, but Trott spread himself well to get an outstretched arm to the striker’s deft chip.

Trott’s superb goalkeeping meant even more in the 41^st minute when Wimbledon snatched the lead in fine style. Folivi showed good composure to hold off Ipswich defenders, before picking out Guinness-Walker on the left and he produced a fantastic angled strike that arrowed into the top corner, leaving Ipswich keeper Tomas Holy with no chance. Wimbledon held the lead until half-time and it had been an impressive away performance so far from Wally’s boys. Ipswich had been restricted to very little and Wimbledon had been clinical at the other end when it mattered.

Far from settling for just the one, Wimbledon pushed on at the start of the second-half and had opportunities to double the advantage. Guinness-Walker continued to take the game to Ipswich and his cross picked out Folivi in the box, but he was just unable to divert the ball towards goal. Then Anthony Hartigan sent over a great cross that Paul Kalambayi got on the end of, but his header was just over the crossbar.

After a fine start to the second-half by Wimbledon, pressure from the hosts started to build before the hour mark. Flynn Downes tried his luck from just outside the area, but his shot flashed over the crossbar. Then a dangerous cross from the left was diverted towards his own goal by Paul Kalambayi, but Nathan Trott stayed alert to gather at his near post. Downes again shot over as Ipswich built up attacking momentum and Wimbledon retreated deeper. Norwood found space on the right and sent over a cross that no one was able to get on the end of when it needed just a touch.

Wally Downes made his first change with 19 minutes to play with Mitch Pinnock replacing Michael Folivi. The on-loan Watford striker had produced a tireless shift up front and claimed the assist for Wimbledon, setting up Guinness-Walker superbly. His exit was deservedly applauded by the travelling Dons contingent. Kwesi Appiah had also pulled his weight up front, in tandem with Folivi, as Wimbledon offered moments of fleeting danger.

Ipswich pressure steadily increased as we approached the last 10 minutes and the home faithful were celebrating the equaliser in the 81^st minute. A corner was swung in from the left to the back post and James Norwood headed home. Considering how well Wimbledon had defended throughout, it was a disappointing goal to concede from a set-piece.

It appeared that Wimbledon had done enough to earn a creditable point, but a ball was launched through and Jackson latched onto it to strike home the winner, The Dons paying the price for failing to deal with a routine ball through the middle.

AFC Wimbledon: Nathan Trott, Luke O’Neill, Rod McDonald, Terell Thomas, Scott Wagstaff, Anthony Hartigan, Kwesi Appiah (Joe Pigott), Michael Folivi (Mitch Pinnock), Nesta Guinness-Walker, Paul Kalambayi, Callum Reilly.

Pic credit: Nigel Keene, Pro Sports Images.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Ipswich: Match day guide includes how to get your ticket

Tickets available on the day from away turnstiles

19 August 2019

The trip to Portman Road on Tuesday night will be a new ground for many of us, so we’ve published a guide for your visit to Ipswich Town.

Thanks to information from Ipswich, the guide below includes ticket, travel, and parking information, plus where to get your pre-match pint before the game!

Tickets

This match is not all-ticket, and you can pay on the night. However, advance tickets are still available from our online ticket shop until 11.00 am on Tuesday morning. Tickets ordered in advance can be collected from the away ticket office (located next to the away turnstiles at Portman Road). If you ordered your ticket online before last Thursday and you haven’t received them, please e-mail info@afcwimbledon.co.uk . Tickets ordered after Thursday can be collected at Ipswich Town.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults £27
Concessions (over-65s) £20
Under-23s £14
Under-19s £7

Tickets will be available on the day at turnstiles 10 and 11. These are cash turnstiles with no debit or credit card facilities for away fans. There is no price increase on the day. The Ticket Enquiry Centre in Portman Road (next to the away turnstiles) is open on a matchday to deal with any queries.

Dons fans will be accommodated in the all-seated Cobbold Stand. There are 10 wheelchair bays, each with a seat behind for a carer, located in the East of England Cooperative Stand, which is a mixed area for home and away fans. For information about tickets for wheelchair and ambulant disabled fans, please contact the club on 020 8547 3528.

For disabled fans, Ipswich has 10 radio headsets available to supporters with visual impairments ran through Soccer Sight, who provide dedicated descriptive commentary allowing the supporter to sit anywhere in the stadium. If you would like to reserve headsets or you have any special requirements please contact Ipswich’s Disability Liaison Officer Lee Smith on disability@itfc.co.uk or 01473 400556.

