With the fixtures released earlier today, we are taking a look back at memorable matches against each of our opponents for 2020/21.
We start by featuring a game that’s regarded by many supporters as their favourite away day in recent history – the play-off semi-final second leg in 2016.
- Accrington Stanley
Since winning a place in League Two in 2011, the Dons have met Accrington regularly with the Lancashire side generally having the upper hand. However, the crucial 2016 play of semi final encounter went the way of Neal Ardley’s men after a tense night at the Crown Ground.
Wednesday 18th May 2016: League 2 play-off semi-final, second leg
Accrington Stanley (1) 2 Windass (pen) 39, Mingoia 59
AFC Wimbledon (0) 2 Akinfenwa 68, Taylor 104
Forced to come from two down at the hour mark, Lyle Taylor's extra-time strike sent the Dons through to the League Two play-off final after beating Accrington 3-2 on aggregate. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Stanley dominated the early stages and a Josh Windass penalty in the first half was followed by a stunning effort from Piero Mingoia to put the hosts in control. But as they had done so often that season, Neal Ardley’s men simply refused to give up.
A brilliant run and cross from Barry Fuller set the ball up for Adebayo Akinfenwa to head home powerfully and level the aggregate score, before Jake Reeves’ run from his own half and blocked shot set up Taylor to edge the Dons in front. There was still time for a brief stoppage due to broken floodlights and Wimbledon should have added another when Ade Azeez twice went close, but the Dons managed to see the game out to go through to the Wembley final.
“In that season we were never down and out after falling behind in games,” winger Andy Barcham recalled recently. “No matter what happened, we had the belief to get out of it. I certainly felt that - even when we went 2-0 down. We had a belief that we would go through and reach Wembley, no matter what. Once we got the first goal, it felt like the momentum had changed. Then Reevesy made the great run for the second one and Lyle finished it off. It was quite a night after that!”
Roos, Fuller, Robinson, Charles, Kennedy, Rigg (Azeez 65), Reeves, Bulman, Barcham (Beere 99), Elliot (Akinfenwa 59), Taylor.
The picture above shows Andy Barcham celebrating as he is chaired off by supporters after the final whistle at Accrington.
Dons v Stanley (2011 to 2019)
Season Comp H A
2011-12 Lge2 0-2 1-2
2012-13 Lge2 1-2 0-4
2013-14 Lge2 1-1 2-3
2014-15 Lge2 2-1 0-1
2015-16 Lge2 0-0 4-3
2015-16 PO 1-0 2-2
2018-19 Lge1 1-1 1-2
2019-20 Lge1 1-1 1-2
Total W3 D5 L8
This series is written by Stephen Crabtree, the editor of the Historical Don. To sample a copy contact him at stephecrab@aol.com .
Visit our official website home page for the full fixtures for season 2020/21.