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First team coach benefitting from working with Johnnie and Terry

16 August 2022

Rob Tuvey believes that there are clear signs of progress being made under our new manager Johnnie Jackson.

We set off for this evening’s encounter at Mansfield still unbeaten in League Two and our first-team coach was encouraged by the response at Monday’s training session after the squad let victory slip through their fingers on Saturday.

“There have been lots and lots of positives,” said Rob. “Obviously, it’s been very frustrating this past week to concede late goals and we can’t get away from that, but we see that we are improving all the time. Especially with the detail that has gone into trying to give us the identity that we want. We're really seeing that coming together."

“As a team, we have to hurt after Saturday’s draw with Doncaster. It was in our hands and we were frustrated with the end of the game, so we have to be frustrated as a team. Since Nathan Young-Coombes has come in, he has shown a great work ethic and a real understanding and he wants to get better every day. We’re really pleased with him, Paris Maghoma, and all the young players so far.

“I’m really enjoying it and learning all the time. The gaffer has given me license to get on the grass and put some ideas out as well, so I’m loving it so far and I can’t speak more highly of the gaffer and Skivo since they’ve come in. They’ve brought a real fresh approach to it, and you can see around the place that we’re all really together and a close unit.”

Mansfield have been beaten at early pacesetters Salford City and Leyton Orient, but they contain a threat and a familiar face known to all of us.

“They’re a really good side,” added Rob. “They were unfortunate in the play-offs last season. We watched their game on Saturday and they were unfortunate not to come away with anything. They dominated large parts of the game, so we know the task that we have and we’ve got to try and impose ourselves and hopefully come away with three points."

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“Anthony Hartigan has been a great servant to this football club and someone who came through our Academy - we’re all very proud of him. For 90 minutes on Tuesday though, we will try to make sure he doesn’t enjoy it and then afterwards we will wish him all the best for the season.”

While we have no fresh injury concerns for the game, several long-term injured players are starting out on the way back to full fitness. Young defenders Huseyin Biler (knee), Josh Hallard (ankle) and Luke Jenkins (hamstring), plus midfielder Alex Woodyard (calf), are all in the early stages of their recoveries.

You can see the full interview with Rob Tuvey below, via the link to our official YouTube channel.

Match Reports

Ten-men Dons well beaten

A tough night for Wimbledon

16 August 2022

Johnnie Jackson’s side were dealt a big lesson at the One Call Stadium on Tuesday night as Mansfield Town ran out as 5-2 winners.

Despite the full-time scoreline it was the Dons who burst out the traps on the night, with Josh Davison scoring a well-taken brace as his blossoming partnership with Nathan Young-Coombes really started to click.

However, things changed very quickly from that point onwards as Mansfield got themselves back into the game through Rhys Oates’ penalty. As the pressure grew, Wimbledon’s composure began to waver and in the end it proved to be too much to deal with as the Stags equalised through George Lapslie’s header.

Just as it appeared that things couldn’t get any worse for our side, disaster struck, with Chris Gunter being shown a red card for a push on Stephen Quinn.

Goals from George Maris, Riley Harbottle and Will Swan then swept the Stags into the lead and it was a very difficult second-half for the Dons.

Wimbledon’s Achilles heel of giving away leads sadly struck again and now the task will be to bounce back on Saturday as we make the trip to Crawley Town.

Jackson made one change to the side that drew 2-2 with Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, with Young-Coombes' double blast on Saturday earning a start in place of Ethan Chislett.

There was a heavy downpour prior to kick-off, but the Dons were quickly into their stride on the rain-sodden pitch. And it didn’t take long for our side to hit the front in some style. Young-Coombes received the ball in space and knocked it in behind for Josh Davison, who raced clear and took one look up, before blasting the ball almost through Christy Pym in the Mansfield goal.

It was a blistering start from Wimbledon and there was no lack of flair too, stroking the ball around well with plenty of confidence. A second goal quickly followed.

The infectious Jack Currie seized on a loose ball in centre field before laying it out to Young-Coombes, as the striker peeled wide. He then picked out his strike partner Davison in the area, with the number nine bundling home a terrific diving header to double his tally.

The Dons were then quickly brought back down to earth just after the half-hour mark. The referee pointed to the penalty spot after Jack Currie was adjudged to have fouled his man. Oates then stepped up to send Nik Tzanev the wrong way.

Within an instant it was then almost two-a-piece. This time a low delivery came in from the right wing, with Oates somehow managing to clear the crossbar from barely a yard out, as Wimbledon looked to regain composure.

However, our side wouldn’t be let off so lightly the next time the hosts came forward as the Stags levelled the scores. Another delivery came in from the right with Lapslie being left unmarked to head home from close-range.

Things then went from bad to worse for the Dons as Gunter was shown a straight red card for pushing Quinn, who had struck the ball at the head of our Welsh full-back while he was on the floor. Quinn's actions were only deemed to be worthy of a yellow card.

Jackson introduced Isaac Ogundere at the start of the second-half in order to make up for the loss of Gunter as Young-Coombes was replaced, meaning that a back four was maintained with Currie moving into midfield.

It mattered little as Mansfield took the lead for the first time on the night. A low cross found its way to Maris who saw his effort deflected into the bottom left corner, leaving Tzanev with little chance.

It was becoming an even bigger mountain to climb for the Dons and soon enough the deficit was increased. This time a corner was swung in from the left hand side with Riley Harbottle rising highest to power home a header that all but finished the game as a contest.

Swan then added a fifth from close-range to compound our misery on a night to forget for Wimbledon.

AFC Wimbledon: Nik Tzanev, Will Nightingale, Alex Pearce (Paul Kalambayi), Lee Brown, Chris Gunter, Jack Currie (David Fisher), George Marsh, Paris Maghoma, Nathan Young-Coombes (Isaac Ogundere), Ayoub Assal (Ethan Chislett), Josh Davison (Quaine Bartley)

PICS: Paul Thompson (Pro Sports Images)

Ticket News

Update for Mansfield away

Book in advance or pay on the day

15 August 2022

We're gearing up for our first midweek away day of the season - and there's still time for you to join us.

We'll be making our first trip to Mansfield in seven years, so come and join the Dons travelling army on the road to Nottinghamshire!

Tickets can be purchased in advance from our online ticket shop until 8.00 am on Tuesday morning. However, that's not the final chance to get your ticket as you can buy on the night before the game (cash only - from the white ticket booth). Ticket collections will also be from the same location at Mansfield.

Advance ticket prices for the match are as follows: