Preview: Dons seek another important win against Southend

Quotes from both camps and a recap of previous battles

23 November 2018

AFC Wimbledon started the year with a victory at home to Southend United and Interim Manager Simon Bassey will be aiming to guide the Dons to another important win against The Shrimpers.

That 2-0 win on January 1 set Wimbledon on the way to a productive month in the battle to stay up and the Dons are in greater need of the points this time around.

Visitors Southend United will arrive off the back of an impressive 6-2 victory at League Two Crawley Town in their FA Cup first round replay in midweek. It’s a different story in the league though, as Chris Powell’s side haven’t won a match for a month and are 14th in the table, having lost several players to long-term injuries.

The points were shared between the two sides last season, as Southend claimed a 1-0 victory at Roots Hall in September 2017, before Wimbledon’s win in January at the Cherry Red Records Stadium (the picture above shows Tom Soares scoring in that match).

Below are quotes from both camps, plus stats, team news, and a recap of previous matches:

Simon Bassey

“Southend are probably still searching for their fittest team because they’ve had injuries and suspensions. The manager is trying to juggle things around to find the right balance again. I’ve been to watch them live twice. I went to watch their game against Crawley the day after our match against Haringey and I watched them on Tuesday night.

“I’m fully aware of their strengths and hopefully we can find some areas where we can open them up and cause some problems. Chris is a really good guy. I have a lot of respect for him as he’s a real football man. I must have known Chris for 20-odd years and anyone who has met him will tell you what a gentleman he is. I look forward to seeing him and his staff, but hopefully we are the victorious ones at the end of it.

“I think it’s important during the run we are in that we don’t just focus on the negatives and we take the positives out of it as well, because I think there were a few at Doncaster. We addressed those as well because you don’t keep hitting people with sticks. We addressed the negatives, encouraged the positives and we’ve done sessions that will hopefully make those positives a more common theme in our play. We move forward in good spirits.

“We have to face the situation we are in head-on. We go into it in good spirits because ultimately people will work better and give more for you when that’s the case. We are approaching the next game in a positive frame of mind and we hope to get three points from it.”

Andy Barcham

“It’s good to be back. It’s never nice to be injured, but it’s not nice looking at the team and wanting to help at a difficult time, but you can’t. It’s obviously been frustrating, but I’m happy to be back and I’m looking to contribute. I am working hard in training to get my match fitness levels where they need to be. I came on against Doncaster and I’m looking to get some more game-time to contribute to the team.”

“I need to get back playing, get my fitness back up, and start contributing. Obviously, that will come in the shape of goals and assists. I will be looking to contribute in any way I can, but that’s the case for everyone. We are all looking to improve our levels, increase what we are doing, in order to get the results we need. If I can chip in with a few goals that will be great, but the main thing is helping the team to go forward.

Chris Powell

“Wimbledon is always a tricky place to go to, even more now because Simon Bassey is in interim charge and he is someone that I know well, I’m sure that he would have been there on Tuesday, and I know that he saw us play Crawley at Roots Hall.

“They haven’t been on a great run lately and they know that. They’ve lost a good man in Neal Ardley. I liked the way he works, but unfortunately he’s moved on. As always, we need to look at it as an opportunity to bounce back in the league and do our best to take three points away from home.”

Team news

There are no fresh injury concerns for Wimbledon, but forward James Hanson (calf) and defender Tyler Garratt (knee) are both still sidelined.

Southend defender Harry Lennon suffered a broken leg just under a month ago. Forward Tom Hopper was also ruled out, at the end of October, for nine months, after surgery on a ruptured ACL. Defender Ben Coker will miss the rest of the season, having ruptured two knee ligaments.

Previous meeting

1 January, 2018

Sky Bet League One

AFC Wimbledon 2, Southend United 0

Highlights of Wimbledon’s victory over the Shrimpers from earlier this year are available below, via our official YouTube channel.

Form guide (last six in all competitions)

AFC Wimbledon - LWWLLL

Southend United - WLWDLL

Top scorers

AFC Wimbledon – Joe Pigott (6)

Southend United – Simon Cox and Tom Hopper (7 each)

Last time out

League One - Doncaster Rovers 2, AFC Wimbledon 1.

