Preview: Simon seeks another positive outcome at Doncaster

Quotes from Simon Bassey and a recap of happy memories against Saturday's opponents

16 November 2018

AFC Wimbledon return to the venue where League One safety was secured last season with Interim Manager Simon Bassey seeking another important result.

A draw in Wimbledon's final away game of 2017/18 at Doncaster ensured a third successive campaign in League One and Wimbledon will be aiming to make it a happy hunting ground once again (the picture above shows Andy Barcham celebrating last season's vital point at the Keepmoat Stadium).

Simon's last spell as temporary manager six years ago started with a victory at Wycombe Wanderers, thanks to a winner from Sammy Moore. In his pre-match interview for iFollow, Simon talked positively about rejuvenating a completely different squad, as AFC Wimbledon aim to build on victories in the Checkatrade Trophy and the Emirates FA Cup.

The Dons will come up against a Doncaster side currently occupying 10th place in League One, but Grant McCann's side are without a win in six games in all competitions.

Below are quotes from our Interim Manager, stats, and a recap of previous meetings.

Simon Bassey:

"This week was emotionally challenging at first. I've worked with Neal for so long and I learned so much from him. For him and Coxy to lose their jobs, I take no pleasure from that. It's been an incredibly sad week for a lot of the staff, we've enjoyed some fantastic times together, but football is football, and you have to move on. Everyone moves on and the game doesn't stop.

"There are three huge points up for grabs on Saturday and we had to get into the players to start preparing them for it. We've had a good week's training. With the Friday game we rested at the weekend and had two good training days on Monday and Tuesday. Some really good work went into those days and the players responded brilliantly. We had a day of rest on Wednesday and went through tactical stuff on Thursday. We are pleased with our week so far. We hope, and we will be working really hard, to make sure we're happy with our week's work come Saturday evening.

"I could have re-signed Sammy Moore to put a 35-yarder in the top corner, but he has his own team to take care of now! Someone else has got to step-up this time. We've done lots of work, they've been in good form and in good spirits considering. We've been working really hard on that aspect of the game (scoring goals). We understand where we need to go and what the game is going to entail. The plan is in place and we will work on it again today. We will see where we are with it on Saturday evening.

"Three points are up for grabs on Saturday and we will be trying to get them. It's a long trip for the fans and our away support is fantastic. I remember that we went to Doncaster last year and it was called off. We took a huge amount for the rescheduled game and it was obviously a very important game for the club at that stage. We achieved what we needed to so that we could secure our League One status. It's another time to go to that ground with a big marker to put down and we hope to get what we want come Saturday."

Previous meetings

Doncaster Rovers 0-0 AFC Wimbledon (Tuesday 1 May 2018)

AFC Wimbledon 2-0 Doncaster Rovers (Saturday 26 August 2017)

Second-half goals from Kwesi Appiah and Andy Barcham earned Wimbledon's first victory of the 2017/18 campaign. Click on the link below to view the goals from that game.

Relive the celebrations from AFC Wimbledon fans and players at the Keepmoat Stadium in May by clicking on the link below.

Form guide (last six in all competitions)

Doncaster LDLLLD
AFC Wimbledon WWLLLL

Last time out

Notts County 4-2 Doncaster (Checkatrade Trophy)

Haringey Borough 0-1 AFC Wimbledon (Emirates FA Cup)

Tickets

Dons supporters can pay on the day by purchasing a ticket from the Club Doncaster Academy reception.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults £21
Seniors (60 and over) and 22–24-year-olds £17
18–21-year-olds £13
12–17-year-olds £8
11 and under £5

A guide for supporters

Travelling fans can download this useful guide to provide a detailed plan for your trip to the Keepmoat Stadium.

Live commentary

Tune into our iFollow channel for live coverage of the game with our WDON commentators keeping you up to date with events at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Pinnock on target as Dons slip to defeat

Improved first-half performance, but Wimbledon leave empty-handed

17 November 2018

Wimbledon delivered a much improved first-half performance under Interim Manager Simon Bassey, but slipped to an eighth successive league defeat at Doncaster.

Mitch Pinnock (pictured) deservedly put the Dons in front at the Keepmoat Stadium, but an Ali Crawford free-kick and a rifled low effort from Tommy Rowe wrapped up the points for the home side, as they sealed a 2-1 victory four minutes from time.

Will Nightingale and Rod McDonald returned to the Wimbledon defence, Liam Trotter and Anthony Wordsworth came into midfield, with Terell Thomas, Toby Sibbick, Anthony Hartigan and Joe Pigott dropping to the bench.

Bassey took up his role in the technical area, while his assistant Steven Reid kept a watchful presence by the side of the dugout. Wimbledon settled into their shape and started to move the ball around, but were unable to test Ian Lawlor in the Doncaster goal for the opening quarter of an hour. There was an early blow for the hosts as Mallik Wilks had to come off and was replaced by Alfie May after just 13 minutes.

