Tuesday 1st February 2022 KO 7:45pm
AFC Wimbledon will host their latest League One game at Plough Lane for the 2021-22 season against Cheltenham Town. With both sides in the bottom half of the table it's an important game for survival after the recent run of form and lack of firepower up front, we will certainly need to find a plan B for the latter part of the season. We haven't made a great start to 2022 so far and after the 1-1 draw on Saturday against Shrewsbury we are currently in 20th position in the League One table on 29 points after 27 games played.
Mark Robinson stressed that there’s no panic in the ranks after another victory opportunity eluded his side today. “We know where we carry a threat, where we need to put the ball and what areas we need to get into,” said Robbo. “The first goal was really pleasing, and it shows that you don’t have to be big to score one like we did today, it’s all about timing and movement. It was a really well worked goal.
Saturday's game also saw newly signed left back Lee Brown make his first start for the club after he joined from Portsmouth on Friday, and our Head Coach was impressed with what he saw from the number 55. “He was really solid,” added Robbo. “He didn’t get hurt down that side at all and he provided everything that we knew he would. Really composed on the ball, really confident, and he’s been great with the lads after the game. He’s going to be a big influence as we move up the table.”
Team News - will update as and when news is available, Lee Brown came in last week and looks like could be a solid addition. As the transfer window closed on Monday we at least brought in two more signings with Nathan Broome arriving as a back up goalkeeper from Stoke on a two and half year deal, along with striker Sam Cosgrove from Birmingham who ticks the boxes as the target man we were after, has also had experience at Aberdeen and is here on loan till the end of the season. Neither signing is available for this evening's match though.
Recent League One Results
AFC Wimbledon 1 - 1 Shrewsbury Town
Cheltenham Town 0 - 0 Wigan Athletic
Looking at today's game itself this Tuesday evening in League One and our opponents today; Cheltenham Town are currently managed by former Northern Ireland International Michael Duff who has been in the position since September 2018. They currently reside in 17th place in League One, having accrued 32 points in 28 games so far. A win and we would move up a few places which would be welcome. Cheltenham also drew at the weekend, holding the then leaders Wigan to a goal less draw so very likely hard to break down. They had wing back Ben Williams sent off late in the game so might have to change things for their trip to Plough Lane.
Men to watch for the opposition; Striker Alfie May is certainly one to keep an eye on, already has 10 goals this season and recently signed a new deal to stay with the club he joined in 2020 from Doncaster Rovers.
Head to Head
Our head to head form against Cheltenham Town since our return to the league as AFC Wimbledon amounts to an even spread of results, nine games played three wins apiece and three draws too. This is our first meeting in League One and an important one given our current league positions. The latest match was in this season's FA Cup where the Dons secured a 4-3 win in the second round.
Starting XI's [Confirmed]
AFC WIMBLEDON
Win Odds - 7/5 [William Hill]
Tzanev (Gk), Alexander, Heneghan(c), Nightingale, 🟨Brown, Hartigan, 🟨Marsh, ⚽Assal, McCormick, Rudoni, Ablade
SUBS - Oualah (Gk), Csoka, Chislett, Awokoya-Mebude, Osew, Kalinauskas, ⚽🟨Cosgrave
CHELTENHAM TOWN
Win Odds - 19/10 [William Hill]
Evans (Gk), 🟨Raglan, Pollock, Boyle(c), Blair, 🟨Sercombe, Bonds, Wright, 🟨Hutchinson, Etete, ⚽x2 May
SUBS - Flinders (Gk), Freestone, Williams, A Ramsey, Colkett
Selected Bets On This Match;- Over 1.5 goals in 1st half @5/2.
- Ayoub Assal to score at any time @4/1
- Penalty to be awarded and scored @9/2.
- Bookings over 45 points @12/5.
⚽Half Time Score - 1 - 2 [Assal 8'] [May 31' 34'(pen)]
First Half Comments;
Kick Off 7:45pm today at the Cherry Red Records, Plough Lane Wimbledon stadium. The visitors kick off this evening for this important game. The Dons are on the front foot early and take the lead on 8 mins when Ayoub Assal pokes home from a corner and a great start let's hope we can build on it. Liam Sercombe picks up the first booking for our visitors for a foul on our striker Terry Ablade. And the good start did not last long, within minutes we go from one up to two-one down. Alfie May the expected danger scores twice, one from the penalty spot having been brought down by Nik Tzanev in goal.
⚽Full Time Score - 2 - 2 [Cosgrave 80']
Match Summary;
The Dons fought hard in the second half to get it back to 2-2 but couldn't find the winner, still feels like a game we could have won and fear that draws are not going to be enough to keep us up, for now we are still just above the drop zone. Aaron Cosgrave scored the equaliser late in the game.
Mark Robinson saluted the impact of Aaron Cosgrave after the striker’s first competitive goal for Wimbledon rescued a vital point. Speaking enthusiastically about his ability afterwards;
"I think he’s going to be a real talent for us. I’m really excited for him. It’s going to take him time to adapt because he hasn’t played at this level, but he came on tonight and was a real threat. Moving forwards, he will be a real asset for this football club.”
My Man of the Match - Ayoub Assal.
Attendance - 6,138.
Today's Referee - Our match referee for this afternoon will be Mr Sam Purkiss a London based official who also work in the legal industry, so should know his stuff. Has been officiating in the lower leagues for a few seasons now, averages around three bookings a game plus more than the usual number of reds too. Will have assistance on the side lines from both Stephen Brown and Daniel Bonneywell while on fourth official duties is Nicholas Dunn.
Next league one fixture;
vs Charlton Athletic (Away)
Saturday 5th February @3pm.
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