FA Cup, Replay – Crawley Town 2, Southend United 6.

Tickets

All seat tickets are sold out, but we do still have places available for the Chemflow terrace and the RyGas Stand (just £17 for adults). You can buy in advance from our online ticket shop up until 11.00 am on Saturday (collection is pre-match from the white booth in Jack Goodchild Way). Alternatively, tickets will be available to buy on the day for the terraces.

Live commentary

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

Match Previews

Match Reports

Pinnock strikes again to earn a first league win since September

Dons secure a deserved victory against Southend United

24 November 2018

Mitch Pinnock was on target for the third match in succession to help AFC Wimbledon to a first league victory since 29 September.

It had been a long time coming with the last league win against Oxford feeling like a lifetime ago, but the Dons were full value for the 2-1 victory.

It rewarded an impressive fightback from the Dons after Southend had taken the lead in just the eighth minute and it was a real credit to Interim Manager Simon Bassey who has steered the ship at a difficult time for the club.

Simon selected an unchanged starting line-up for this match after the narrow defeat at Doncaster last time out. There was only one change to the squad with Tennai Watson named on the substitutes’ bench instead of Toby Sibbick.

There was an early warning for Wimbledon when Theo Robinson managed to get in behind, but Joe McDonnell reacted well to save at his near post. However, there was no reprieve for the Dons in the eighth minute with Southend breaking the deadlock. It came after Wimbledon had a great chance to open the scoring at the other end with Kwesi Appiah holding the ball up well and picking out Mitch Pinnock on the edge of the area, but he blazed over with only the keeper to beat. Just seconds later and it was 1-0 to Southend with the ball quickly worked to Stephen Hendrie on the left and his cross was deflected in by Liam Trotter for an own goal.

Wimbledon responded well to the early setback with promising approach play, but yet again the end product was lacking. A slick Dons move ended with Pinnock and Appiah combining to set-up the overlapping Deji Oshilaja, but he shot over the crossbar from an acute angle. Wimbledon had plenty of possession after falling behind, but Southend defended resolutely. The Dons also attempted to utilise long throws from Pinnock, a more than useful attacking weapon, but Southend held firm at the back. Simon Bassey was forced into a change in the 43^rd minute. With Appiah injured, Joe Pigott was introduced and he received a warm reception from Southend supporters after scoring a vital goal for the Shrimpers in the play-off final at Wembley.

Despite having plenty of the first 45 minutes, it looked like Wimbledon would go in 1-0 down at the break, but the equaliser arrived in injury-time. Pinnock sent over a superb cross from the left and it was diverted into the back of the net by Southend’s Stephen Hendrie. No one in blue and yellow cared about the manner of the goal scored as what really mattered was that the Dons were level at a vital time in this match.

Following a slow start to the second-half, it really came to life just before the hour. Southend pressed for a second goal and it needed Joe McDonnell to grasp a shot from Robinson at the second attempt. However, Wimbledon, with the fans making plenty of noise, started to show encouraging signs of conjuring up a winner. Pinnock was causing plenty of problems down the right and he sent over an excellent delivery from the right that was begging to be finished off, but no one was able to get on the end of it. Anthony Wordsworth was also proving to be a useful attacking weapon and he produced a good run that ended with a shot over the crossbar.

With 20 minutes to go, Wimbledon were celebrating the goal that was deserved on the balance of play since Southend’s opening goal. Pinnock, who enjoyed such an impressive second-half, turned inside and curled in a delightful cross that missed everyone, but this time it found the far corner of the net. Whether he meant it or not, it was a goal to savour at such an important time for Wimbledon. You could sense the relief among the home support as they watched the Dons close in on a much-needed victory.

There was no sign of Wimbledon sitting on the slender lead and the Dons almost sealed victory 13 minutes from time. Following a goalmouth scramble, Joe Pigott cracked against a post from close-range and Southend just managed to clear the ball. In a finale to this game when Southend never looked like striking back, Pigott had another effort cleared off the line. However, two was enough on the day to earn a vital three points for the Dons.

AFC Wimbledon: Joe McDonnell, Ben Purrington, Deji Oshilaja, Will Nightingale, Scott Wagstaff, Kwesi Appiah (Joe Pigott), Mitch Pinnock (Andy Barcham), Liam Trotter, Tom Soares, Rod McDonald, Anthony Wordsworth (Anthony Hartigan).

Pic credit: Matt Redman, Pro Sports Images.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Match Details: Tickets left for the Dons v Southend

Watch the Dons in League One action against The Shrimpers

23 November 2018

AFC Wimbledon's final home game of November is against Southend United on Saturday and tickets are still available to show your support for the Dons.

Interim Manager Simon Bassey will be aiming to guide Wimbledon to just a second home league victory this season, as the boys seek valuable League One points to start climbing the table.

It was honours even last season in matches between the two teams and a repeat of the 2-0 home win in January will be most welcome!

The picture above shows Mitch Pinnock celebrating his winning goal in the FA Cup two weeks ago and he will be aiming to score in a third successive game tomorrow.

Below is a summary of ticket availability and other match arrangements, ahead of the game:

Tickets

Rainbow Laces campaign

As part of our support for LGBT fans, Wimbledon players and staff will wear rainbow laces to promote the message. Rainbow substitution boards and corner flags will also be used for this fixture. For more information about the national campaign to support LGBT inclusivity, please see the Stonewall website. You can also buy merchandise from Stonewall's website to promote the message.

Auction

The conclusion of the popular annual silent auction takes place in the Your Golf Travel Bar from 12.30 pm until 2.15 pm on Saturday before the game. There's been a very positive response from supporters online in the build-up to this live finale. Please see our previous article for more information, including bids received so far, and you can still bid online until 12 midnight. All funds raised will be donated to the club.

Christmas toy appeal

We need your help! Our first-team squad will be visiting children at St George's Hospital and Shooting Star House Children's Hospice armed with Wimbledon merchandise. However, to make their Christmas extra special we need toy donations from our wonderful fans. Toys and cash donations can be made before Saturday's game (next to the Dons Trust Kiosk) between 1.00 pm and 2.45 pm. Please see our previous announcement for more details.

Bars

The Your Golf Travel Bar will be open from 12 noon tomorrow with a wide selection of drinks available, including real ales. Plough Lane Ale, Gallows Gold (Park Brewery), and XXK will be served, offering a treat for ale lovers. The Back Bar will also be open from the same time with Plough Lane Ale, Wimbledon Common, and XXK served.
The early televised match between Rotherham and Sheffield United will be shown on TV screens in the bars from 12.30 pm. Following the Wimbledon match, you can also watch the Premier League clash between Spurs and Chelsea at 5.30 pm.

The Turnstile Bar (open from 12.00 noon) will be selling plastic bottled beer, cider and soft drinks. Beer and cider bottles will be available for £3.50 per bottle or two for £6! This is situated next to the club shop. With the temperatures starting to plummet, you can warm yourself up by sampling Mulled Cider, which will be served in the Turnstile Bar and the back bar.

There will be one pop-up bar inside the Your Golf Travel Bar and the Wimbledon Brewery pop-up bar (outside the back bar) will also be open. Wimbledon Gold Lager and Wimbledon Pale Ale will be available from this bar. We will be pleased to welcome Southend supporters into the bar areas on Saturday before the game.

Programme

Packed with news, features, and key information about your club, the Southend edition is available at the usual price of £3. It features a main interview with Scott Wagstaff, who talks about using his wealth of experience to help the Dons come through a difficult time. Also included is an interview with Adam Barrett, who played for both AFC Wimbledon and Southend United during his career.

Tickets for away games

Supporters can buy tickets for the matches at Peterborough, Chelsea (Checkatrade Trophy), and Charlton before tomorrow's game from the complimentary tickets window and for a short time after the game. You can also book your place on the supporters' coach for the Emirates FA Cup tie at FC Halifax with free travel offered to all fans.

Ticket News

AFC Wimbledon

Standings

Preview: Dons seek another important win against Southend

Pinnock strikes again to earn a first league win since September

Match Details: Tickets left for the Dons v Southend

Southend Hospitality: Last few spaces left

Tickets: Southend at home next Saturday

Southend Hospitality tickets on sale now