AFC WIMBLEDON vs PORTSMOUTH -- LEAGUE ONE FIXTURE 2017-18 SEASON

Welcome to The Cherry Red Records Fans Stadium (Kingsmeadow).

This weekend AFC Wimbledon host Portsmouth at Kingsmeadow in League One. It's our third HOME League fixture of this season and we've won one but lost one prior to this. Although we are not conceding that many it's the struggle to put the ball in the net the other end that worries me and the lack of shots on target needs to improve quickly. 

Still early season and Pompey are only a place above us in the table so hardly pulling up trees themselves and a win will certainly help to calm the nerves with plenty of points to be earned in the coming month. I stand by my beliefs that we need to wait until about 10 games have been completed before considering if we can make a challenge or just settle for more consolidation while the new Plough Lane Stadium is being built and this is only game six for the Dons in the league and we do have one of the lower budgets too. 

Portsmouth arrive here on the back of a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Rotherham and the pre-season title favourites are finding winning a difficulty now back in League One, but are clearly dangerous and this will not be easy as their experienced manager (Kenny Jackett) will have them fired up. If only we could do something with that idiot and his bell ! 
 

We shall update on Saturday afternoon before kick off with the confirmed starting XI for both sides and any further news as it comes available.

Line Ups (Confirmed);

  AFC WIMBLEDON 
  Odds -- 19/10 (William Hill) 

Long (Gk),  Nightingale,  Robinson,  Kennedy,  Fuller (c),  Parrett,  Trotter,  Francomb,  McDonald,  Appiah,  Barcham

Subs – McDonnell,  Sibbick,  Kaja,  Hartigan,  Kalambayi,  Taylor,  Forrester

PORTSMOUTH
Odds -- 6/4 (William Hill) 

McGee (Gk),  McCrory,  Clarke,  Burgess,  Thompson,  Kennedy,  O'Keefe,  May,  Lowe,  Hawkins,  Pitman (c)

  

Subs – Bass (Gk),  Donohue,  Chaplin,  Naismith,  Bennett,  Talbot,  Close


H/T Score – 0 - 1.

First Half Comment;
Game underway and it's clear that these are two sides struggling for goals as it doesn't take too long for the football to stop and the aimless hoof ball from both sides. Someone needs to get a hold of this. Beginning to rain heavily now and that Numpty with the bell needs to pack it in too. 

Stuart O'Keefe (Portsmouth) is shown the first yellow card for a bad foul on Paul Robinson, and the best chance of the first half falls to Dean Parrett who drives low but wide. on 37 mis a penalty is conceded by Dons captain Barry Fuller after a foul on Brett Pitman, who then gets up and converts the spot kick himself to give the away side the lead.

Portsmouth seem to be getting away with several elbows one causing Paul Robinson to go off with blood everywhere. There's been at least two other incidents already - Cheats. 


F/T Score – 0 - 2.

Match Summary;
Second half began with the sending off of Simon Bassey, our first team coach, assuming for words to the referee. Then just 5 mins into the 2nd half and Conor Chaplin gives Portsmouth a 2-0 lead with a right footed shot from very close range, the game seems over now. And indeed that was it, very poor showing from Dons, hardly giving their keeper anything to do this could be a long long season.

My Man of the Match – George Long (Dons keeper, keeping the scoreline to just 0-2).

Referee -- Our Referee for this fixture will be Kevin Johnson from Somerset. He oversaw Franchise FC's 1-0 defeat by Wigan last month so can't be all that bad. Was also involved in a nasty head injury last season during the Plymouth vs Colchester game and I hope he gets through 90 mins unscathed as long as it results in a Dons win.

Attendance – 4,585.

Next match:
vs GILLINGHAM (Home) -- Tuesday 12th September.

ASCOT HORSE RACING - FRIDAY 8th SEPTEMBER 2017.

FESTIVAL OF FOOD AND WINE RACING WEEKEND
FRIDAY 8TH - SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER

A two day celebration of food, wine and good quality Flat racing featuring the £100,000 Appletiser Handicap Stakes on the Saturday. In between racing, racegoers can enjoy a cooking demonstration from a well-known celebrity chef and numerous food and wine stalls showcasing gastronomic delights from around the world.

