Johnnie ‘surprised’ by Ronan decision ahead of Stockport

Appeal to overturn red card unsuccessful

31 March 2024

Johnnie Jackson remains determined to get a positive result at Edgeley Park tomorrow, even though we’ll have to do it without Ronan Curtis.

Our Republic of Ireland international winger was shown a red card in the second half of Good Friday’s draw with Harrogate Town for a foul on Levi Sutton. Our appeal has since been unsuccessful, meaning that Ronan is ruled out for three games.

Johnnie said: “We are extremely surprised and disappointed with the decision not to overturn the red card and will be voicing our concerns to the director of referees.”

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Focusing on the trip to Stockport, Johnnie outlined what it will take to get a win at the leaders, as we go all out for the points in an increasingly tight battle for an end of season play-off place.

“We’ll take the game to them,” said Johnnie. “We’re going there to try and win – it’s not about trying to nick something.

“I feel that if we set up right and are bang at it, then we can mix it with anyone. I think we’ve shown that. We have to go there with the right mindset to win the game, but knowing that we’re going to have to dig deep, work hard, and be absolutely committed to get anything.

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Josh Davison is pictured giving us the lead, in the 2-1 defeat to Stockport at Plough Lane earlier this season.

“We’ve got to be hardworking, well organised and diligent. We’ll have to suffer at times, knowing that they’ll put us under pressure, but we’re capable of dealing with that. You can also get it really wrong there and they can hurt you, if you don’t get it right.

“They’ve got their ambitions to finish in the automatic promotion places and we’ve got ours to get into the play-offs, so there’s loads riding on the game. It’s the same for both teams and I’m sure that’ll be reflected."

While the game will be deprived of one of League Two’s most exciting players, in the absence of Ronan, Stockport will have another who we know all about in Connor Lemonheigh-Evans.

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Having impressed while on loan to us this season, he returned to Stockport and claimed the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award in League Two for January. He’s also since figured in the Sky Bet League Two team of the week on numerous occasions – his latest inclusion coming this weekend.

“We’d have loved to have Connor with us, but we won’t be wishing him too much goodwill on Monday!” added Johnnie.

“He was brilliant for us. We had a really good time together and a great relationship with him. I’m sure he’ll be wanting us to do well, just not on Monday – and the same goes from us, just not when it comes down to this game.”

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“We saw what Stockport did last season and even though ultimately, they didn’t go up through the play-offs themselves, missing out in the final – I liked what I saw.

“We recruited both Ryan Johnson and Joe Lewis from them eventually and I’m sure those two will be desperate to play against their old club.”

If you can’t make the game tomorrow afternoon, you can purchase a video match pass and access full commentary from our Radio WDON team by clicking on the link below:

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Photos: Pro Sports Images.

Match Reports

Dons lose out to league leaders

Defeat at Edgeley Park

1 April 2024

The Dons were edged out late on as Stockport County narrowly came away as 1-0 winners.

For the best part of 85 minutes, Wimbledon kept the league leaders firmly at bay, limiting them to very little in our area.

Nevertheless, we were made to pay for passing up our best chance of the game – with James Tilley missing from the penalty spot – as Odin Bailey scored a stunner from distance late on.

This meant that our brilliant defensive efforts counted for nothing in a game that could have a big say on the race for the play-offs.

The aim now will be to harness the team work on show and add goals into the mix, with the need for being clinical growing larger and larger by the match.

Johnnie Jackson made two changes to the side which drew against Harrogate Town last time out, with James Tilley and Joe Lewis replacing Ronan Curtis (suspended) and Jake Reeves. These changes saw Alex Pearce and Isaac Ogundere take their places amongst the substitutes.

Our lack of recognised central midfield options saw John-Joe O’Toole move forward alongside James Ball, playing a role he became accustomed to earlier in his career at Northampton Town and Bristol Rovers.

With Stockport playing a fairly high line, our best route to goal appeared to be utilising the pace of John-Kymani Gordon and Josh Neufville in behind, whilst the overall height of our side also made attacking set pieces a potential weapon.

Wimbledon were handed a golden chance to take the lead just south of the 35th minute as Omar Bugiel was felled in the area, but Tilley could only strike the resulting spotkick against the outside of the post.

It wasn’t to be from the spot and as a result the game was left finely poised as we headed into a second-half which could have a big effect on the seasons of both clubs.

Set pieces continued to seemingly be our best route to goal, and Neufville did go close with an effort from the edge of the area after breezing past three defenders.

Johnnie threw on Josh Kelly and Aron Sasu for the final 20 minutes of the contest, sensing that we could walk away with more than a point for our efforts.

As the game ticked into the final 10 minutes, it became more and more clear that only one goal would be needed for three points to be taken. And it was to be the home side who got the all important goal as Odin Bailey bent in an unstoppable strike after coming inside off the right.

We introduced Josh Davison for Jack Currie in response as the minutes continued to tick away. However, as with the theme of the game, there was little in the way of clear-cut chances in added time, meaning we came away empty-handed.

AFC Wimbledon: Alex Bass, Kofi Balmer, Ryan Johnson, James Tilley, Josh Neufville (Aron Sasu), James Ball, Omar Bugiel, John-Joe O’Toole, Jack Currie (Josh Davison), Joe Lewis, John-Kymani Gordon (Josh Kelly)

Attendance: 9,550 (390 away)

PICS: John Bradley (Pro Sports Images)

Match Reports

Ticket News

Stockport: Tickets & Travel for next away fixture

Buy in advance for Bank Holiday clash

27 March 2024

Our next away game is at Stockport County on Easter Monday and tickets for this fixture can be purchased in advance.

The game at Edgeley Park on 1 April (3 pm kick-off) is our third to last away day of the season - and your support will be greatly appreciated against a side vying for automatic promotion.

We've currently sold 275 tickets for this match, but there's still time to join the travelling Dons in Greater Manchester!

We're running a supporters' coach for this game, with places still available, and more details are further down this page.

Due to the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, we strongly advise supporters to select the option online to collect (either from our stadium, or at Stockport on the day), rather than to request that tickets are posted out.

But from our online ticket shop

Ticket prices are as follows: