AFC WIMBLEDON v PORTSMOUTH - 20/21 LEAGUE ONE - PLOUGH LANE 1st MAY 2021

Saturday 1st May 2021 3:00pm
AFC Wimbledon will 'host' their final home game of the 2020--21 season at the Plough Lane Stadium this weekend when Portsmouth will travel up from the south coast under new head coach Danny Cowley . While we are not going to be able to see a game at our new stadium this season but hopefully can get down there soon enough after fans are back later in May and some 'test' events to be organised first. A few fans being allowed in for these test events featuring our youth/academy stars towards the end of May, having seen some pictures taken at the recent Charlton game of the new stadium shows a few things to be completed on the perimeter of the stands it does look like the main stand is ready for action. The Dons played out a 0-0 against Ipswich Town last weekend to continue their recent run of form and then faced fellow relegation candidates Rochdale on Tuesday night where an 97th Minute Joe Pigott goal secured a vital point in a 3-3 draw and as a result of these with two games left we are currently sitting above the relegation places in 19th with 50 points. Just need a point from either of our final two games to be certain of another season in league one, or for Rochdale and Northampton to fail to win their games.

Onto today's game itself this Saturday in League One and our opponents today, Portsmouth, find themselves in 6th place in the league on 69 points so are also desperate for the three points here to secure their play off berth. Managed by Danny Cowley and assisted by his brother Nicky who took over in March 2021. They also played midweek and had a 3-3 draw themselves against Accrington Stanley, late goals for both sides meant they shared the spoils and despite the gap in the table this looks like it could be an open end to end encounter. Portsmouth top scorer John Marquis is the man to stop.

A victory for the Dons would almost certainly guarantee safety after a difficult season with only one more game to come against Lincoln next weekend.

Most Recent League Games (Tuesday night)
AFC Wimbledon 3 - 3 Rochdale

Accrington Stanley 3 - 3 Portsmouth

Head to Head
Our head to head form against Portsmouth is not too bad, never much in it, fourteen fixtures since our return to the league the Dons have five wins, Pompey have eight with only one draw. We did hit them 4-0 back in our first encounter, they reversed that in the last game we played, generally it's no more than one goal between the sides doubt it will be any more comfortable today.

Starting XI's [Confirmed]

AFC WIMBLEDON 

Win Odds - 21/10 [William Hill]
Tzanev (Gk),  🟨Alexander,  Heneghan,  Nightingale,  Guinness-Walker,  Longman,  🟨Dobson,  Woodyard (c),  Rudoni,  Palmer,  🟨⚽Pigott

SUBS - Cox (Gk),  O'Neill,  Harrison,  Oksanen,  Assal,  McLoughlin,  Kalambayi

PORTSMOUITH

Win Odds - 5/4 [William Hill]
MacGillivray (Gk),  Johnson,  Raggett,  Downing,  ⚽Brown,  Naylor (c),  Close,  Harness,  Williams,  🟨⚽Curtis,  Marquis

SUBS - Ward (Gk),  Bolton,  Cannon,  Nicolaisen,  Byers,  Daniels,  White

Selected Bets On This Match;

• Over 1.5 goals in 1st half @5/2.
• Joe Pigott to score first @4/1.
• Penalty to be awarded and scored @7/2.
• Bookings over 45 points @12/5.
• Over 3.5 goals in match @3/1. 

⚽Half Time Score - 1 - 3    [Pigott 23']    [Curtis 24' Brown 45', 45+4']

First Half Comments;

We are underway here at Plough Lane as Wimbledon kick off for this vital match at the end of the season. The visitors conjure up the first effort on goal but it's a high shot over Nik Tzanev's crossbar. Not much goal action but two bookings in under twenty minutes for Joe Pigott and George Dobson. And then the moment we needed as Joe Pigott scores on 23 minutes to put us 1-0 up, that joy is very short lived though as Portsmouth go straight up the other end to equalise one minute later, Ronan Curtis doing the damage 1-1. Other games are currently going in our favour too so hopefully we are staying up. The latter half of the opening period is fairly uneventful until a coming together between Cheye Alexander and Ronan Curtis sees them both going into the referee's book. Then a disaster bang on half time as the visitors take the lead from Lee Brown who then scores once again in stoppage time and all that good early work is done for we go in behind, now praying that the results elsewhere continue in our favour.

⚽Full Time Score - 1 - 3

Match Summary;
Yes we lost 1-3, but we actually won as a result of victories for Doncaster Rovers and Blackpool so we stay up. For long parts of the season I couldn't see it happening, but we've escaped again for another season in League One with a game to spare. Will need to improve once more next season but that was one rollercoaster of a season. 

My Man of the Match - Blackpool / Doncaster for doing their bit and keeping us up.

Attendance - Sadly still no one for the time being. Maybe sometime later this year would be nice, after all we've a new stadium to celebrate in 2021.

Today's Referee - Our match referee for this afternoon will be Mr Charles Breakspear from Surrey, he was in charge of our 2-2 draw against Charlton he averages about four bookings a game and not afraid to show a red too. Lot of penalties in his matches as well so will be looking to play in those markets. Assistant Referees today will be Michael Webb and Andy Bennett while our Fourth Official today is Conor Farrell.

Dons FINAL league match 2020/21 season:
Sunday 9th May vs Lincoln City (Away)
League One Kick off 12:00pm

NEWMARKET HORSE RACING - 2000 GUINEAS MEETING SATURDAY 1st MAY 2021

2000 Guineas Meeting - Saturday 1st May 2021
After last season's deferred meetings at least we are able to return to some sort of normal calendar with the opening 'Classics' for 2021 this weekend. Starting Saturday with the 2000 Guineas won last year by Kameko for trainer Andrew Balding creating history by recoding the fastest time over the 'Rowley Mile'. There are other feature events on the eight race card too, including the Palace House Stakes over 5f and the Jockey Club Stakes over 12f prior to the feature event. ITV racing will be covering the action over the weekend live as always.

Who will follow last year's 2000 Guineas Winner 'Kameko' (left) into the record books and win the first of this years' Classics. This years ante post favourite appears to be One Ruler trained by Charlie Appleby and will run in the famous blue silks for Godolphin. Looks a lot more open than some of the recent renewals and no doubt plenty of dangers especially from the Aiden O'Brien yard who accounts for 12 of the 72 entries left in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at the five day declarations stage, these are headed by Dewhurst Stakes first and second St Mark’s Basilica (not declared) and Wembley, looks like the latter stands his ground now and is joined by Van Gogh and Battleground. His son Joseph O'Brien also has a strong hand including Thunder Moon, winner of the National Stakes at the Curragh he also finished third in the Dewhurst. 

Going and Weather forecast:

Newmarket officials confirm that the going is currently - Good to Firm. The weather outlook for the weekend is for it to become much cooler than recent weeks, a significant chance of showers and a top temperature of 13C.

Click on this link for today's Newmarket 2000 Guineas Race-card. 
Today's Races and Selections;

13:15  Read Ryan Moore On Betting Betfair Handicap (3yo)
6f  [Class 2  4 runners]
Opening race for 2000 Guineas day is a decent sprint handicap for 3yo horses though only five have been declared led by CREATIVE FORCE the Godolphin runner trained by Charlie Appleby won here on debut was then bumped up to Royal Ascot's Coventry Stakes and then returned this year to win another handicap back over this course. Should prove popular in the better and the one they have to beat. 

Opposition includes Uncle Jumbo [Non Runner] who doesn't look like a ready winner here but will surely find a handicap later in the season, Perotto could be the main danger having raced well as a 2yo, including a third in a big field 'sales' race over this course / distance, while Bickerstaffe is respected though might return to the northern tracks for further success and If You Dare represents Mark Johnston but has been racing on the all weather and this appears to be quite a leap up for his first run on turf.

Result - (1) Creative Force @4/5f [W Buick].

13:50  'My Oddsboost' On Betfair Suffolk Stakes
1m 1f  [Class 2  10 runners]
Could well go to the boys in blue here who run both Bright Melody, a lightly raced 4yo who was successful at Meydan and also Dubai Legacy who has also run some big races over there during the winter and if seeing out this slightly longer trip could be there once more. 

Big prices available for ex Andre Fabre GRAPHITE (50/1) didn't land a blow in the Lincoln handicap and this is a bit easier, showed plenty of good form in France the year before and if retaining some ability should out run his odds.

Result - (2) Bell Rock @13/2 [William Carver].

Far Above - 2020 Palace House Winner.

14:25  Betfair Palace House Stakes
5f  [Group 3  9 runners]
The next supporting race a Group 2 for the fillies and mares is headed by Lazuli another Godolphin runner (C Appleby) won a Group 3 at Newbury and was placed in a decent race in Dubai over the winter, has to carry a penalty but respected. Came From The Dark had Garrus a neck back in second when they last run and it should be close between the pair once more. 