Supporters’ Coach

Places are still available on the supporters' coach. It will leave from opposite South Wimbledon tube station at 2.30 pm and from the Cherry Red Records Stadium at 3.00 pm. The price is £25, and places on the coach can be reserved by contacting the club office on 020 8547 3528.

Location

Ipswich Town Football Club, Portman Road, Ipswich, IP12DA

Club Telephone Number: 01473 400 500

Supporter Liaison Officer: Elizabeth Edwards, slo@itfc.co.uk, 07968 876504, @ITFC_SLO (Twitter)

The stadium is just a short, 5-10 minute, walk to the town centre with shops, cafes, and restaurants. The waterfront area is around a 15-minute walk from the ground, with a yachting marina and a range of cafes and restaurants. Note that the only pub that officially welcomes away fans is the Station Hotel (details below). Many pubs and bars in the town centre are strictly home fans only, whilst others are more relaxed – this does vary from match to match though. Just beyond the town centre, 15 minutes’ walk from the ground, is the beautiful Christchurch Park, with a renowned art gallery within the Tudor mansion building.

Ipswich is currently playing host to Elmer’s Big Parade, a display of 55 individually designed elephants, based on the children’s character, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. Visitors can also meet the ‘Learning Herd’ of 84 young Elmers’ who are displayed in special locations all across town representing schools, youth groups and organisations. The display is in support of St Elizabeth Hospice. If you are interested in doing the trail you can pick up a copy of the Parade Map and Learning Herd or download the app or you could just pick the elephants out as you stroll round town. More information can be found here: https://elmersbigparadesuffolk.co.uk/art-trail/

How to get to the stadium

BY CAR – Note that the A12 will be closed from 9pm to 5am on the evening of the match due to work between junctions 29, the Ardleigh interchange, and junction 30, at Stratford St Mary. The work will include resurfacing and the renewal of road markings and studs. Highways England has announced that whilst the work happens a 20-mile diversion route will be in place - adding 30 minutes to journey times. The diversion is likely to begin at the junction of the A12 and A14 a couple of miles from the town centre, and will take you along the A14 to the A137, where you will head towards Manningtree and on towards Colchester, where you will join the A12 to continue your journey home.

Make your way to the A12 (Junction 28 of the M25) and keep on the A12 to Ipswich.

Unless you live very close to Suffolk, it’s generally recommended to allow at least an hour beyond the AA / Google / Sat Nav suggested journey time from your starting point. Sat Navs vary in their recommended route into town, but whichever way you go, it shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes from the A12 to the ground.

For those without Sat Nav, once you reach the junction of the A12 and A14, just south of Ipswich, take the A1214 (London Road) for a couple of miles into town. As you approach the town centre area, there’s a Sainsbury’s supermarket on the left – at this point, go straight on past Sainsbury’s and then almost immediately right onto West End road. Take the first left (after about half a mile) onto Sir Alf Ramsey Way and you’ve arrived.

Note that the roads immediately behind the Cobbold and Sir Bobby Robson stands are closed about 90 minutes before the game, so to access the NCP car park on Portman Road you will need to continue on London Road, straight on to Handford Road and then turn right at a set of traffic lights onto Portman Road (if you miss the turning, just do a U-turn at the roundabout with Civic Drive, turning back onto Handford Road, then taking the first left into Portman Road).

As noted above, if you are travelling back towards London after the game you will be affected by the diversion on the A12.

BY COACH

Away coaches usually park in the West End Road car park, 5 minutes’ walk from the ground. The Station Hotel (away fans pub – see below) is just a couple of minutes away – go towards the bridge over the river, at the east end of the car park, turn right and you’ll find the pub the other side of the river, right opposite the railway station.

BY TRAIN

For those travelling by train, Ipswich station is only 5 to 10 minutes’ walk from the ground.

The mainline runs out of London Liverpool Street with 2-3 trains per hour, taking roughly 1 hour 15 mins. We’d recommend allowing at least an extra hour for the journey as the mainline is often subject to delays.

If you have a Network Railcard, please note it is only valid as far as Manningtree, so you’ll need to split your ticket and also make sure that you are on a train that actually stops at Manningtree.

There are ticket checks on all mainline trains and ticket barriers at Ipswich.

Whatever your travel plans, it’s worth checking www.greateranglia.co.uk for updated times and any late changes.