We will be looking at the card for FRIDAY as we're off work for the day and what better time to be had than at Ascot on a cold and wet September afternoon. We've an eight race card now that will begin at 1:30 with the first division of a 6f Novice Stakes for 2yo's. The feature race on the Friday card is a 1m handicap off at 5:00 and this card is very much the prelude to Saturday with no Group races on offer but it'll still be a day out. 

Here's a link to the days racecard;
https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/racecards/2017-09-08

There is a bit of a chill in the air and possible forecast for a drop of rain in the afternoon however we will have a fun day out come what may, it's always better than being at work. 

Here are my selections for this meeting;

1:30 - 6f Novice Stakes (Div One) (2yo) 
Opening races are for 2yo only and we kick off with a Novices contest with a field of 9 runners are declared for this race where it has been divided into two. 

Very open event, this will be a lot easier than the Goodwood race that LADY DANCEALOT [2nd 5/2] took on with the ease in going from Soft to Good also in her favour. Placed in a Newbury maiden too and the experience should do her good. Priced about 8/1 which makes her a decent win/place prospect -- price collapsed with a fancied non runner and market support.

2:05 - 6f Novice Stakes (Div Two) (2yo) 
The second division of our opening Novice Race which also has the field of 9 declared runners. Less form on display in this division as five of the field are on debut. 

Newcomer UNITED KINGDOM [7th 12/1] takes his chance here rather than a race tomorrow for Paul Cole, and together with another unraced filly in SOCIETY LILLY [6th 5/2] are our pair against the field here.

2:40 - 7f Maiden (2yo)
Our next race is a maiden, again for 2yo only, where again we've nine declared runners and again only four have seen a racecourse before now. John Gosden saddles MAIN STREET [Non Runner] who should be better for his Newmarket experience after a run in June and now has Frankie Dettori up top. 

Of the newcomers Roger Charlton introduces a Frankel colt in the shape of HERCULEAN [WON 11/10] and has booked Ryan Moore so market support ought to be significant here. 


3:15 - 1m Classified Stakes
Just the eight show up for the classified stakes where the 3yo last time out winners FIRE BRIGADE [2nd 15/8] and MUSAWAAT [5th 7/1] might be the pair to follow. Not a race I'd want to be too involved with most of the field off level weights yet both Medieval and Dr Julius No should be giving these all few pounds if it were a handicap so they do seem well in today but will stick with the two selections unless either are non runners in which case treat the other two as reserves.


3:50 - 1m 3f 211y Maiden (3yo)
A very select field for the maiden event, just the five declared and while REVERAND JACOBS [LAY] 😞will probably go off fav based on his last three runners up efforts it's clear that he's beatable and that will be our LAY bet of the meeting. 

We back Frankie here when in doubt and a small field and therefore we hope he can get a tune out of UPTOWN FUNK. 

4:25 - 1m 3f 211y Victoria Racing Club Handicap
Tricky handicap with some interesting 3yo taking on older horses, as such they receive a generous weight for age allowance. ROAR [3rd 9/1] is lightly raced and has won at Beverley and Newmarket therefore could be interesting here off this lowly weight, along with ALQAMAR [2nd 10/11] who took his chance at the Royal meeting having previously won a similar handicap to this at York. 

5:00 - 1m Handicap (Straight course)
A mile down the straight course now and we'll see which side of the track they favour though with a field of 12 there should be few traffic issues.

Will have the pair of EAGLE CREEK [7th 8/1] and KNIGHT OWL [Non Runner] against the field, low draw should be ok and look generously priced in the market at this early overnight declaration stage. 


5:30 - 6f Handicap
Rounding off the meeting with a tricky 6f sprint handicap, the largest field of 17 here today and there's plenty in with a shout as you would expect. Looking at NORTH CREEK [6th 12/1] first who although coming back in trip has won off a mark much higher in the past. 

OUTER SPACE might have to go back to the AW before he can find winning form again so instead we will have a look at HARWOODS VOLANTE [8th 12/1] back on a mark where he's regularly placed including here and at 20/1 will be interesting us in the place market at least.

Good luck
Results will appear here during Friday evening, but only if I'm sober enough to update things then of course.