Wimbledon’s first chance came from an end-to-end movement as Kwesi Appiah teed-up Wordsworth inside the area after twenty minutes. Wordsworth was unable to capitalise on the opportunity as Lawlor got to the ball.

Five minutes later though, Wimbledon’s early efforts were rewarded as Pinnock – who notched the winner at Haringey Borough in the FA Cup just over a week ago – calmly slotted the Dons in front for a deserved lead. Pinnock kept up the pressure by whipping in a free-kick and a corner to test Lawlor and the Doncaster defence again.

Just as Wimbledon were growing in confidence though, Doncaster levelled from a set-piece. Crawford curled the ball from distance past keeper Joe McDonnell to equalise ten minutes before the break. Wimbledon responded again as Scott Wagstaff tested the Doncaster goalkeeper from 25 yards, which Lawlor put behind for a corner.

Wimbledon came under more pressure just before the break and in time added on, but managed to go in at half-time on level terms as the defence held firm under pressure. The Dons had delivered a much improved first-half performance.

The start of the second-half was delayed, due to a drone flying over the stadium. After the resumption Doncaster began with an attacking purpose, but were unable to test McDonnell inside the opening five minutes. With quarter of an hour gone, Grant McCann’s side looked more assured, but Nightingale did well to deal with the threat of striker John Marquis.

James Coppinger and Marquis continued to pose a threat for Doncaster, while Pinnock had a deflected effort just about dealt with by Lawlor at the other end around the midway point of the half. Inside the final quarter, Simon Bassey tried to change the flow of the game, as Andy Barcham and top scorer Joe Pigott replaced Pinnock and Appiah.

With ten minutes remaining, forward Jake Jervis replaced Wordsworth, who had received a yellow card shortly before. McDonnell did well to foil Marquis at close range in the 82^nd minute.

McDonnell could do nothing about substitute Tommy Rowe’s effort with four minutes to go though, as Doncaster came up with ultimately the match-winner. There were appeals for a Wimbledon penalty late on for a foul on Wagstaff, but the start of Bassey’s second spell in temporary charge ended disappointingly in defeat.

AFC Wimbledon: McDonnell, Oshilaja (c), Nightingale, McDonald, Purrington, Wagstaff, Trotter, Soares, Wordsworth (Jervis), Pinnock (Barcham), Appiah (Pigott).

Pic credit: Simon Davies (Pro Sports Images).

Match Reports

Ticket News

Doncaster Rovers: Away Tickets & Hospitality

Ticket, hospitality, coach travel and visiting fan guide for Saturday’s game.

13 November 2018

Calling all away day Dons! Get behind Bassey and the boys this Saturday 17 November, as we travel to Keepmoat Stadium to take on Doncaster Rovers.

This game is not all-ticket, and tickets can be purchased on match day from the Club Doncaster Academy reception. This is also where tickets bought online after 2.00 pm Tuesday 13 November can be collected.

Wimbledon fans will be accommodated in the seated and covered OneCall (North) Stand. This is unreserved seating. You can book tickets in advance from our online ticket shop.

Dons Fans are more than welcome to make their day extra special and join Donny fans in the Legends Club for the full matchday hospitality experience.

Places on the supporters' coach for the trip to the Keepmoat Stadium can also be booked through the club.

Match Tickets

Adults £21
Seniors (60 and over) and 22–24-year-olds £17
18–21-year-olds £13
12–17-year-olds £8
11 and under £5

Hospitality

Welcome drink on arrival
Three-course meal
One hospitality match ticket
Complimentary matchday magazine
£50 plus VAT per person

Call 01302 764665 or email commercial@clubdoncaster.co.uk to book your hospitality experience.

Coach Travel

The supporters' coach will leave from opposite South Wimbledon tube station at 8.30 am and from the Cherry Red Records Stadium at 9.00 am. The price is £28, and seats on the coach can be reserved by contacting the club office on 020 8547 3528 from 9.30 am until 5.00 pm on weekdays.

Disabled Supporters

There are six wheelchair spaces available for away fans at pitch level. Ambulant disabled supporters may sit anywhere, but the lower levels are recommended. Both wheelchair and ambulant disabled fans pay the relevant age-related price with a carer admitted free of charge. Contact the club on 020 8547 3528 for more information.

Away Fans' Guide

All travelling fans can aquaint themselves with their visit to the Keepmoat Stadium by downloading this useful guide. Dons can also keep fully up to date with away fan informaion by keeping tabs on DRFC Away Twitter and DRFC Away Facebook accounts.

AFC Wimbledon

Standings

Preview: Simon seeks another positive outcome at Doncaster

Pinnock on target as Dons slip to defeat

Doncaster Rovers: Away Tickets & Hospitality

Doncaster Rovers: Away Tickets & Coach Travel

Doncaster: tickets & travel for next away league game