Sunday 11th May 2003

On a wet and windy Sunday afternoon the Dons paid a visit to Netherne to thank them for their support with players etc this season, with Netherne also getting some good preparation against a nearly all 1st team AFCW team, NV had Trigger starting in midfield and took the lead, when the ref awarded a penalty for handball, then NV went 2-0 up with a fine strike from the right of the box past Ray Merry.

The Dons pulled one back before half time when Gareth Graham & Andy Sullivan took a short free kick and centred the ball in for Danny Oakins to side foot the ball home half time 2-1.

On exiting the club house just after half the rain was coming down harder and the Dons had pulled a goal back 2-2, and then went 2-3 up, but NV did not give up and pulled back to 3-3.

Then Gareth went off with about 15 minutes left and 2 minutes later came back out of the changing rooms modelling a no. 13 green top and replaced Ray Merry in goal, Ray then came on and went up front and only just missed the chance to put the Dons in the lead, when he put the ball clear into the next field, then with five minutes left NV work their way down the line and swung in a low cross, which 3 Dons had covered, until a NV player slipped in between them and drove the ball pass a diving Gareth Graham 4-3.

Matt Everard gave GG stick for letting the goal, then giving him a crafty smile to show he was only joking, before stripping his top of and saying to Gareth you go centre back and finished the game in goal.

Final result 4-3 Netherne and good but wet day had by all, and the NV performance was much better than the 0-0 draw the day before against Bookham, next up for Netherne V is a Cup Final on Tuesday against Farleigh Rovers at Tooting & Mitchams ground.

Don't forget players like Sim Johnstone, Danny Roberts, Dave Fry, Dave Towse, Akim Gallimore, Daniel Couch, Chris Theodore and of course Trigger have been a part of this club from the begining so let's get as many Dons down there to support them as possible. Directions

Monday 5 May 2003
How great was today.

Well done to Raynes Park Vale for making this a great game to watch and top goal, but two goals from Kevin Cooper one a penalty, plus two well headed goals from Danny Oakins and another Beckhamess free kick from Neil Robsons gave the Dons a 5-1victory over local rivals.

Dave Beasent, Lawrie Sanchez, Robbie Earle, Roger Joseph, Dickie Guy plus some of the 63 Amateur Cup winning team all turned up and came on the pitch at half time.

After the match Coops final scored with his head on the 5th or 6th cross from Andy Sullivan he planted the ball and Ivor it to the back of the net and raised over £1,200 for the Stadium Fund.

The Official Player of the Year was won by Lee Sidwell and the trophy was presented to him by last years winner Kevin Cooper of Wolves, Lee also won the Players Player of the Year.

Junior Don's Player of the Year was won by Kevin Cooper, who also won this websites player of the year.

Team : Ray Merry, Keith Ward, Neil Robson, Danny Oakins, Matt Everard, Lee Sidwell, Noel Frankum, Gavin Bolger, Joe Sheerin, Kevin Cooper, Andy Sullivan

Subs (All Used) : Lee Passmore, Mark Nicholas, Ali Russell

Goalscorer : Danny Oakins (2), Kevin Cooper (2), Neil Robson

Attendance : 4,560

Saturday 3 May 2003
Reading Town 0 - AFC Wimbledon 2

A goal in each half sealed the win for the Dons, in a not to convincing win where Reading T only had one shot on goal and Coops missed a 2nd half penalty and could have had at least the or four more goals as well.

Matt's goal came in the usual way after Sully was brought down on the edge of the box, Neil Robson popped in the freekick and there was Matt Everard to head home his tenth goal since joining us.

Coops goal came 14 minutes into the 2nd half when Keith Ward got hold of the ball on the halfway line and lofted the ball into the box where Coops yes Coops got his head to the ball and put it over the keepers head, but not in the direction of the goal he then rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home.