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2017 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #23 6th SEPTEMBER

Welcome to our twenty third meeting of 2017 here at Kempton Park and after another disappointing losing week last time out we head into the last quarter of the year down by the sum of -37.045 points to level stakes at SP. Losing about 4 points a month throughout the season isn't that terrible (ok, yes it is) and I think we'd be a bit better off than we are with the number of winners that we pick up since January by taking early prices online however we record to SP and that will remain. It will be interesting to see how the final part of the year goes now.

As we continue to focus on the handicap contests for each meeting we will also occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1pt level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds but for the purpose of these results here we simply record to SP returns.

We will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of short priced favourites too, we were successful with our last selection, another beaten favourite, and we will see if there is another selection for tonight. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures. 

This Wednesday is our twenty third meeting for 2017 and we are expecting a eight race card tonight with five handicaps to enjoy, tonight's action will commence at 17:20 with a 7f Handicap. 

Here's a link to this Wednesday's race card; RACECARD

The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard' and the current weather forecast is for a mix of cloudy and outbreaks of sunshine throughout the day looks like September might be fairly pleasant. Expecting a max temperature of about 17C when the meeting gets underway.

Here are our selections for this evenings five handicaps tonight;

17:20 -- 7f Handicap (Div One).

The opening event on the card has been divided to give us an eight race meeting. It's a low grade contest but two divisions of fourteen are declared. In division one, which will take place 30 mins earlier than expected, and we will chance the low drawn pair of CHAMPAGNE FREDDIE [8th 14/1] and MORELLO [5th 2/1] against the field.

17:55 -- 7f Handicap (Div Two).

The second division is a little more open and has a few previous winners available too, last time out APPEASE [Non Runner] was able to win at Yarmouth and has plenty of AW experience but maybe that win will spark him into some self belief and worth a chance here. 

ARCANISTA [3rd 4/1] was close last time out at Carlisle and was runner up here off a 7lb higher mark so another at decent price with a chance and has top jockey on board too replacing the Amateur rider from last outing.

19:55 -- 1m Fillies Handicap.
A field of 13 ladies next for us, and aiming for a big price winner here with NARJES [2nd 11/4, expecting bigger than that] this James Fanshawe trained filly has only a few runs, all bar one on the all weather and placed several times, can go better, and in amongst her own worth a look. 

Similarly the profile of SCALA REIGA [3rd 14/1] is interesting, won at Newcastle and then here in a 1m race at a decent price and against is forecast about 14/1 which for a Sir Mark Prescott filly you would be surprised to see. Did finish last on her previous outing but that was over 2f further and was eased 3f out but appears again only a couple of weeks later so we take our chances again. 

20:25 -- 1m 3f 219y Handicap.
SPINNERS BALL [Non Runner] is our first interest here, didn't like Brighton at all but wouldn't be the first to find that course a bit difficult and prior to that was down the field in a better contest at Ascot. If you look past those events then you will see that he won here and also at Windsor and only 2lb higher. 

Similar profile for RUBENSIAN [7th 14/1] who was found out at Yarmouth and Brighton but has some winning form here and won on this card last September, runs off a similar mark tonight and has the stall 1 draw.

20:55 -- 1m 7f 218y Handicap.

Our finale tonight and the stayers take the stage, lowly class six event so not much in evidence those that have won haven't backed it up and there are plenty here with little to recommend them. 

Top weight SEE AND BE SEEN [9th 12/1] has a number of runners up spots in his form and generally runs his race, off a similar mark to last run here though and given another chance. Add that with the filly FRANNY NISBIT [WON 14/1] who has only had a few chances and quickly stepped up in trip. Didn't do much at Goodwood over 2m last time but that was a better class of contest and could be seen in a better light here tonight.

Staked -- 10 points.

Returns -- 17 point. 

Results will appear later tonight. Currently we have a deficit of -37.045 points that we bring forward to this round of racing. Hurrah the losing streak is over and thanks to the winner in the lucky last  (and 2 non runners) we have a 7 point reduction in our losses. Now we are showing a deficit of -30.045 points that we take forth to the next meeting.


LAYS -- After last week's successful lay of another favourite we now stand at 10 from 14 successful lays for this season, just 4 wrong all at short odds. Will update here later if we find another selection for tonight.

Our next meeting here at Kempton Park on Wednesday 13th September.