AFC WIMBLEDON v SUNDERLAND -- LEAGUE ONE 25th AUGUST

This weekend the Dons will play host to the mighty Sunderland who are the big fish in this league for the season (sorry Bradford you are a small team again now). Will be a big test of our promising early season form against a side expected to go straight back up into the Championship after a few seasons in decline. Under new ownership, supposed to be debt free now and a new manager they've already made an excellent start to life in League One. Sunderland maintained their unbeaten start to the League One season as three first-half goals enabled them to claim a comprehensive victory over Scunthorpe last Sunday afternoon. Max Power, Josh Maja and Chris Maguire were all on target before the break as Jack Ross' side outlined their promotion credentials following last season's relegation from the Championship. They followed that up with a thumping 4-1 win against Gillingham on Wednesday night.

Much like Coventry who we played recently they are another club blighted by ownership, debt and management issues in recent years although they appear to be stable once more and will be favs to go back up immediately so like us I do wish them well in getting all that sorted, although naturally will be looking to take three points off them today. Also looking to make a trip up to the North East next year to see the Dons play the return fixture and have a weekend away with friends up there but back to the game this weekend.   

Our opening games have seen us remain unbeaten but that was soon put right by Walsall who won 1-3 on Tuesday night and although not scoring freely we do create plenty of chances and prior to Tuesday night have only conceded in the League Cup against Portsmouth. Our new signings appear to have settled in well and I had been impressed with the keeper and defence who up till then had kept clean sheets in the league. However as a result of the midweek loss we are in 11th place going into the Sunderland game.  

FORM GUIDE 
(Last 6 matches in their respective leagues, starting with most recent)
AFC Wimbledon -- LDDWDD
Sunderland -- WWDWWL







LAST TIME OUT

AFC Wimbledon 1  Walsall 3
Gillingham 1  Sunderland 4

Updates will be published with team news and more news as and when it comes through. Game is all ticket and expected to be sold out. 

Line Ups (confirmed);

AFC WIMBLEDON

Odds -- 3/1 (William Hill) 

King (Gk),  Sibbick,  Purrington,  Oshilaja (c),  Nightingale,  Pinnock,  Wordsworth,  Trotter,  Barcham,  Hanson,  Pigott

Subs – McDonnell (Gk),  Thomas,  Hartigan,  Garratt,  Burey,  McDonald,  Wagstaff

SUNDERLAND  
Odds -- 11/10 (William Hill) 

McLaughlin (Gk),  Love,  Loovens,  Baldwin,  James,  Cattermole,  Power,  Gooch,  Honeyman (c),  Maguire,  Maja

Subs –  Ruiter (Gk),  Ozturk,  O'Nien,  Oviedo,  McGeoch,  Embleton,  Mumba  

H/T Score – 1 - 0

First Half Comment;
Kicked off and we are on the front foot immediately, creating chances which gives results in the ninth minutes Joe Pigott converts a right footed shot from the centre of the box and it's 1-0 to the Dons. Chances either end during the course of the opening half and couple of shouts for a penalty for the Dons too but we never seem to get these now. Still leading with 20 till half time and the home side on top which is nice. Sunderland are resorting to long range shots from outside the box and these are either wide or easily saved by King.

F/T Score – 1 - 2

Match Summary;
We blew that. So on top in the opening hour of the game, concede a stupid goal after 66 mins when Lee Catermole was allowed room to score in the box, this was made twice as bad in the final few mins when the same player to was given freedom to repeat the feat and see us throw the game away, a game we actually dominated but just don't have a goalscorer to put these chances away, frustrating because the team is working hard and the results are not coming. 

My Man of the Match – Lee Catermole (took his chances when they came, our front line should learn from that).

Referee -- Our referee for this afternoon's big game has been confirmed as John Busby from Oxfordshire, appears to be a well established official and not afraid to dish out some cards. Hopefully he'll be a homer, we could do with all the help we can get. 

Attendance – 4,848.

Next match:
Tuesday 28th August vs West Ham United (Home)
EFL Carabao Cup R2 7:45pm 

2018 KEMPTON PARK RACES -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #17 22nd AUGUST

End of August is fast approaching and the summer beginning to ease off now. At least there's a Bank Holiday on the horizon. 😊

Away from the horses the football is going fine so far, AFC Wimbledon have Walsall at home on Tuesday night (alas we lost 1-3) and Sunderland will be visiting Kingsmeadow on Saturday then we will see if the Dons can remain unbeaten in the league, we've also yet to concede a goal in League One this season we just need to start hitting the net the other end a bit more. West Ham coming up too soon in the next round of the League Cup which will be shown live on Sky Sports. In the meantime this blog will continue to follow the progress of handicap races on the Wednesday night races here at Kempton Park racecourse in Surrey. We've not had the greatest first half of the year and are a bit behind now although it's a bit up and down this is past half way and meeting seventeen. There are usually 4-5 handicap races covered and some Lay bets too with separate totals recorded to SP throughout the year. 

We are ready for week number seventeen, and as we push on into the second half of the year we managed to have a good couple of weeks and take a dent out of the losses to date although we still find ourselves down -36.88 points to SP, would be nice to continue turning this around and there is still a long way to go we need some more winners soon and alas we record to starting prices.

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

We will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of short priced favourites too. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures, off to a disappointing start this season though but a successful lay last week means we are currently 13/20 (65%) going forwards with these for 2018. 

This Wednesday is meeting number seventeen for the 2018 season and we are expecting an seven race card tonight with five handicaps to enjoy the action will commence at 17:45 with a 7f Novice Stakes run for 2yo horses only.

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 for this Wednesday is for a cloudy day so have a good night without the threat of rain for a change a top temperature will be about 26C by the time the meeting gets underway.

Here are our handicap selections for tonight;

18:15 -- 1m 7f 218y Handicap.
Not as many runners this week compared to usual, maybe they keeping back for the busy Bank Holiday fast approaching. We've a field of eight runners for our opening handicap tonight where top weight IMPHAL  [4th 9/4F] is interesting though a little frustrating with a run of third placings maybe Hayley Turner can find some improvement and this is an easier task for a horse that won four on the bounce last season. 

An each way shout is GRACEFUL LADY [6th 16/1] who is down in trip and down a few pounds so the handicapper has given her a little chance at 20/1 looks overpriced.

19:15 -- 1m 3f 219y Handicap (3yo).
Just the six now for this one, three year old only of course, and while the short price fav will be EXTRA ELUSIVE [WON 7/4F] it might pay to look at the bottom pair in a small field where tactics might play a part. RAPIER and PIPPIN [2nd 10/1] the former a Sir Michael Stoute runner and he doesn't send that many here without a good chance Pippen has won twice around this trip and can give the jolly plenty to think about.

19:45 -- 1m Handicap.
The only race with a max field for us tonight the fourteen runners line up for the mile start and are headed by MEDIEVAL  who is on a similar mark to his last winning effort but might find something too smart tonight. 

LAWMAKING  [3rd 10/1] sprang a 33/1 surprise here in June and did follow that up with another win at Newcastle so could still be worth following while in a good frame of mind. Will pair that one with HONEY MAN  [WON 5/2F] against the field in an open race.

20:15 -- 7f Fillies Handicap (3yo).
A small field of five ladies for our fillies handicap now, and while a case could be made for any of these to win will simply side with PERFECTION [3rd 5/2] trained by John Gosden and a winner at Newmarket plus good enough to run 5th in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot and although ORTIZ [WON 7/4F] was runner up in that at 66/1 that does suggest her run was unexpected so will aim to LAY that one tonight. :(

20:45 -- 7f Handicap.
We conclude with a nine runner handicap event over seven furlongs, SPIN ART [5th 13/2] is regularly placed and given a chance here to go one or two better for a change though maybe Hayley Turner can send us home happy on DIVA STAR [2nd 12/1].

Staked -- 9 points.
Returns -- 3.5 points.

Results will appear here later on Wednesday night. We seek to recover from our current deficit of -36.88 points. Just one winner, and the lays both won, gutted. So lost another 5.5 points on the night, now standing at -42.38 points. 

LAYS -- 13/20 so far, beginning to get them beat now, and if we have one or two Lays tonight they will be updated here also. Bummer that both winning favs won tonight so that's 13/22.

Tonight's Lays;
LIVELY LYDIA @4/6F -- 17:45  [Won 11/8F].
ORTIZ @7/4F -- 20:15  [Won 7/4F]. 

Our next meeting here at Kempton Park will be next week on WEDNESDAY 29th AUGUST so see you then.

PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2018 TURF SEASON -- PART TWELVE

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2018.

Sunday 19th August.
Welcome to this our 12th meeting of the year. 

1st race 2.00pm, gates open 11.30am

Sunday racedays have always been extra special for Pontefract Racegoers.

Our renowned Sunday fixtures not only feature the best racing of the year at Pontefract with over £100,000 worth of Prize Money available at each meeting, but they are also the 3 fixtures each season dedicated to families. 

As well as special events on each Sunday raceday, there will also be a funfair, face-painting, circus, free sweets, activity packs and racecards for kids, pony rides, trips to the starts of races and a ‘Hunt The Golden Horseshoe’ competition on every Family Day!

The final Family Day of 2018 will be run once again as The In The Zone Raceday!

We are setting up zones around the Enclosures to offer racegoers the chance to engage with and learn a little more about different parts of the industry:

• The jockey zone – pre register for an ex- jockeys take on how to ride Ponte. Walk the last 6 furlongs at 11.30am (numbers limited)
• The industry zone – Behind the Scenes Tour in the Weighing Room from 12.30pm – 12.45pm
• The horse zone – Join the ex racehorses and vets during a parade of ex racers from 12.45pm – 1pm
• The quiet zone – Enjoy a free tea or coffee with us while you read the Racing Post and sort out your selections. Peace and quiet between 12.30pm and 1pm in the Betting Hall
• The newcomers zone – Meet our ‘Here to Help’ team who’ll show you around and explain how an afternoon at the races works. Join us on the Marquee Site – 1.00pm
• The tipster zone – Listen to the expert Punters Panel in the Winners Enclosure at 1.30pm
• The kids zone – Get the kids involved with the live demonstrations of horse handling and care. Watch them enjoy the Interactive Kids zone throughout the afternoon in the Picnic Enclosure.  

QUEENS KINDLY WINNING LAST YEARS LISTED EVENT

The highlight of our final Family Day of 2018 is the £60,000 Highfield Farm Flying Fillies Listed race and you’ll be seeing some very speedy equine ladies. The race was won last year by Richard Fahey's QUEEN'S KINDLY the 7/4F obliging.

A few winners last time out but couldn't find enough to cover the losses entirely however we come into the final few meetings of the year behind only to the tune of -2.235 to Starting Prices so we can hopefully get that back starting today. We will continue throughout this season to record ALL results for these fixtures which are returned to a level stake at Starting Price (SP), and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures.

The forecast going is now currently reported as 'Good to firm, Good in places' the weather for Sunday afternoon is for a generally cloudy but hopefully not raining and we've a forecast maximum temperature around the 20C mark as we continue to enjoy the summer it's beginning to fade now.

Here are our selections for the seven races on Sunday afternoon, remember it's a very simple selection process using stalls one and two in every race;

14:00 5f 3yds Novice Stakes (2yo).
(1) -- MELGATE MAGIC  [5th 33/1].
(2) -- WORLD ORDER  [WON 5/6F].

14:30 1m 4f 5yds Handicap.
(1) -- DESERT RULER  [Non Runner].
(2) -- APPOINTED  [2nd 9/4].

15:05 2m 1f 27yds Handicap.
(1) -- ST ANDREWS  [3rd 8/1].
(2) -- BECKY THE THATCHER  [2nd 11/8F].

15:35 6f Fillies Listed Stakes.
(1) -- ZAIN HANA  [7th 8/1].
(2) -- MISS BAR BEACH  [3rd 16/1].

16:05 1m 6yds Handicap.
(1) -- GEORGIAN MANOR  [3rd 5/4F].

(2) -- COMPLETION  [2nd 2/1].

16:40 1m 6yds Novice Stakes.
(1) -- YAJOOLL  [2nd 11/10F].
(2) -- ARCTIC ROLL  [3rd 10/1].

17:10 6f Handicap.
(1) -- DAWN BREAKING  [5th 11/1].
(2) -- CAMPION  [4th 11/1].

Staked -- 14 points.

Returns -- 2.83 points.

We come into this meeting with a small loss figure of -2.235 points to SP. Results from today will be updated later on at the end of the meeting. All being well we can move back into the black tonight and kick on from there. No joy, plenty of places but only the one win at odds on and a non runner so lost -11.17 today meaning our losses extend to -13.405 overall onwards to next months meeting. Only a few more to go.

Our next meeting will be in about a month's time on Thursday 20th September. Hope you will be following us throughout the season.