Club skipper hopes to lead relegation fight
Mat Mitchel King admitted his first Football League goal at Torquay United was hugely significant for him as he dedicated it to the memory of his mother.
Wimbledon’s club skipper has endured a tough campaign as his mother passed away in November after he had put his early season injury problems behind him.
However, Mat is hoping that 2013 will bring a change of fortunes and the win at Torquay was a great way to start as his strike at Plainmoor was not just his first for Wimbledon, but his first goal in league football – at the age of 29.
Speaking to Dons Player, Mat said: “It was my first ever league goal and I dedicate it to my Mum, who passed away recently. That goal therefore meant a lot to me and it also put us in the driving seat going into half-time. I am just so happy that we went on and won it after they equalised because a draw would have felt like a defeat after everything we had put into it. It is a new year for us now and we want to grind out a few more wins and kick on up the table.
“Saturday’s performance, particularly in the first-half, really hurt us and we wanted to show a reaction for the fans who travelled here, for the management and for ourselves. I thought we did that and we showed all the characteristics that we will need for a side needing to move away from the bottom of the table. We showed that we are ready to dig ourselves out of the hole that we have got ourselves in.”
Mat has had to wait patiently for his chance in defence, but the towering centre-back is now determined to prove that he has the battling qualities to lead Wimbledon’s fight against relegation.
“Will Antwi and Yado Mambo struck up a great partnership and were both playing on merit,” Mat added. “I am so lucky that I got a chance to play with Will being suspended. I am happy with the way that I played. It was just a dogged performance and it was not one for the scrapbook quality-wise. I just want to show the manager what sort of player I am and that I am ready when called upon. If he wants characters in the team during this fight we are going to in, then I want him to know that I am up for it.”
The full video interview with Mat Mitchel-King can be viewed on Dons Player.