The penalty came from a corner where 3 or 4 player tussled for the ball on the line and Reading T's No. 4 scooped the ball away with his hand, Kevin placed the ball down and hit it low to his right the keeper guessed right and parried it away into the path of Matt Everard who then hit the ball out the ground.

Three more points and another clean sheet, next away match is in Wales against Newport County on the 2nd August.

Team : Ray Merry, Keith Ward, Neil Robson, Danny Oakins, Matt Everard, Lee Sidwell, Noel Frankum, Gavin Bolger, Joe Sheerin, Kevin Cooper, Andy Sullivan

Subs (All Used) : Lee Passmore, Mark Nicholas, Ali Russell

Goalscorer : Matt Everard (14), Kevin Cooper (58)

Attendance : 800+

Saturday 26 April 2003

Hat-trick Hero Lee

Before the game started the Junior Dons were presented with their certificates by Terry Eames, then the AFC Wimbledon Ladies team was introduced to the crowd.

After two total one sided games the 2nd to last home match against Walton Casuals looked like being a more balanced game with both sides having a couple of chances, but on 16 minutes after an earlier knock Gareth Graham went off injured just after he took a shot on goal he went to the ground holding his knee, then just after that the oppositions number five got involved with Matt Everard off the ball for which they where both sent off.

On 36 minutes Lee Sidwell received the ball on the right touch line turn two Casual player inside out, moved towards the edge of the box and drove home a shot pass the out coming keeper, for the next twenty minutes the Dons had more chances, with Sheerin and Coops both have their far share & Coops should also have had a penalty, the linesman flagged for it but the ref played on to the astonishment of the players and crowd HT 1-0.

The 2nd Half start with the Dons attacking the Athletics End and having most of the play and on 66 minutes Lee Sidwell once again went on a driving run though the Casuals (and they where) defence and once again stuck the ball unstoppable into the back of the net 2-0 Dons.

It was another off day for the strikers and Coops was the 1st to come off on 73 minutes he was replaced by Mark Nicholas just after missing a good chance, then on 79 minutes the ball was swung in from the left and a Dons player was brought down in the box, and the ref this time had no hesitation but to give a penalty, up stepped Lee Sidwell, well on a hat-trick wouldn't you, the ref blow his whistle Lee took his run up to the ball stuck it cleanly, the keeper dived to Lee's Right, the ball went into the bottom right corner 3-0 and Lee got his ha-trick.

There was another couple of chances the best falling to Ali Russell just after coming on for Joe Sheerin on 81 minutes, the ball was played though to him, Ali got his foot to the ball but it dribbled just wide, final score 3-0 the Dons, 3 more points in the bag.

AFC Wallingford and Withdean 2k also both won today and both are needing one win each to secure the top two places for each other, it looks like we may have to settle for 3rd, but then again if on the 28th May last year someone had said to you 'a year from now you can have a team started from scratch on a common finishing 3rd in the league, having scored over 100 goals, and also be on the way to buying your own ground and enjoying your football again' I would have said Yep I'm having some of that.

Team : Glyn Shimell, Keith Ward, Neil Robson, Danny Oakins, Matt Everard, Lee Sidwell, Gareth Graham, Gavin Bolger, Joe Sheerin, Kevin Cooper, Andy Sullivan

Subs (All Used) : Noel Frankum, Mark Nicholas, Ali Russell

Goalscorer : Lee Sidwell (36,66,79pen)

Attendance : 2,809

Monday 21 April 2003

The Don's ran out convincing winners in the Merton Derby with a 2nd consecutive five nil win, on another top quality pitch the Dons played some of the best football that they have played all season and the game was all but rapped up at half time with a three nil lead, the 1st goal coming on 25mins from a corner by Lee Sidwell on the right the ball was clear straight back out to him and then re crossed in onto the head of Big Matt Everard.

The 2nd was on 39min from a free kick given after Gareth Graham was chopped down on the edge of the box, Neil Robson set the ball up then curled it over the four man wall into the top left corner, the 3rd once again came after some fine passing on the left side the ball was switch back to the right and this time Danny Oakins laid on the cross to the back of the box and a waiting Andy Sullivan to head the ball back across into the top of the net.

The second half started a bit slower and Raynes Park had a few chances, but on 59 mins the Dons had a corner on the left which Andy Sullivan floated across the head of Danny Oakins four nil, with the game won Terry Eames took off Cooper and Graham and replaced them with Frankum and Russell, Raynes park then had there best chance of the game in which the ball looked like it had gone over the line before Matt Everard had cleared it away.

The fifth and final goal came in the 88th and once again came from a corner this time on the right, Lee Sidwell crossed over and Danny Oakins once again got his head to the ball only to hit the woodwork and the ball went downward on the upward bounce Matt Everard was first their to head home his 2nd of the game.

Final result 0-5 the Dons, also 3 more point to take us pass the 100 for the season, see you again in two weeks Raynes Park same again please.

Team : Ray Merry, Keith Ward, Matt Everard, Neil Robson, Danny Oakins, Lee Sidwell, Gareth Graham, Gavin Bolger, Andy Sullivan, Joe Sheerin, Kevin Cooper.

Subs : Lee Passmore, Noel Frankum, Ali Russell

Goalscorers : Matt Everard (25,89), Neil Robson (39), Andy Sullivan (44), Danny Oakins (59)

Attendance : TBA

Saturday 19 April 2003

In a truly one sided game where the only chance to full to Viking was from a bad back pass over the head of Ray Merry by Mark Nicholas, the Dons from the start where on fire with Matt Everard scoring two goal with his head in the first fourteen minutes, the 1st on 4 mins from a cross by Lee Sidwell on the right, and the 2nd a corner by Andy Sullivan on the Left.

With the Viking G keeper looking very shaky the rest of the half should have been a goal feast, but the Dons could not get the ball into the back of the net.

The 2nd half started just as good with less than a minute gone a Lee Sidwell cross from the right went straight in 3-0 Dons and less than ten minutes later a mistake by the keeper left him looking for a big hole to hide in, when a long low from Ali Russell from a way out rolled back to the keeper who went to put his foot on the ball, looked up to see what was on only to pick it out the net moments later.

With the wind picking up at the athletics end the ball was getting hard to control and for the next 30 minutes the Dons did not have to many chances to speak of, with Minutes remaining after a string of corners, Sully took a short corner to Neil Robson who crossed the ball over and onto the head of Mark Nicholas to make it a respectable five nil win over the bottom club and another important 3 points especially with Withdean drawing 0-0 for the second game running.

Team : Ray Merry, Keith Ward, Matt Everard, Mark Nicholas, Simon Bassey, Lee Sidwell, Gareth Graham, Gavin Bolger, Andy Sullivan, Ally Russell, Kevin Cooper.

Subs : Lee Passmore, Neil Robson, Noel Frankum

Goalscorers : Matt Everard (3,14), Lee Sidwell (46), Mark Nicholas (89)

Attendance : 2,738

Saturday 12th April 2003

Westfield were the latest to play the friendly host to the Dons with the game being switch to Woking's ground, at one end of the ground there was stand that was like the bottom half of smellhurst, but with WFC instead of palace made up of the red & white seat that's where the similarities ended this was 2/3 filled it up before the kick off with happy wombles.

The Dons kicked off towards that stand and dominated the 1st half with Ray Merry having only one shot to save, within 15 minutes the Dons made the pressure pay when from an in swinging cross from Sully fell to an unmarked Kevin Cooper, who drove the ball low into the bottom corner, to give the Dons a 1st half 1-0 lead.

The 2nd half saw the dons up the tempo and on on sixty minutes Simon Bassey crossed the ball over, Joe Sheerin jumped with a defender for the ball, Joe got his head to the ball knocking it down into the path of Andy Sullivan to volley home the 2nd.

