LINCOLN CITY vs AFC WIMBLEDON - FINAL LEAGUE ONE FIXTURE 2020/21 SEASON [9th MAY]

Sunday 9th May 2021 12:00pm
AFC Wimbledon will play their final League One game of the 2020-21 season away at Lincoln City's LNER Stadium (or Sincil Bank if you are old like me) this weekend safe in the knowledge that another season in League One has been secured with a game to go. Despite the 1-3 defeat last week we managed to stay up once more, and that is great with the new stadium up and running, and the prospect of fans being allowed back in soon, certainly bodes well for next season. We should be able to enjoy this final game, as Lincoln don't really have much to play for either now having secured a play off place but the automatic spots are already determined. As is the tradition now for the final fixtures, all ties are scheduled for Sunday Noon kick off, though most of the important matters are already decided.

Onto today's game itself this Sunday in League One and our opponents today, Lincoln City, find themselves in 5th place in the league on 76 points so are safely in a play off spot they faced a mid week game away at Charlton on Tuesday night however lost that 3-1 so can only consolidate their place in the four play off places now. Managed by Michael Appleton they have plenty of experience and should not be taken lightly, despite not much to play for now, there's pride, performance at stake still.

Most Recent League Games
AFC Wimbledon 1 - 3 Portsmouth

Charlton Athletic 3 - 1 Lincoln City (Tues)

Head to Head
Our head to head form against Lincoln since our return to the league is very brief, only three previous meetings so far equally shared a win each and one draw, our 1-0 win came in the FA Cup while the sole defeat was earlier this season 2-1. While the result today may not feel important given there is little to play for I hope that the team continue to battle and have something to build on for next season.

Starting XI's [Confirmed]

AFC WIMBLEDON 

Win Odds - 13/5 [William Hill]
Tzanev (Gk),  O'Neill,  Kalambayi,  Nightingale,  Alexander,  🟨Dobson,  Woodyard (c),  Rudoni,  Assal,  Pigott,  Palmer

SUBS - Cox (Gk),  Thomas,  Harrison,  Oksanen,  McLoughlin,  Longman,  Guinness-Walker

LINCOLN CITY

Win Odds - 11/10 [William Hill]
Palmer (Gk),  Poole,  Eyoma,  Walsh,  Edun,  🟨McGrandles,  Bridcutt (c),  Grant,  Johnson,  Hopper,  Rogers

SUBS - Long (Gk),  Montsma,  Jackson,  Sanders,  Scully,  Bramall,  Morton

Selected Bets On This Match;

• Over 1.5 goals in 1st half @7/4.
• Penalty to be awarded and scored @7/2.
• Bookings under 35 points @11/8.
• Over 3.5 goals in match @2/1.

⚽Half Time Score - 0 - 0

First Half Comments;

Lincoln get us underway at lunchtime in the final regular season League One game, although Lincoln will have the playoffs to look forward to, the Dons are safe once again. Joe Pigott has the first meaningful shot on target on six minutes but comfortably saved by Imps keeper Alex Palmer. Jack Rudoni tries his luck next but another save, at least we playing with some intent against a strong side. The hosts get into the game more as the half develops, Brennan Johnson having a couple of shots on goal saved by Nik Tzanev and we remain goalless. Conor McGrandle (Lincoln) is the first player to go into the referee's book, not long after that George Dobson follows him for the Dons. Very even half so far and with nothing at stake for us we'll have to settle down, the test events at Plough Lane ought to be more exciting.

⚽Full Time Score - 0 - 0

Match Summary;
Turned into a fairly drab scoreless draw, which means we are in 19th place on 51 points this season. A stalemate in the end with neither side able to break the deadlock, probably a fair result on the day. Though this display was far removed from the thrills and spills of some previous performances under Mark Robinson's management. Next season could be a really exciting campaign when our supporters finally get to watch regular football at our spiritual home in Plough Lane. Now while one eye is turning to the test events and opening to fans of our new stadium the important work is now to get some players on new contracts, and see who else we need. Pleasing efforts in the final few games to secure safety, but more improvement needed next year. 

My Man of the Match - Nik Tzanev.

Attendance - Sadly still no one for the time being. Maybe sometime later this year would be nice, there are test events planned for later this month, then we can celebrate our return to Plough Lane/Wimbledon properly in the 2021/22 season.

Today's Referee - Our match referee for this afternoon will be Mr Scott Oldham, who hails from Lancashire. Last took charge of one of our games in 2019 vs Tranmere, doesn't get his notebook out much averages barely two cards per fixture this season. His assistants are Wayne Grunnill and Lisa Rashid while the Fourth Official on duty will be Paul Stonier.

That's all for this season, will be back for the pre season and 2021-22 season in League One.