AFC WIMBLEDON v ROCHDALE LEAGUE ONE SATURDAY 5th OCTOBER 2019

Welcome to our next home game of this season still seeking that first win and now without our manager Wally Downes. More of that later let us instead look forwards to this Saturday when we will be hosting Rochdale at Kingsmeadow, with plenty of hope and maybe just maybe that first win is not far away. Get behind the lads and expecting more goals from Marcus Forss who should be available again after his suspension and with Nesta Guinness-Walker plus Joe Pigott we can perhaps see some goals today.

FORM GUIDE
(Last 6 matches from last season in their respective leagues, starting with most recent)
AFC Wimbledon -- LLLDLD
Rochdale -- LLDLWD

LAST TIME OUT

Peterborough 3 - 2 AFC Wimbledon
Rochdale 0 - 3 Wycombe W

While we were losing our manager and getting beat 3-2 by Peterborough last weekend, leaving us firmly in the bottom three still on just 3 points, Rochdale were themselves losing again 0-3 at home against Wycombe Wanderers although that comes on the back of an impressive showing against Manchester United in the league cup going out on penalties. This result places Rochdale on 10 points and they reside in 18th position in the league one table. Our last meeting with Rochdale was in February and resulted in a 4-3 victory for the Dons including a Joe Pigott hat trick, yes we would welcome another one of those games! Six points adrift already so we need to start bridging that gap otherwise we are going to be down by the end of the year. Come on you Dons get at them

Not sure if there will be further news about Wally Downes position by this weekend but the following statement was made by the club confirming his suspension;
"Club manager Wally Downes has been suspended from first team duties pending further notice. The club has been informed that Wally has been charged by the FA for Misconduct under FA Rule E1(b) in respect of 8 bets placed on football matches between 30 November 2013 and 12 July 2019. Given the seriousness of this breach in FA regulations, the club has decided to suspend Wally with immediate effect, giving time for the club and Dons Trust boards to look at the allegations more closely and make a further announcement in due course." Wally had until Friday 4th October to appeal so we await the outcome, Glyn Hodges takes control in the meantime. 

Line ups (Confirmed);

AFC WIMBLEDON

Odds -- 7/5 (William Hill) 

Trott (GK),  Thomas,  Kalambayi,  Nightingale (c),  Wordsworth,  Wagstaff, ⚽Pinnock,  Sanders, ⚽Osew, ⚽Forss,  Pigott

Subs – Tzanev (GK),  Hartigan,  Stabana,  Folivi,  Guinness-Walker,  Reilly,  Appiah

ROCHDALE AFC

Odds --  15/8 (William Hill) 

Sanchez (GK),  Matheson,  Keohane,  Andrew,  Norrington-Davies,  Williams,  Morley,  Camps,  Rathbone,  Wilbraham,  Tavares 

Subs – Lynch (Gk),  Ryan,  Baah,  Bradley,  Gillam,  Hopper,  ⚽Henderson

  

Selected Bets on today's match;

  Penalty Awarded @7/2
  Red Card Shown @9/2
  Over 1.5 Goals in 1st half @2/1 ⚽⚽ YES!!
  Marcus Forss to score anytime @8/5 ⚽ YES!

⚽H/T Score – 3 - 0 [Forss 2'  Osew 16'  Pinnock 28']

First Half Comment;

What a start for the Dons, after Rochdale kick off it's the Wimbledon players that get us going and win an early corner then on two mins our on loan striker Marcus Forss scores a volley after his return from suspension and gives us the lead. Thankfully he doesn't get booked for the celebration this time and this is a wonderful start. And it's getting better as 16 minutes on the clock the Dons are 2-0 ahead following a fine goal from Paul Osew with Scott Wagstaff who is having a good start to this match playing at right back today. Wagstaff is having a blinder of a half so far and sets up Mitch Pinnock for the Dons third, yes 3-0 and it's not even half an hour gone. Further chances for both sides before the half time whistle is blown and it's been a very entertaining game so far and I think our long overdue first win is coming.

⚽F/T Score – 3 - 2

Match Summary;
The first half demolition proved enough for the Dons first win of this season and although conceding twice in the 2nd half was disappointing it turned out fine in the end as their second goal came four minutes into stoppage time so the game was fairly safe even then. Leaves us still in the bottom three but plenty to enjoy and closes the gap to the teams above us. Southend lost again and we'll be travelling to them for a "must win" game next weekend.   

My Man of the Match – Scott Wagstaff, helped to get us off to a great start in the first half and experience is needed this season.

Referee -- Our referee today is confirmed as James Oldham from Derbyshire who has taken five league two games this season so is making a small step up (although we are bottom of league one so it's not that high) is only in his second season as a football league referee but has experience in the National (Conference) and below. Will have assistance from Christopher Wade and Stephen Finch on the touchlines.

Attendance – 4,068.  

Next league match:
Saturday 12th October vs Southend United (Away)
League One 3:00pm