AFC WIMBLEDON v LUTON TOWN -- LEAGUE ONE 2018-19 SEASON 27th OCTOBER

AFC Wimbledon vs Luton Town Play Off Final 2011

This weekend the Dons will play host to Luton Town who used to be one of our bogie teams since our non league days until we beat them on penalties in the play off final back in 2011. They are not the big scalp they once were while in the Conference and should be more of an even match this season with both clubs looking to move home soon too.

The Dons are in a really bad run of form losing to several teams in the bottom half as well as others in the relegation zone (Bradford, Plymouth) has meant they have now joined them in the bottom four. Another loss on Tuesday night 2-0 away to Bristol Rovers, another side who were in the bottom six prior to that and I think the calls for Neal Ardley to go will become a lot more vocal. [If he hasn't already gone by Saturday that is.] Three important points will be up for grabs, after the Dons losses in their previous league games a win is looking essential to stop the rot at the bottom end of the league one table. Luton Town come here after a 4-1 win midweek against Accrington Stanley and are currently in 6th place in the league with 25 points to show for their efforts so far, the Dons are at the other end of the current table in 22nd place on 11 points after their run of defeats. 

FORM GUIDE 
(Last 6 matches in the league, starting with most recent)
AFC Wimbledon -- LLLLLW
Luton Town -- WWLWWD




LAST TIME OUT

Bristol Rovers 2 AFC Wimbledon 0
Luton Town 4 Accrington Stanley 1 

Updates will be published with team news and more news as and when it comes through. It's an all ticket match but not expecting this one to sell out by any means due to the poor run of form for the Dons. It is usually well attended although expecting some further train disruption in the Wimbledon and Kingston areas as usual from South Western Railway who are on strike for the next few weekends, perhaps we should sign them up we could do with some experienced strikers now. A big hand for ex-Don and Luton goalkeeper James Shea if he's between the posts here while the Dons have Jake Jervis on loan so unsure if he'll be allowed to play against his parent club today. Luton will be favourites, I suggest you lump on and include them in all accumulators this weekend.

Line Ups (confirmed);

AFC WIMBLEDON

Odds -- 14/5 (William Hill) 

McDonnell (Gk)  Purrington,  Oshilaja (c),  Nightingale,  McDonald,  Wagstaff,  Soares,  Hartigan,  Appiah,  Trotter,  Hanson.

Subs – King (Gk),  Burey,  Pinnock,  Egan,  Watson,  Thomas,  Pigott

LUTON TOWN

Odds -- 19/20 (William Hill) 

Shea (Gk),  Stacey,  Pearson,  Bradley,  Justin,  Shinnie,  Rea,  Mpanzu,  Lee,  Hylton,  Collins

Subs –  Isted (Gk),  McCormack,  Cornick,  LuaLua,  Jarvis,  Jones,  Sheehan (c)

H/T Score – 0 - 0

First Half Comment;
A very cold and blustery Kingsmeadow sees the Dons start against Luton on a dreadful run. Need to convert some chances, but it's Luton who have the first decent chance when Danny Hylton hits the post with a header, we are lucky not to be behind after a few minutes. The Dons first chance comes from James Hansen who forces a save from James Shea in the hatters goal. 

Dull Dull Dull, nothing happening, a lot of fouls (no cards) and few corners that come to nothing. God we are awful but so are Luton. Piss poor first half of football and we might hanging onto a point. 

F/T Score – 0 - 2

Match Summary;
A goal early on the hour mark in the second half, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (great name) for Luton Town with a right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left and the hatters go one up and the Dons crowd want Ardley gone. 

Then on 66 minutes it's a penalty for Luton Town conceded by Anthony Hartigan after a foul on Danny Hylton, Danny steps up himself and it's saved down the centre by McDonnell to keep the Dons in the game but they haven't created much this half to get back in it? And the answer is NO as Luton go two up via a Elliot Lee beating McDonnell with a drive from outside the area. Surely this is the end for Ardley I cannot face more of the same boring media speak about hard work and pulling together .... no there is no fight in the squad, no passion on display, this is not the Wimbledon I was brought up on. 

My Man of the Match – No one in a Dons Shirt.

Referee -- Our referee for this afternoon's big game will be Andy Davis from Hampshire, his 7th season in the football league as an official and has been doing some Championship games this season so is one of the more experienced on the list. Averages about 4 bookings a game so will aim to back that market if we can but as usual we are not expecting a lot of help from the man in the middle. 

Attendance – 4,202.

Next match:
Saturday 3rd November vs Shrewsbury (Home)
League One 3:00pm