I'm going to side with one of the older horses though, JUDICIAL runs in the famous Elite Racing Club colours, won twice last year and has been placed in this event too with a rating around 108 continues to defy his age and the experience will aid him today.

Result - (1) Lazuli @3/1f [W Buick].

15:00  Betfair Exchange Jockey Club Stakes
1m 4f  [Group 2  5 runners]
The next Group contest for middle distance horses, with the big race not far away, sadly also has a small field of five declared with Al Zaraqaan heading them and has been progressing well with all weather wins this might be another step up but certainly not out of things. 

Pablo Escobar has been off for eight months and might need this, so we thing PYLEDRIVER is the one to follow having had success at Royal Ascot and York was then third in the St Leger is rated min 7lb higher that the nearest runner here. Sir Ron Priestly returned from a lay off to win at Nottingham but Thunderous is the interesting one now back up to his preferred trip and has Ryan Moore on board.

Result - (4) Sir Ron Priestly @15/8jf [F Norton].

15:40  Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes
1m  [Group 1  15 runners]
Finally we are ready for the first classic of the 2021 season, of the fifteen runners Aiden O'Brien has three in the same ownership, WEMBLEY seems his main pick with Ryan Moore riding but would not discount Van Gogh nor Battlement for the trainer that has already won ten times. As previously mentioned his son Joseph has a live contender with Thunder Moon and I'm sure he'll be looking to get one over on his father with this his first 2000 Guineas runner. 

Godolphin are also represented by three here, ONE RULER beat Van Gogh when they met here last October, that was on soft ground though, and might be different here today though support for Craven Stakes winner MASTER OF THE SEAS would be interesting as pick of the three by William Buick, their other contender is Naval Crown who at 50/1 might be the pace maker but a Group class horse in his own right. 

Elsewhere some big prices available LUCKY VEGA (25/1) is an each way shot for us a winner of a Group One last year and runner up last time the question is the trip but if he stays the mile has speed to make his presence felt? THIRD!

Result - (12) Poetic Flare @16/1 [K J Manning].

16:15  Betfair Exchange Handicap
6f  [Class 2  7 runners]
Very little between the seven declared runners here but will be interested to see how 4yo RAAEB continues to progress having easily won last time out and the owners colours should be having a busy day here while I also like the looks of COUNT OTTO who was keeping busy winning on the all weather over the winter and the six year old returned to turf to take a course win here beating Chil Chil last time who also reappears today but will take that pair against the field today.

Result - (2) Chil Chil @11/4jf [S De Sousa].

16:50  Betfair Newmarket Stakes (Listed) (3yo)
1m 2f  [Class 1  4 runners]
Slightly disappointing end to the card with just a four runner listed event where Secret Protector looks the one most likely to win here for Godolphin but at the short odds expected for Charlie Appleby's inmate I will chance the Sir Michael Stoute runner INIGO JONES against them with improvement surely expected after recent all weather runs. Mohaafeth (William Haggas) and Percy's Lad (Eve Johnson Houghton) make up the quartet.

Result - (2) Mohaafeth @2/1 [Jim Crowley].

17:25  Betfair Weighed-In Podcast Handicap (3yo)

1m  [Class 2  6 runners]
A small field handicap to end the card with today, six three year olds set forth, all nicely bred and could find plenty of winners here for the future, I prefer the form of ZWELELA has improved on her 2yo efforts winning twice this season already gets a little weight allowance too and the Richard Hannon yard are in good form (they also run Longlai). The main danger will probably be from the Godolphin team who could well have a profitable day and Magical Land should end his run of seconditis soon enough.

Result - (5) Crossford @7/2 [R L Moore].

Results should appear here later and please come back for tomorrow's card which of course includes the Qipco 1,000 Guineas.

HAPPY 52nd BIRTHDAY TO ME - 30th APRIL 1969 - 2021

30th APRIL 1969 - 2021

Happy Birthday old man !!
Well this has been a strange twelve months and no mistake, while we carry on working at home I never work my birthday and will certainly have the day off, not sure where to go though but shall make a plan to do something different today. Would have usually been off to Ascot this week with family and friends but that will be taking place without spectators still so will have to find something else to do. Have a ride down to Brighton on the trains probably just for a change of scenery if nothing else. 52 now, still feel a lot younger and I sure don't act my age most of the time ha ha. Keep well. Have a fun day. 

Will be having my second Covid-19 vaccination during this week too. Planning on a fairly quiet one safe at home on the Friday, probably open a bottle of something nice and raise a glass to wish you all a lovely day too. 

Happy Birthday to me! 

most of you won't get this reference...