MATCHDAY 2
BURTON 1 - 3 AFC WIMBLEDON
Back into league action today and I was hoping for a reaction from the players following our defeat in the League Cup.
And I got the response I was after, we went ahead through Danny Kedwell(21), but were soon pegged back by a Andrew Corbett(35)strike. Sammy Moore(39) quickly restored our lead, and new signing Craig Westcarr(54) scored on his debut to put the game out of reach.
MATCHDAY 3
AFC WIMBLEDON 3 - 0 YEOVIL
Our game against Yeovil, who were relegated from the League 1, was to be our first real test, unfortunately the game was marred by a nasty rib injury to Nikola Saric, which resulted in him being ruled out for 8 weeks. The injury didn't stop the team getting a fantastic result though, Sammy Moore(22), Danny Kedwell(55) and Craig Westcarr(83) continued their fine goalscoring run.
MATCHDAY 4
SHREWSBURY 0 - 0 AFC WIMBLEDON
Despite this being a goalless draw, we continued our fine run in the league, still remaining unbeaten. The only incident of note was Ian Sharps(Sent off, 68) for a professional foul, and even though we had a man advantage we couldn't find that elusive goal.
JOHNSTONE'S PAINT TROPHY SOUTH 1st ROUND
AFC WIMBLEDON 2 - 4 CHELTENHAM
I felt that following on from our trip to Wembley last season, this was a competition I hoped we could win and the players would relish another trip down Wembley Way. We found ourselves 2 nil down inside 20 minutes, goals from Frankie Artus(14) and Wesley Thomas(19). Danny Kedwell(Pen,44) scored right before half time and when Kedwell(49) scored again I thought we would push on and win the game. Cheltenham on the other hand had other ideas, Brian Smikle(61)and Steve Elliott(72) put the away side through and left me feeling deflated. The only positive I had to take was that maybe with our small squad and the League being our priority, maybe it's a blessing we are out!!!
MATCHDAY 5
AFC WIMBLEDON 1 - 1 SOUTHEND
The main question today was, how was our bounce back ability?? And in one word 'poor'. The loss of Nikola Saric has seemed to hit the team hard and we were missing that bit of quality in the final third, and today's game was no different, we had to scrap right to the end to get a point. Jonny Herd(Pen,17) scored from the spot after a mistake by Brett Johnson. Things got worse in the second half as our main goal threat Danny Kedwell(Sent off,71) was shown a straight red for a horror tackle, something that he has done last season aswell, leaving us to battle for a point, and Ismail Yakubu(82) rose late in the game to head home the equaliser.
**Danny Kedwell got fined a weeks wages after his dismissal today**
MATCHDAY 6
LINCOLN 1 - 2 AFC WIMBLEDON
A makeshift strike force today with Craig Westcarr playing as the lonely striker and Luke Moore in behind him, as we were missing Nikola Saric still and the suspended Danny Kedwell for the next 3 games. Luke Hubbins(8) got the home side off to a perfect start and it stayed that way until after a half time dressing down kicked the players into life. First Craig Westcarr(51) and then Brett Johnson(74) put us in front and we managed to hold on.
'' Sky Sports News can confirm that AFC Wimbledon have signed Stoke youngster Louis Moult on loan for 3 months, this is to cover the suspension to Danny Kedwell and injury to Nikola Saic''.
MATCHDAY 7
MORECAMBE 2 - 3 AFC WIMBLEDON
I gave Louis Moult his debut today, even though he hadn't trained or met any of the players, but sometimes a gamble pays off. I went with a 442 formation which i use when Nikola Saric is unavailable, as we don't have anyone who can fill his role at present. Brett Johnson(7) and the new boy Louis Moult(28) gave us a great lead at the interval. Michael Ngoo(47) scored straight from the restart to half the deficit, but my gamble paid off even more when Louis Moult(54) scored with a delightful chip and got his second and our third of the game. Chris Shuker(64) ensured a nail biting finish but again we hung on in there and claimed the 3 pts.
**Sammy Moore picked up an injury in today's game ruling him out for 7 weeks.**
'' In response to the injury to Sammy Moore, AFC Wimbledon have again been busy by bringing in West Ham starlet George Moncur on loan for 3 months to help ease a miini injury crisis at the Surrey club''.
MATCHDAY 8
AFC WIMBLEDON 2 - 2 OXFORD
Both Louis Moult and George Moncur made their home debuts and it would of been winning ones had we not switched off late in the game. Josh Payne(13) scored against the run of play to stun the home fans, but we were back on level terms through Craig Westcarr(27). It was Westcarr(63) with his fifth of the season who put us infront. Only for a lapse of concentration in the final minutes to allow James Constable(88) the opportunity to equalise much to my annoyance.
We have started off the season really well, and our unbeaten in the league at present. Major concern I have is the amount of injuries we are picking up and to crucial players and parts of the team that are hard to replace.
Here is the current League table after 8 games.