FA CUP FIRST ROUND - BARROW AFC vs AFC WIMBLEDON - THURSDAY 26th NOVEMBER 2020 [Re-Scheduled]

This fixture has now been scheduled for Thursday 26th November @7:45pm with the winners set to host Crawley Town in the second round on Sunday 29th.

Delayed due to an outbreak of Coronavirus the Dons will finally travel away to Barrow for their first round game in this seasons FA Cup. Having recently returned to Plough Lane and the fact that all games continue behind closed doors slightly dampened the enthusiasm around the start of the FA Cup for me anyway. But of course it is a competition that we have fond memories of, and hopefully we can keep hold of a lead for more than a few minutes perhaps. Both sides have games in midweek, which we both lost, but there is hope that will help to get us up to speed following our brief layoff. Dons have also acquired a new defensive force in Ben Heneghan from Sheffield United, Ben had been on loan at Blackpool. 

Barrow won the National League last season and returned to the football league having been voted out of the league in the 1971-72 season, there was no automatic promotion and relegation and they were replaced by Hereford United way back then. They are now managed by David Dunn the ex-Blackburn midfielder and currently find themselves in 19th place on 13 points in League Two but we all know league form goes out the window in the cup so let's get into them today.

FORM GUIDE

(Last 6 matches in respective leagues, starting with most recent)
AFC Wimbledon -- LWDDWD
Barrow AFC -- LDDLWW

LAST TIME OUT

Gillingham 2  AFC Wimbledon 1

Barrow AFC 3  Oldham Athletic 4

Updates will be published with team news and more as and when it comes through. Wimbledon's recent form is fairly good having picking up some vital points to leave us in midtable, winning late on last weekend 1-0 against Rochdale followed by a 2-1 defeat against Gillingham on Tuesday night. The biggest achievement this season was also completed earlier this month with the return to football at the new Plough Lane Stadium. Naturally there are no league points to be had here today, just cup glory and a step ahead to a big tie later on (maybe) where the aim is Tv money rather than any gate receipt given there are no fans for the foreseeable future, for the winners a home tie against Crawley Town awaits them on Sunday which will be part of the BBC FA Cup coverage and a bit of extra money there. Barrow's manager David Dunn has made ten changes to his starting eleven for this evening’s Emirates FA Cup tie against AFC Wimbledon [at The Progression Solicitors Stadium (7.45pm kick-off)]. Jayden Reid and Dimitri Sea are both handed their first starts for the Club, while top scorer Dior Angus returns to The Bluebirds attack for the First Round encounter. The Dons have also made several changes with a start for Nik Tzanev in goal, while Ollie Palmer starts up front with Joe Pigott on the bench. 

Line Ups (Confirmed);

AFC WIMBLEDON 

Win Odds - 13/8 [William Hill]

Tzanev (Gk),  Csoka,  🟨Nightingale (c),  Thomas,  Rudoni,  🟨Guinness-Walker,  Woodyard,  Hartigan, Alexander,  🟨Palmer,  Chislett

Subs - Cox (Gk),  McLoughlin,  Longman,  Kalambayi,  Reilly,  Pigott,  Seddon

BARROW AFC

Odds -- 17/10 [William Hill] 

Lillis (Gk),  🟨Hird (c),  🟨Gribbin,  🟨Kay,  Zouma,  Wilson,  Angus,  Ntlhe,  Sea,  Taylor,  Reid

Subs –  Maloney (Gk),  Brown,  Brough,  Taylor,  Quigley,  Biggins,  James

 

⚽H/T Score – 0 - 0

First Half Comment;

Wimbledon kick off this cup tie and immediately have the first chance in 30secs which sadly is wide of the mark, good intent though. Ollie Palmer starting and looking to make the most of the opportunity has a couple of early chances, surely only a matter of time before he gets one on target. Opening 15-20 minutes pass without too much fuss after that opening flurry, but Dons still using Palmer as the go to target man. Barrow's Dimitri Sea has a couple of chance, misses with a header then has a left footed shot going wide. Ethan Chislett has a shot blocked for Wimbledon followed by a flurry of corners but so far there's no end result, still applying pressure we need the opening. Dons captain Will Nightingale picks up the first booking of the evening with about 10mins to go till half time, quickly joined in the refs book by Barrow's Callum Gribben. 

⚽F/T Score – 0 - 0    [Match going to Extra Time]

AFC Wimbledon win 4-2 on penalties

Match Summary;

A fairly dreary game to be honest, the second half was very dull, even with the subs the tempo of the game was never that great and no outstanding chances. Loads of set pieces and corners but we have no outstanding players in the old style Wimbledon model, Sanchez, Curle, Winterburn, Gayle, someone of this level would be welcome. Game goes to extra time and possibly penalties to follow.

My Man of the Match – Nik Tzanev.

Referee – Our referee for this first round FA Cup tie was scheduled to be Mr Sebastian Stockbridge from Tyne and Wear, is into his tenth season as a official and took charge of our 3-2 defeat by Peterborough last season thus he owes us one ! Averages about 3-4 cards a game and generally reliable. Will be assisted by Mr Alan Clayton and Mr Paul Newhouse on the touchlines, our fourth official will be Mr Andrew Miller. 

Attendance – None, sadly for the time being, maybe soon.

Next league match:
Tuesday 1st December vs Peterborough (Home)
League One 6:00pm