Tans in contention for Stevenage test

Johnnie's update from Friday's training session

14 April 2023

Johnnie Jackson will make a late choice on who’ll figure in goal for tomorrow’s short journey to Hertfordshire to face Stevenage.

New Zealand international Nik Tzanev returned on the bench for Easter Monday’s injury-time defeat at home to Salford City. He trained at our New Malden base today and is in contention, along with Nathan Broome who saved a penalty late on.

Young goalkeeper Spike Brits, who helped England under-16s to tournament success in France over the weekend, also worked with the group.

“Broomy has done well since he came into the team,” said Johnnie. “Nik is the first-choice goalie, so we’ll assess matters and then make the call on who plays.

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“Aaron Pierre had to come off feeling his thigh, we’ve had to look after him since. We’ll make a late call on him. Everyone else has come through the week, but those with long-term injuries are still unavailable to us.”

Johnnie spoke about our approach to Saturday afternoon’s game at the Lamex Stadium, against a side fighting to go straight up. Ali Ali-Hamadi scored twice, but we were edged out 3-2 when we last met Stevenage at home at the end of February.

“Those two games over Easter weren’t a reflection of the games that I watched,” said Johnnie. “They reflected the last five minutes, but I have to wear that. We must find ways of dealing with it.

“There’s a lot of good things going on at this football club, not only on the pitch for long periods. Behind-the-scenes we’re moulding and shaping it to how we want.

“The feelings of hurt that we’ve had and the times that we’ve suffered this season won’t be in vain, they won’t be for nothing. As a football club, we’ve learnt a hell of a lot over two years and what’s required to achieve success."

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On tomorrow’s tough challenge at the Lamex, Johnnie said: “Stevenage are a tough outfit to play against. They’re good at what they do and there’s a certain style that they play that makes it very difficult for their opponents. They put you under pressure with a lot of forward play and they’re very strong on set-pieces, long throws, and things like that.

“Ultimately, that was our undoing last time, but again in that game I felt we more than matched them and walked away with what we didn’t deserve. There’ll be more of the same from them, as they’re still well in the hunt for an automatic promotion place.

“They’ll be fired up for a big home game and it’ll be a big test for us, but a great test for us – especially coming off the back of two difficult results to take. It’ll be something for us to really get our teeth into.”

Listen in full below to Manager Johnnie Jackson at the training ground on Friday, via our official YouTube channel.

Match Reports

Wimbledon errors punished

Defeat at the Lamex Stadium

15 April 2023

AFC Wimbledon were left to rue two costly errors as Stevenage came away as 2-1 winners on Saturday afternoon.

The game got off to the worst possible start for our side inside four minutes as Jordan Roberts was allowed the room to scramble home a free-kick.

However as seen against Salford City, we quickly levelled the scores after going behind as Ali Al-Hamadi finished brilliantly across Thimothee Lo-Tutala.

After a well-matched first period, there was hope that we could look to press for a winner – however old habits rose their head once more as Jack Currie’s mistimed header back to goal was duly punished by Jamie Reid’s lob. It proved to be decisive as Wimbledon's hard work from the first-half was undone.

Johnnie Jackson made four changes to the side which lost out 3-2 to Salford City as Nik Tzanev, Chris Gunter, Lee Brown and Saikou Janneh came in for Nathan Broome, Isaac Ogundere, Aaron Pierre and Sam Pearson. Meanwhile Quaine Bartley and Alfie Bendle returned to the bench.

It was a disaster of a start for the Dons as Stevenage took an early lead. A free-kick was floated into the area, before it was then headed across for Roberts to finish from close range.

Nevertheless we were quickly level, as the man of the moment increased his tally for the season. A ball found its way to Al-Hamadi, who got the ball out of his feet, turned and fired home into the far corner.

There was then an excellent show of defending from Diallang Jaiyesimi, who put in a crucial sliding challenge in his own box to ensure Boro didn’t retake the lead. The returning Tzanev also showed good commandment of his penalty box to punch clear another dangerous delivery.

Wimbledon then had two chances in quick succession as Will Nightingale and Kasey McAteer were both narrowly off target with their efforts following a good ball in by Brown. The chances finished off what was an even first-half.

It was the hosts who retook the lead after a largely uneventful first 15 minutes. A header back from Currie proved to be too weak, allowing Jamie Reid to run through unopposed and lob Tzanev.

It left our side shellshocked heading into the final quarter. In response the Dons introduced Bartley from the bench, as we sought a way back into the game. Al-Hamadi was inches away from having the last laugh in added on time as he got on the end of a long throw, but his effort was inches wide of the post.

AFC Wimbledon: Nik Tzanev, Chris Gunter, Lee Brown, Alex Woodyard (Quaine Bartley), Will Nightingale, Saikou Janneh, Diallang Jaiyesimi, Ali Al-Hamadi, Armani Little (George Marsh), Kasey McAteer, Jack Currie (Luke Jenkins)

Attendance: 4,062 (694 away)

PICS: Dennis Goodwin (Pro Sports Images)

Match Reports

Ticket News

Stevenage calling! Away Fan Guide

All you need to know ahead of big match on Saturday

14 April 2023

With almost seven years having passed since our last visit to Stevenage, we felt it was worth pointing you in the right direction for key information to make your matchday run smoothly.

The Dons travel to the Lamex Stadium, a destination that holds fine memories from that previous trip when a 0-0 draw sealed a League Two play-off place on the way to Wembley glory.

It’s also a special day on the road with it being Volunteers’ Away Day, an occasion when we thank all of those fans that do important jobs for free at AFC Wimbledon.

Take a look below at our summary and view a full Matchday Guide as provided by the host club.

Tickets

We’ve so far sold 680 tickets, but there’s still time to join the Dons travelling army!

Buy on the day from Stevenage’s away ticket office (next to their club shop), which will also be the location for collections. We recommend collecting well in advance of kick-off to avoid queuing with this being a high-demand away game. For those supporters who were expecting to receive their tickets in the post, please let us know if you haven’t received them by Friday at noon.

E-mail tickets@afcwimbledon.ltd.uk .

If required, we can request to Stevenage that tickets are reissued so that they are available for collection before the game on Saturday.

Parking

For any supporters travelling by car, unfortunately the normal Fairlands Valley car park opposite the ground will not be available due to a non football event. The host club recommend using the Pay and Display in Stevenage town centre (approximately 25 minutes walk). Parking on nearby residential streets is limited.

Please note that there are strict parking restrictions on the retail parks situated close to the ground and supporter parking is not permitted on matchdays. This is the same with parking on the grass verges near the ground, and the council parking enforcement teams are very active on a matchday!

Food and Drink

There is a Burger King and KFC on the retail parks near the ground and a McDonalds 10 min walk away (towards the town). There is also a Tesco 5 mins walk away on London Road.

For a pint before the game, away supporters are permitted into the Broadhall Suite, which is situated next to the away end. Alternatively there are plenty of pubs in the Old Town High Street in the north end of Stevenage.

Please be advised that this venue is a cashless stadium.