AFC Wimbledon News Archive

Crowds, Sending Off's, Wonder Goals & Victory - So a damp wet cold evening down at Kingsmeadow for a London Senior Cup 1st round tie saw 1,403 people turn up to witness a 4-0 victory over Woodford Town. The main talking points of the evening came when late on Woodford had two players sent off neither waited for the card and just ran off taking of there shirts and then a goal by Danny Roberts which was scored from the half we were defending right out on the touch line. It would be fair to say if measured it would come in at 65 yards and a cracking end to the evening the other goals were scored by Gavin Boulger and Kevin Cooper who scored twice including direct from a free kick for the second game running.

Wed Oct 30 21:39:24 2002 - 4-0 65 yards oakins
Wed Oct 30 21:36:31 2002 - 9 men for woodford
Wed Oct 30 21:30:01 2002 - woodford down to 10
Wed Oct 30 21:19:18 2002 - 3-0 cooper direct from free kick
Wed Oct 30 21:09:54 2002 - coops 2-0
Wed Oct 30 21:08:32 2002 - close shave 4 dons throw given when it a corner then top save by merry and then ward
Wed Oct 30 21:02:10 2002 - great shot by cooper blocked by keeper 4 corner
Wed Oct 30 20:56:47 2002 - great sully run ball skyed over bar
Wed Oct 30 20:54:49 2002 - wardy on 4 sidwell
Wed Oct 30 20:53:09 2002 - robson on for boulger 2nd half kicked off
Wed Oct 30 20:41:31 2002 - crowd 1403 :)
Wed Oct 30 20:18:14 2002 - dons 1 up
Wed Oct 30 20:08:03 2002 - shot wide by oakins
Wed Oct 30 20:06:42 2002 - shot from distance wide by cooper
Wed Oct 30 20:03:16 2002 - great play by oakins but cleared
Wed Oct 30 19:55:11 2002 - sorry game kicked off cooper missed chance, attacking west bank

As I was not able to see the match tonight i've used the match details from ITMUSTBEDONS.com (hope you dont mind paul).

Tonight the Dons face Woodford at home in the London Seniors Cup kick off at 7.45pm pay on the door. This will also be the 1st match I've missed this season, so I will wish the boys good luck and come on you dons lets me see you in the next round.

More Suspension News - Danny Roberts picked up a 7 day ban following the Brimsdown game when he was sent off he will miss the trip to Wallingford.

Terry Eames also had his disrepute hearing on Monday evening and terry was found guilty and fined £50 and a touchline ban of 4 games. As Terry has watched the last four games from the stand he will be back in the dugout from tonight.

Saturday 26 October 2002
Tower of Power Hits Cobham for Three.
AFC Wimbledon 4-0 Cobham

Ali Russell went down in history today as the 1st AFC Wimbledon player to score a hat-trick.

The 1st was on 5 mins wwhen he got on the end of a well placed cross, ten minutes later Ali got the 2nd in what was another goal of the season moment when from the edge of his box the Cobham goalkeeper instead of catching a long ball he desided to headed the ball out, staight on to the chest of Ali who then went on to lob the ball back towards the goal with pinpoint presition that the backward moving goalkeeper could not reach it.

The Dons should have been five or six up by half time with the no stop pressure but the score remained 2-0.

With a very strong wind behind us in the 2nd half it did not take long before the wombles got back in the Cobham box and on 50 minutes Ali Russell once again got onto the end of a cross to head the wombles into a 3-0 lead and to get his hat-trick.

The wombles could have settled for three goals as Cobham had not even troubled Ray Merry in goal, but Kevin Cooper looking left out wanted to get on to scoresheet and way he could and started to turn the Cob's defenders inside out, on 55 mins Gavin Bolger was up ended about 35yrds out and who was 1st to place the bal, yes there was Super Kevin Cooper to bend the ball round the Cobhams wall into the opposite bottom corner of the goal 4-0.

Then it was Andy Sullivian turn to twist the defenders this way and that in the box but was unable to get a clean shot on goal.

Team : Ray Merry, Mark Nicholas, Simon Bassey, Danny Oakins, Tony Reading, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Gavin Bolger, Ali Russell, Kevin Cooper, Andy Sullivan.

Manager Terry Eames has named the following players in the team to face Cobham tomorrow.

Ray Merry, Danny Oakins, Mark Nicholas, Simon Bassey, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Gavin Bolger, Andy Sullivan, Ali Russell, Kevin Cooper, Neil Robson, Danny Roberts, Chris Theodore.

Saturdays see the Dons play there 1st home match since the 2nd of October, we play host to Cobham currently 15th in the table, their last three games have all been draw against Feltham,Frimley G and Walton C.

Cobham have only won three games this season, but they where all away from home but Cobham have also lost three games this season by 5 goals to 1 so lets hope we can make it four 5-1's and not four draws or four away wins.

So far no official team news as yet, but there will obviously be no Joe Sheerin, but the OS does have a special feature on Joe's progress, the news is his hamstring strain has responded well to treatment. Click here for more.

Tuesday 22 October 2002
Cherry Red Books Trophy Ditton v AFC Wimbledon
Tonight's game is OFF due to waterlogged pitch .

Today we kick off our challenge for the Cherry Red Books Trophy against Ditton, the game is to be played at King George's Field, Hook Rise South,Tolworth, Surrey, KT6 7NA, kick-off 7:30pm. Travel Information.

This is also our third cup tie in three different competitions this season and with the us going through on penalties in last two and the likelihood of it tipping down tonight let's hope we can win it in 90 min's.

With Keith Ward suspended for the next two games hotshot Danny Oakins (7 goals out of his last 6 game) will almost certainly be back in his normal role as a defender after his day upfront against Farnham, and with Ali Russell not 100% as yet this maybe the 1st start for new signing Conrad Kane to make an good impression and stake a claim for strikers position currently left open by the injury to Joe Sherrin.

On a warm October Saturday AFC Wimbledon descended on the Town of Farnham and with roadwork's on the A3 this non league game was delayed 15 mins to allow for the late comers, and with the Wombles on an 8 game unbeaten run and Farnham without a win at home all season the result should have been a foregone conclusion, but this is football and we love it..

With the AFCW fans behind them on the raised end with the knee high barriers,of the From the start the wombles dominated chance after chance all sailing over the bar and the occasional one or two into the back gardens at that end havit style.

The 1st half ended 0-0, with new goalkeeper Ray Merry having no chances to show what he could do.

Second half was pretty much the same of the 1st, with the attacks all going one way i.e. ours, but with the Wombles making hard work of what should have been a walkover, it was not until the 87 min that the wombles broke through a solid Farnhams defenses, it came from a free kick just outside the box hit by Danny Oakins it went low and hard to the goalkeepers right and into the back of the net. 0-1 Wombles.

Team :Ray Merry, Keith Ward, Simon Bassey, Danny Oakins, Tony Readings (capt) Booked 60, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Mark Nicholas, Gavin Bolger, Kevin Cooper 70, Andy Sullivan

Subs Ali Russell 70, Danny Roberts, Sim Johnston

Also today was the day North Ggreenford proved that Ash are humans after all beating them 3-5, where now only seven points behind with a game in hand.

TERRY Eames has named the following squad for tomorrows clash away to Farnham Town:

Ray Merry, Keith Ward, Danny Roberts, Simon Bassey, Mark Nicholas, Tony Readings, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Mark Bolger, Andy Sullivan, Danny Oakins, Kevin Cooper, Conrad Kane, Ali Russell, Sim Johnston.

Friday 18 October 2002
Two New Players Conrad Kane & Ray Merry & One Leaving.

MANAGER Terry Eames has signed two players ahead of this Saturday's return to League action.

The Dons have signed Conrad Kane formally of Bromley Carshalton Crawley Dulwich Hamlet Diton Kingstonian and Merstham signed from Tooting and Mitcham having scored 90 goals in 179 appearances.

also joinning us is Ray Merry as cover for Glyn (groin) & Andy (apendix), Ray will be straight in the side for the game against Farnham Town. 29 year-old Ray has joined from Netherne Village but has also played for Whyteleafe.

Leaving the club is player/coach Julian King. Julian was unable to be guaranteed a startdue to the size of the squad. Taking over his role as player/coach is Neil Robson. We wish Julian all the best for the future and thank him for his role in bringing on the Dons, also good luck to Neil in his new role.

THIS match has been confirmed as pay on the day. £5 admission, £2 programme with no concessionary prices but under-14s will be admitted free.

Our London Senior Cup game against Woodford has been confirmed for Wedsnesday 30th October this game will be held at Kingsmeadows, which will also mean I will miss my 1st AFC-Wimbledon game :-( as I'm away that week so come on you Dooonnnsss, 27/27 not bad.

Standing - Adults £6, Concessions £3, Under-16s £2
Seated - Adults £8, Concessions £4, Under-16s £3

AFC Wallingford, Saturday 23 November.
Wallingford Sports Park, Hithercroft Road, Wallingford, Oxfordshire.

Admission will be by ticket only, priced at £5, including a matchday programme.

Tickets are available for sale by post immediately and at the Cobham and Woodford games to season ticket holders only, on surrender of voucher "C".

As from 2 November by post and at the Chessington & Hook game we will sell tickets to Dons Trust members as well as any other season ticket holders who have yet to apply.

As from 16 November by post and at the Southall game, we will sell tickets to anyone who wants one.

Postal applications must be received by Wednesday 20 November in order to be processed. We will not send tickets out in response to any applications received after this date, to avoid the possibility of tickets not arriving before the match.

Tickets are £5 including programme. For postal applications, please send a cheque made payable to AFC Wimbledon Ltd, and a stamped, self-addressed envelope, to:

Wallingford Tickets
AFC Wimbledon
297 Haydons Road
Wimbledon
London
SW19 8TX

Dons Trust members – please include a note of your Dons Trust membership number.

Any postal applications made without a stamped, self-addressed envelope will not be processed.

Premier Challenge Cup 2nd Round vs Southall
Saturday 16 November, Kingsmeadow.

Standing - Adults £6, Concessions £3, Under-16s £2
Seated - Adults £8, Concessions £4, Under-16s £3

THIS match has been confirmed as pay on the day. £5 admission, £2 programme with no concessionary prices but under-14s will be admitted free.

AFTER a few weeks with a full complement of players available for selection, inuries seem to have hit us with a vengeance. We started last Saturday's game against Walton Casuals without Joe Sheerin, Sean Marshall and Danny Oakins. Ali Russell was absent on a pre-arranged holiday, but coincidentally he would have been doubtful anyway.

Joe Sheerin
Joe strained one of the hamstring muscles in his right leg in the game at Goldalming & Guildford.

Initially, the club doctor Dr Wheeler, and I thought that 6-8 weeks would be the minimum before Joe could return to the team. However, last Monday there was a little more hope. The injury may not be as bad as originally thought and after intensive treatment Joe is now doing light training in the gym.

Nevertheless, Joe requires more treatment but we can now hope to pencil him in for the second round of the Premier Cup.

However, I must stress that Joe will not be rushed back until we are sure that he will be able to complete the rest of the season with no recurrence of this type of injury.

Sean Marshall
In the same game, Sean sprained the ankle ligaments in his right foot. He too has responded well to treatment but it may well be prudent to not consider him until the game against Cobham.

Danny Oakins
Ironically after going through a personal battle in the game at Godalming Danny received a strain to a hip flexor away from football. (Lee Sidwell says he was picking up his wallet when the strain happened!).

However, I am hopeful that Terry will have him available for Saturday's game at Farnham Town.

Ali Russell
Ali's right shin was badly bruised in the game against Bedfont, but he was able to play against Godalming and Guildford with some protection.

In my opinion there is bruising in the lining of the tibia which is extremely uncomfortable. The rest Ali is now taking is fortuitous for him and us and he should be fit for selection on Saturday or next Tuesday.

You can order via payment to the Dons Trust (profits to same).
£10 each plus a guess at P&P for your country of origin.

Currently they have:
Sutton (first ever match)
Sandhurst (first ever league match)
Chipstead (first home match)
Cove (first win)
Hartley Wintney (Sim's screamer)

Arriving soon available on preorder:
Bedfont (possibly with the internet commentary if they can get the
video guy and Radio WDON together and do some mixing wotsit
clever stuff)

14/10/2002
Glyn Shimell Out For Few Games - Not confirmed on OS as yet, but reports are that Glyn Shimmel went in to hospital for an operation that he had been due to have for a while today at present not sure how long he will be out for but with Andy Bell (apendix) also out at the moment (though he has just started doing light training) it looks like we will be needing a new goalkeeper. It's possible that it could be Ray Merry the goalkeeper currently playing Netherne Village.

14/10/2002
Cobham Home Game - Due to Kingstonian's FA Cup lose at the weekend the home game against Cobham which was in doult will go ahead as planned.

Saturday 12 October 2002
Premier Division Challenge Cup 1st Round
1 Walton Casuals v AFC Wimbledon 1
AFC Wimbledon win 1-4 on penalties

With under 9's football, live music a beer tent provide by Walton Casuals it was a near perfect start to the day but with a lackluster performance for 90 mins plus extra time, the only other entertainment was our second penalty shoot-out in the cup this season and we've only had two cup games.

The Dons took the lead on 45 mins from a riffled home shot by Kevin Cooper, this was the highlight of the 1st half.

In the 2nd half Walton came at the Wombles and with only 15 minutes left equalized, the player seem to be going though the motions for the rest of the half and Walton Casuals could have won the match in the 89min when Keeper Glyn Shimmel went to clear a backpass on to hit the on coming forward, leaving the forward with an open goal until Danny Roberts made a last minute tackle to put it out for a corner.

And so to penalties the Dons took the 1st pen and went 1-0 up, Walton scored there 1st but with the Dons scoring there 2nd and Glyn saving a week pen from Walton at 2-1 it was looking good, up popped Kevin Cooper to score our 3rd pen, 3-1, the Walton player stepped up to take there 3rd an blasted off the crossbar leaving the Dons only needing only to score to go though up stepped new boy Mark Nicolas and placed the ball in the back of the net to win the match 4-1.

Also good performances by the two new boys Mark Nicholas and Gavin Bolger, both seem solid and able to control the ball which is a good sign.

Team : Shimell, Ward, Nicholas, Readings (capt), Roberts; Sidwell, Bassey (Johnston), Bolger, Sullivan; Cooper, Mulcaire (sub Robson).

In the League Ash Utd opened up a 10 point gap on us while having playing a game extra at the same time doing us a small favor by whipping Hartley Wintey who are two places below us 8-1.

On an International note it was good to see the AFCW flag flying high at the England match, and also mentioned on radio 5 live by Jonathan Pearce.

MANAGER Terry Eames has named the following squad for tomorrows clash with Walton Casuals:

Glyn Shimell, Keith Ward, Danny Roberts, Mark Nicholas, Tony Readings, Sim Johnston, Lee Sidwell, Gavin Bolger, Simon Bassey, Andy Sullivan, Glen Mulcaire, Kevin Cooper, Neil Robson, Lee Passmore.

Commenting on the OS about his approach to the Premier Challenge Cup Terry said:

"This cup gives me an opportunity to look at players but make no mistake - it's a cup we want on our mantelpiece and a cup we will be doing our best to win".

Couple Of Players In - News of a couple of players who have joined the squad first up is a name that you may know in Gavin Bolger, if you think you know the name it's because last year he was part of Wimbledon FC's youth team so it's extra nice to welcome Gavin to the club. Another player and also with Selhurst connections, but Palace, is Mark Nicholas who was one of there youth team players. Both players are only 19 and will be in Saturday's squad.

06/10/2002
Monday Night TV -If your wondering what to watch on Monday evening before the MahCho game and The Office tune into to BBC1 South East at 19:30 for a programme that will have a 10 minute section on AFC Wimbledon, the cameras were at the North Greenford Game and so should have some good action as well as following Kris & Ivor round.

If you don't live in the London area don't panic you have two options, from 20:00 the show will be on the BBC Website at the following link but if you have SKY Digital you should be able to get BBC London by reading the following (click here) when it gives you the option of local programme ignore it and it will pick up the London Signal, I hope this all works.

Kevin Cooper got back into his goalmachine form, with 2 goals, the 1st after just 2 mins by running onto a through ball and powering the ball pass the keeper. The 2nd was the wombles 3rd goal off the game when again running on a through had only the goalkeeper to beat and unlike Joe Sheerin earlier in the match he lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the back of the goal.

In between both Coops goals the Gees equilised the a long range curving ball by there no.11, then Joe Sheerin went off injuried after landing badly from a corner challenge, from the resulting corner the ball went over everyones head, Coops put the ball back into the box only for Neil Robson wh had an open goal put the ball out for a throw on the far side.

Danny Oakins put the back in the lead after looping a bouncing ball on the edge of the box over the head of a backward running goalkeeper.

With the score at 3-1 and 10 mins to goal the referee went card mad booking about 6 player and then sending Neil Robson off for being trampled on, he then went on to send Godalmings no. 8 off for an off the ball incident and to top it of he then sent off the Don's manager Terry Eames.

Team :Glyn Shimmel, Keith Ward, Danny Roberts, Danny Oakins, Tony Reading, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Neil Robson s/o, Joe Sheerin, Kevin Cooper, Andy Sullivan.

AFC Wallingford 4-2 Chipstead
Bedfont 2-4 Ash United
Chessington & H 0-3 NGreenford Utd
Chessington Utd 1-1 Farnham T
Cobham 1-1 Feltham
Godalming & G 1-3 AFC Wimbledon
Raynes Pk Vale 3-1 Walton Casuals
Reading Town 2-1 Westfield
Sandhurst Town 0-3 Withdean 2000
Southall 1-2 Merstham
Viking Greenford 1-2 Frimley Green

AFC Wimbledon have moved offices. The office is no longer based at 297 Haydons Road, although that will continue to be our postal address for the time being.

New offices are in Highlands House, at 165 The Broadway in Wimbledon. However, these offices are not suitable for a large number of personal callers.

This game is No Longer All Ticket and they will be allowing entrance on the day to those who have not bought tickets in advance.

THE game against Ditton, in the Cherry Red Books Trophy on Tuesday 22 October, will
be held at Corinthian Casuals' ground, King George's Field, Hook Rise South,
Tolworth, Surrey, KT6 7NA, kick-off 7:30pm.

COMMERCIAL Director Ivor Heller has announced a second merchandise committee meeting for next Thursday 10 October to be held at 297, Haydons Road, Wimbledon, SW19 8TX, starting at 7:30pm.

NETHERNE Village are set to play a 1st round Surrey Cup tie against Seagrave Haulage Premier League side Westfield on Tuesday 8th October.

Dons manager Terry Eames will take the opportunity to watch some of his squad in action. AFC Wimbledon are not due to play Westfield until February next year when they visit Kingsmeadow but this game provides a chance for Dons fans to watch and support the likes of Sim Johnston, Dave Towse, Dave Fry, Akin Gallimore, Mehmet Mehmet, Daniel Couch and Trigger.

Details of Westfield's ground are in the away team section which can be found here.

Joe Sheerin scored two goals for the second time in two games, both teams had a play sent off (Simon Bassey for us) for fighting each other making it another boring evening at kingsmeadow NOT.

With the score 1-1 at half time thanks to Joe Sheerin 1st goal and some bad marking by our defenders the game looked 50-50, but the 2nd half was totally different with Lee Sidwell scoring within a minute of kickoff it was all one way.

But the celebrations did not start until the last five minutes when Joe scored his 2nd, then Ali Russell volleyed in a cross from the left to make it 4-1 and to top it off the Dogs Bxxxxxks Keith Ward looked like he was going to score his usual 90 minute header, but it was touched over the line by Danny Oakins to make the final score 5-1 & make Danny Oakins joint top scorer with Kevin Cooper.

The Wombles are now joint 3rd with AFC Wallingford and only seven points off Ash Utd at the top bring on Godalming & Guildford Saturday.

Team : Glyn Shimmel, Keith Ward, Danny Roberts, Danny Oakins, Tony Reading, Lee Sidewll, Simon Bassey (s-off), Lee Passmore, Joe Sheerin, Sean Marshall.

Goalscorers : Joe Sheerin 34, 85, Lee Sedwell 46, Ali Russell 87, Keith Ward 90.

THE following are changes and/or confirmations of forthcoming fixtures...

Farnham Town - Away - Saturday 19th October.
Despite contrary information in the recent North Greenford United matchday programme - this game is ON as originally scheduled.

Ditton - Away - Cherry Red Books Trophy - Tuesday 22nd October.
This match is ON but the venue remains unconfirmed at this time. Details will be published on the official website as soon as the club receives confirmation.

Feltham - Home - Wednesday 23rd October.
This game is CANCELLED and will be rescheduled. Again, keep an eye on the official website for an update of the rearranged date.

Back to the Top

Wednesday 2 October 2002
Gaffer and skipper look preview tonight's game.

MANAGER Terry Eames sounded cautious but confident when weighing up the job ahead:

"Bedfont are an above average side at this level, very organised and very
direct, but we have got to get maximum points from this game and then in Saturday's match at Godalming and Guildford.

I honestly wasn't expecting anything up to this stage of the season,
because the club has only been in existence for four months, so to be fourth
in the league is amazing.

We are getting such a good spirit in the side, which is half the battle at
this level of football - at 3-1 down against North Greenford in our last
home match, the players felt it was a liberty that they were in that
position. They really care what the fans think of them."

Joe Sheerin commented after having been substituted in last Saturday's 5-0 win away to Frimley Green:

"I picked up a bit of a knock against Frimley Green on Saturday but I should be OK for the game against Bedfont. I reckon my fitness level is now 90%."

Monday 2 October 2002
Wardy gets his ban.

Keith Ward's long awaited enforced abscence has finally made it way to the club, he will miss any match that falls between the dates of Monday 21 October to Sunday 27 October. This means he will not be available for selection for the matches against Ditton (away in the Cherry Red Books Trophy) and Cobham (home in the league).

A Week Football
Tuesday 29th October
Premier Division
Bedfont 6-0 Viking Greenford Cove 2-2 Reading Town Sandhurst Town 2-1 Hartley Wintney
Wednesday 30th October
London Senior Cup
AFC Wimbledon 4-0 Woodford

A Week Football
Saturday 26th October
Premier Division
AFC Wimbledon 4-0 Cobham Chessington & Hook 1-3 Bedfont Chipstead 0-2 Sandhurst Town Feltham 4-1 Walton Casuals Hartley Wintney 3-0 Farnham Town Merstham 2-1 Cove North Greenford Utd 0-3 Godalming & G Raynes Park Vale 1-3 AFC Wallingford Reading Town 2-0 Chessington United Southall 2-1 Ash United Westfield 2-2 Frimley Green Withdean 2000 9-0 Viking Greenford
Tuesday 29th October
Premier Division
Bedfont v Viking Greenford Cove v Reading Town Sandhurst Town v Hartley Wintney
Wednesday 30th October
London Senior Cup
AFC Wimbledon v Woodford


Latest on Joe Sheerin 'the word is that he heard his Hamstring "pop" and could be out for a good 6 weeks'.	Pictures for the Godalming & G posted up.