After the game, trains leave Ipswich for London Liverpool Street at 21:43 (you will need to leave the game slightly early to make this one), 22:23 and 22:43. Note that the 22:23 and 22:43 arrive in Liverpool Street at 23:48 and 00:03 respectively, which just about connects onto late tube services. If you are travelling beyond central London, do check your connection times for your onward journey.

Parking

There is no official stadium car park, but there is parking all around the ground. The closest is a large NCP on Portman Road (right by the away end), which usually has spaces up to around 45 minutes before kick-off. There’s also a large car park on West End Road (5 minutes’ walk away) and at the railway station (less than 10 minutes). The town centre is less than 10 minutes’ walk, and has numerous car parks, as you’d expect. Being a town centre ground, most streets are controlled (residents only) parking, so free on-road parking tends to be at least a 20-minute walk away. As usual, the car parks nearest the ground are a bit slow to clear after the game – for a quicker exit, use the railway station car park (it’s controlled by cameras, and the pay stations are by the entrance to the station – it costs £5 after 4pm and all day at weekends), and exit left onto Burrell Road / Ranelagh Road (B1075), then (after about a mile) left onto the A1214.

Five car parking spaces are available for visiting disabled supporters. Spaces can be booked by contacting Ipswich Town's Disability Liaison Officer, Lee Smith, on 01473 400556. There is no charge for this parking but note that the spaces are on the opposite side of the stadium to the away turnstiles.

Official Away Pub

The Station Hotel (formerly the Riverside Hotel) is opposite the station, and is the official away pub. It is roomy, has a garden and TV screens, and three beers on handpump from the Greene King stable.

Most pubs immediately around the ground are for home fans only, and few pubs around the town, if any, will welcome groups of away fans, especially wearing away team colours. As always, couples, families and older people will find it a bit easier to slip into a town centre pub for a quiet beer or two. Note that, on a match-by-match basis, police may designate other pubs in the town centre as home fans only. This is more likely nowadays as there have been a number of pub closures in the immediate area around the stadium. In practice, the smaller and the friendlier the away following, the easier it is to enjoy our many great pubs on a matchday.

There is a FanZone marquee and entertainment zone at the stadium, but this is strictly open to home fans only. There are ticket checks at the door.

Cash points

The nearest cash machines to the stadium are a 5-10 minute walk away, (a) at the railway station, (b) at the Cardinal Park leisure zone, and (c) in the town centre itself.

Match day programme

These can be purchased outside the stadium from the blue, tardis-like kiosks. Programmes are 68 pages and cost £3.50. Programmes are not for sale inside the ground.

Security

As at most away grounds, you can expect to be searched prior to entering the ground. Ipswich Town also uses a trained search dog and some stewards now wear body cameras.

Bags

Large bags will not be permitted to be taken into the stadium. By way of guidance, nothing larger than a standard carrier bag will be allowed. There are no facilities to leave bags.

Seating

Portman Road is a traditional ground, with 4 separate stands. The away end is blocks V1 and V2 of the Cobbold Stand. This gives you a good side-stand upper-tier view of the action. The Cobbold stand is an older stand, dating from the 1970s.

Ambulant disabled fans will be seated within block S of the lower tier of the Cobbold Stand. As we do not have wheelchair spaces in the Cobbold Stand, wheelchair users will be located with home fans.

Flags/banners - Subject to space, flags and banners are allowed in the away end. These will need to be fire certificated. For questions relating to this, contact Mick Warden on mick.warden@itfc.co.uk.

Musical instruments and selfie sticks

Musical instruments and selfie sticks are not allowed in the away end.

Pushchairs

Pushchairs are not allowed into the stadium. No storage is available so they will need to be left in your car.

Stamp It Out

Ipswich Town Football Club takes a zero-tolerance stance on any form of racial, homophobic or prejudiced behaviour. Supporters can report any incident instantly that they feel needs attention by texting the anonymous ‘Stamp it Out’ number on 07834 439429 (standard text rate applies). All reports will be handled in the strictest confidence. You can also report any discrimination or anti-social behaviour to Kick it Out using the Kick It Out app which is available to download from the App Store or Google Play, or via: Facebook /kickitoutofficial; Twitter @kickitout; e-mail info@kickitout.org; phone 0800 169 9414.

Ticket News

AFC Wimbledon

Standings

Preview: Wally on the challenge at Ipswich tonight

Last-gasp goal defeats Wimbledon at Ipswich

Ipswich: Match day guide includes how to get your ticket

Ipswich: Tickets & Travel