Westfields heads dropped at this point and nine minutes later Danny Oakins ran at the Westfield defenders, then slid the ball through to Joe Sheerin who turned and slot the ball past the out coming keeper low into the far corner 3-0 Dons.

On 82 minutes Gavin Bolger crossed the ball from a corner to which Matt Everard got a fine connection to the ball with his head,but the ball was heading just wide when Danny Oakins got a touch to it to knock it onto the inside of the post and in to gave the Dons the 4th goal and seal the 3 points to put us 1pt behind AFC Waliingford who lost to Walton Casuals at home 3-0, Withdean won again 4-1 at Reading.

Another fine performance by all the Dons two men stood out with Joe Sheerin popping up all over the pitch and Gareth Graham starting his 1st match since coming back from injury and looking sharp and fit in midfield.

Team : Ray Merry, Keith Ward, Matt Everard, Danny Oakins, Lee Sidwell, Simon Bassey, Gavin Bolger, Andy Sullivan, Gareth Graham, Joe Sheerin, Kevin Cooper.

Subs : (all used) Lee Passmore, Ally Russell, Noel Frankum

Goalscorers : Kevin Cooper (15), Andy Sullivan (60), Joe Sheerin (69), Danny Oakins (82)

Attendance : 1,577

Saturday y 5th April 2003

After last weeks fantastic result, today's game was always going to have a problem topping it and so it proved.

In a fiery 1st half despite plenty of shot's on goal, the Frimley Green keeper and defence managed to keep the sheet clean and their forwards managed to have a couple of shots on goal also, Half Time 0-0.

The 2nd half started a bit brighter and with only one minute gone, Sully crossed low from the sideline on the left, the ball went passed 3 or 4 players before Lee Sidwell side footed home from close range to give the Dons a1-0 lead, then shortly after that after Frimley Greens No. 7 went in hard on Simon Bassey there was a brawl between most of the players the result of which was a yellow card for No. 7 and 9 of Frimley and Simon Bassey and Matt Everard was lucky not to have been seeing red after seeing red and swing at another Frimley player, after the challenges where going in all over the place.

With about 20 minutes gone the 2nd half Coops went in for a 50/50 ball with a defender on the edge of the box the Frimley green player stayed down and received a free kick, but before the kick could be taken one of the Frimley Green players lost his head and must have said something to the ref because he was pull aside and given a Red card.

With Frimley down to 10 men the Dons had more and more chances, but the goals would not come and late on the ball even came off the post a couple of times, final score 1-0 the Dons and another three points in the bag.

Team : Ray Merry, Keith Ward, Matt Everard, Danny Oakins, Sean Daly, Lee Sidwell, Simon Bassey, Gavin Bolger, Andy Sullivan, Joe Sheerin, Kevin Cooper.

Subs : Noel Frankum, Gareth Graham, Ally Russell (all used)

Goalscore : Lee Sidwell (46)

Attendance : 2,769

Saturday y 29 March 2003

A Superb performance by the Players, the Management and the 3,234 Fans today as AFC Wimbledon inflicted only the 2nd defeat of the season on the mighty AFC Wallingford with a 3-2 victory at Kingsmeadow.

But it wasn't looking to good after six minutes after a free kick was awarded to the Wallies on the right side at the athletics end just out side the box, Wallies Shane Small-King place the ball and bent it like Beckham leaving Ray Merry no chance into the top right corner of the goal.

The Dons could have dropped at that point but with matchsponsors P.I.S.A.(Pissed Independent Supporters Association, the unofficial drinking arm of WISA) in the main stand leading the chanting the rest of the crowd kicked in and the Dons went up a gear and on 15 minutes where awarded a corner on the right, Sullys corners of late have not been up to his standard, from the corner Sully swung the ball across and with Danny Oakins marking Studley the Wallies keeper on the line the ball bounced low pass them both and into the back of the net 1-1 and this may explain why his corners have been hitting the side of the net he's been shooting for goal.

With the Dons playing some good balls from both wings it wasn't long before they got another corner this was on the left this time, Sean Daly took it and crossed the ball it to the box, but it was cleared by one of the Wallingford defenders, straight back to Daly who put in another cross this time to the head of Joe Sheerin on the near side six yard box and the ball looped over the head of Paul Strudley and the Dons where 2-1 up with 24 minutes gone.

There was another 4 or 5 strikes on goal for the Dons the best falling to Coops which was stopped well by the keeper, the Dons defence did give us a small scare when one of them headed the ball over the outrunning Ray Merry and was heading toward goal, on the line Keith Ward proved why he's the BogsBxxxcks by clearing the ball up into the air onto the crossbar and out of danger.

With the Dons putting the Wallies players under a lot of pressure whenever they where on the ball, they didn't get another chance until the 40th minute, when they again got a free kick this time on the left side, up stepped the Small-King to repeat his earlier goal bending it again into the same corner, 2-2 just before half time not what we needed, but the Dons just got straight back at the Wallies and went in at half time having just missed another chance HT 2-2.

The second half started a bit tense and a few strong kicks where going in from both sides, on 57 minutes the Dons received a free kick by the touchline on the left which was taken by Andy Sullivan, he swung it high over to the back where Kevin Cooper was unmarked, who then brought the ball down and crossed the ball back in to the back post where Matt Everard was still waiting to head home the Dons 3rd of the day and also the 100th league goal of the season 3-2.

The Wallies had just did not know how to brake down the Dons defence and on the counter we had a few more chances, with 15 minutes left Simon Bassey and Andy Shildrick got entangled and where both booked along with the wallies no. 11, then with about five minute's to go the Dons got a freekick that the No. 11 did not agree with and throw the ball away in front of the ref who pulled him up and gave him his 2nd yellow and off he went.

With hardly any extra time the ref blow the final whistle on the best game at the meadow this season, and also the best atmosphere when the team needed it, at times this season the crowd have got on the players backs, but today they gave it their best to lift the players to their best performance this season Well Done To You All Players, Fans and Management.

Team : Ray Merry, Keith Ward, Matt Everard, Danny Oakins, Sean Daly, Lee Sidwell, Simon Bassey, Gavin Bolger, Andy Sullivan, Joe Sheerin, Kevin Cooper.

Subs : Noel Frankum (NU), Gareth Graham (>75m J.S), Ally Russell (>80m K.C)

Goalscorers : Andy Sullivan straight from a corner, Joe Sheerin from a header and Matt Everard also from a header and this was also the 100th league goal this season.

Attendance : 3,234 (more than at the England game)

Wednesday 26 March 2003

After the eight goal spectacular on Saturday, tonight's match against Merstham was always going to have a lot to live up to.

After receiving a corner after four minutes Matt Everard did what he has done so often for us since joining, as the ball was floated over to the back he came flying in and towering over everyone drove the ball towards goal, the keeper managed to defected the ball to his left straight into the waiting path of Danny Oakins and Keith Ward who both went for the ball, but it was uncle Wardy that put the ball over 1-0 Dons.

The rest of the 1st half and the 2nd half was just to frustrating to go into with lots of chances to score a bucket load of goals for both side's final score 1-0 and another three point's, but with our next game against leaders AFC Wallingford on Saturday the Dons are going to have to put some of those chances away and cement up the the holes that appeared in the defence again tonight.

Apart from three points, the only plus sides tonight was that Gareth Graham came on with 20 minutes to go and did give the midfield another dimension, also training before the game and at half time where Glyn Shimell, Joe Sheerin, Noal Frankum all of which looked to have got over their injuries and can only make the team stronger.

Team : Ray Merry, Keith Ward, Sean Daly, Danny Oakins, Matt Everard, , Gavin Bolger, Simon Bassey, Andy Sullivan, Lee Sidwell, Ally Russell and Kevin Cooper.

Subs Used : Gareth Graham (2H A.R), Not Used : Mark Nicholas, Lee Passmore

Goalscorer : Keith Ward (4)

Attendance : 2,338

Saturday 21 March 2003
North Greenford given six of the best.

On walking down the Berkeley Avenue all I could see was rugby goals, first though was how strange where's the ground, 2nd though was at least were get more goals with the chances that have gone over the bar recently, then from the left of the gate to the field came two stewards and with a welcoming hello they said the grounds just to the left at the end, going through the car park every person I passed said hello, never got that at any Pro grounds, passing the Womulance with a quick look to see if there was anything my nephew hadn't got so far, nope nothing, new badges in the ground, paid to go in and again welcomed by all at the gate, quick drink in the bar and watched Manchew score their third against Foolham on the TV, left the bar passing the marquee tent also set-up outside,, the sun was out and it and every was smiling.

I picked up the two new badges one for today's match and one for the Bedfont match Tuesday and went on a walkabout around the pitch, the near goal background was a small wooded area with a small ash pile from a campfire, the area behind the team benches was covered in sand, the other goal was up on a slope with some more trees and houses, as this was the end we where attacking pitched here for the 1st half just behind the goal.

After a poor 1st half that saw NGU take the lead after 26 mins when a shot hit the post and bounce straight back to another NG player to score with ease, NG could have been two nil up within minutes when an unmarked NG player on the Dons goal line cleared a shot over the bar.

It was Gavin Bolger who equalised for the Dons on 38 minutes, when from a free kick on the right Simon Bassey received the ball in the box turned and went through two player shot at goal, only for the ball to be cleared to the six yard box and a waiting Bolger to slot the ball low into the corner, NG looked the better in the 1st half with some good passing and, not with the slope on their side had a bit of pass in the 1st half.

2nd half moved behind other goal passing the small stand and the scaffold four step terrace that covered the half length of the pitch and had been I presume put up for this game.

The Second half was totally different from the start the Dons where at NG from the kick-off and with chance after chances in the first 15 minutes being cleared the Dons could not brake through,the Dons second goal came from an over top ball that bounced in the box Gavin Bolger, the keeper and a NG defender all went for the ball just before they clashed into each other Bolger got his ball to the it and poked it through to an unmarked Coops to tap it in 1-2 the Dons.

After that the keeper started to drop the odd ball on crosses, it was from one of these crosses after a nice bit of skill by Sidwell on the left he crossed the ball and the keeper went up for it but completely missed the ball which came down into the path of Kevin Cooper 1-3 the Dons.

The forth goal came from the right side when I believe it was Sully who went down the line and then crossed to the near side to Gavin Bolger who went pass a couple off player and fired home into the top left corner 1-4 with 85 minutes gone.

The Dons seem to go to sleep for a bit and NG had their 1st chance on goal followed on 88 minutes with a nice sweeping move that gave NGU a 2nd goal and the chance to at least equal the 4-3 at our place, but with 90 minutes gone the Dons got a freekick just outside the box, Coops on a hatrick lined up the ball, there where three men in the line but Kevin Cooper drove the ball low into the bottom left of the goal and off he went ran celebrating another well earned hatrick 2-5 the Dons.

In CCLT* the usual chant of 'we want six chant' went up from the crowd and with the ball being knock into the box to Kevin Cooper's feet there was always a chance and as he turned pass two NG defenders they both brought him down right in front of the ref who blow for a penalty.

With his hatrick already in the bag Coops passed the ball to Bolger who was on two goal to take the kick, there was a buzz in the crowd behind the goal with most of the fans behind the goal as the left side had started moving round to go home after the 5th goal, the chant increased.

Gavin moved forward and placed the ball the keeper with his stick insect legs moved to his goal line, the ref blow the whistle to take the kick Gavin made a short run up and stuck the ball, the keeper dived to his right just as the ball hit the the back of the net to his low left, yes the five barrier had broken, two hatricks and three more points, next up at home on Wednesday is Merstham and maybe we can get seven like Wallingford did against Viking Greenford today.

Team : Ray Merry, Matt Everard, Keith Ward, Sean Daly, Danny Oakins, Simon Bassey, Gavin Bolger, Lee Sidwell, Andy Sullivan, Kevin Cooper, Ali Russell

Subs none used : Dave Towse, Robbie Burns, Mark Nicholas

Goalscorers : Gavin Bolger (38,85, pen 90+) Kevin Cooper ( 6,67,90+) NGU goals (25,88)

Attendance : 943

*CCLT = extra time played after ninety minutes = 12 low by current standards but worth two goals ;-)

Tuesday 18 March 2003
Bedfont 1-2 AFC Wimbledon

I knew the ground was near Heathrow but the sight and sound and the planes taking off directly above our heads every minute took some getting used to, don't know how the good people of Bedfont can play their every other week let alone live there.

The ground was about only 200 yard from Hatton Cross, and easy to find cross the big road, follow the sign, they also seemed a friendly bunch and a fair size club house and had laid on a tent in the ground with burgers and giant Hot-dogs very welcoming.

And onto the game well the Dons made hard work against a tough Bedfont team, the game started 15 mins early for some unknown reason, and with only ten minutes gone the Dons where forced to make an wanted change with Joe Sheerin going off inquired with a pulled a hamstring!, and eight minutes later it got worse as Bedfont took advantage of some slack defending at the back to go one up.

The Dons upped the pace and within three minutes Ali Russell on for Joe got his head to a cross and headed the ball against the post only for the ball to land at the feet of Kevin Cooper and with and open goal Coops slotted the ball home with ease for his 30th league goal of the season, putting him only ten behind Dons Legend Eddie Reynolds.

The rest of the half was fifty fifty with the game going from one end to the other and both teams have some good chances, just before half time a small scrap between player happened on the half way line a sign of how the 2nd half was to go. HT 1-1.

The second half started slow and started to get a bit dirty in stages, the Dons put Bedfont under some more pressure and with 60 minute's gone the ever threatening figure of Matt Everard rose above everyone to head home his forth goal in eight games for the Dons not bad for a defender.

With about ten minutes of normal time remaining the Bedfont keeper lost his head and ran out of his box to clear the ball, which him did but for some reason rather than getting back to his goal he decide to charge down Ali Russell elbowing him in the face and bring him to the ground, we all saw what he had done and he knew what he had done was wrong and put his head in his hands expecting to be sent off, and the ref also saw what he had done as he awarded us a free kick, but he did not even give the keeper a talking too and just waved him away.

I say of normal time because as we all know CCL refs like to see us play as much injury time as possible and with the added injury problem of Andy Sullivan being hacked (he had to be helped to the changing room) down in that time the ref made he 2nd half last sixty minutes, this also gave Bedfont time to make a late surge including a good run by one of their player who after going through three or four players fired the ball against the woodwork that the ball came straight back out to the outside of the box and was eventually cleared for a corner

Full Time result two one to the Dons and another three point, but more important a better day at the office.

Team : Ray Merry, Keith Ward, Matt Everard, Sean Daly, Dave Towse, Lee Sidwell, Neil Robson, Simon Bassey, Andy Sullivan, Joe Sheerin, Kevin Cooper.

Subs used: Mark Nicholas, Ali Russell not used: Garner.

Goals: Bedfont 18 mins. Kevin Cooper (21), Matt Everard (60).

Attendance : 633

Saturday 15 March 2003
AFC Wimbledon 0 - 0 Farnham Town

The result speaks for itself a day when any chances we had did not full our way, we had loads of corners but none of them proved fruitful, two in the 1st half only made it into the side netting.

With respect to Farnham T after their 7-1 trashing two days ago they looked like a different team today, they defended in numbers and had few attacks, they came with a game plan and they stuck to it

The good news from today was that even though he did not look total fit Ali Russell did last 90 minutes and can only get stronger, also Simon Bassey came on as sub late on and looked his usual lively self (was spoken to within minutes by the ref). up front we did miss Joe Sheerin and he should be back for Tuesday match against Bedfont.

Just want to say thanks to the Millwall fan who turned up at the game today instead of smellhurst and especially to the ones chanting 'we respect you AFC' on their way out after the game, shame it wasn't a better result at both games.

Team : Ray Merry, Matt Everard (c), Dave Towse, Keith Ward, Sean Daly, Gavin Bolger, Noel Frankum, Lee Sidwell, Andy Sullivan, Kevin Cooper, Ali Russell.

Subs all used : Lee Passmore, Robbie Burns, Simon Bassey

Attendance : 2,850

Wednesday 12 March 2003
AFC Wimbledon 5 Ash Utd 3

The Dons took the lead in the seventh minute with a wonder goal from Kevin Cooper from outside the box he hit the ball with the outside of his foot and it looed like it was going out before curvering back in about 9-10 yard in to the top corner, this was followed up on eighteen minutes from a corner, from the cross uncle Wardy headed the ball down and Matt Everard came in from the back to got his foot to it and knocked it over the line.

With ex womble Andy Hunt looking dodge when ever the ball was in the box the Dons should have got another two or three goals before half time, but it was a bad headed back pass by Wardy that let Ash back into the game on 38 minutes when their no. 10 intercepted the ball and lobbed Ray Merry 2-1 HT.

Nine minutes into the second half Coops when Lee Sidwell crossed the ball in low and Coops who was unmarked in the centre of the box slotted the ball home for his 2nd and the Dons third, then on 69 minutes Lee Sidwell scored the 4th goal, before kicking off again Joe Sheerin was replaced with Lee Passmore, the Dons where still dominating the game everywhere on the pitch and Ash where starting to leave the odd foot in when tackling, with seven minutes left Coops took a free kick an slotted it home in the bottom corner for his 3rd and our 5th on the night.

At 5-1 Mr. Eames must have believed like the rest of us that it was safe to removed Matt Everard and Noel Frankum but for the 15 minute, yes I know I said there was seven minutes left but no one told the ref Ash put our defence under a lot more pressure, resulting in a 2nd goal, on 89 minutes, then on 98 minutes Ash's No. 11 ran into the box and went down without being touched and the ref awarded a penalty to the disbelief of the crowd, from which Ash scored final score 5-3 AFC Wimbledon and another 3 points well earned.

Kingsmeadow was treated to an usual expedience for the whole of the 2nd when from the Grolsch Stand was heard the sound of a solitary Ash supporter chanting A S H Ash Utd, Red & Green Army at one point he had two stewards on one side about 10 yards away and two police office about the same distance way on the other side of him I presume just in case of any trouble, but he didn't look like he was looking for any and none of the Dons fan were, so for 45 mins+ he chanted non stop and even clapped our 5th goal and some early leaving Dons fans where given the 'we can see you going home chant' by him.

The hat-trick by Kevin Cooper has put him on 29 league goal this season and level with Wimbledon Legend Alan Cork as the joint 2nd highest goal scorer in a season, he is now only eleven goals behind the all time record of 40 goals scored by Eddie Reynolds with twelve games to go, only twelve games to go how time fly's when your having fun.

Team : Ray Merry, Keith Ward, Matt Everard, Sean Daly, Danny Oakins, Lee Sidwell, Noel Frankum, Gavin Bolger, Andy Sullivan, Kevin Cooper, Joe Sheerin.

Subs all used : Dave Towse Lee Passmore, Ben Garner.

Goalscorers : Kevin Cooper (7,54,84), Matt Everard (18), Lee Sidwell (70)

Attendance : 2,409

Saturday 8 March 2003
Cobham 0 AFC Wimbledon 5

Well what can I say about today's match um three words one way ours.

Last week the Dons put on a terrific performance in Beirut I mean Feltham, this week on driving into the car park we where shepherded into our parking space by scouts, with a strong wind and a touch of rain in the air the beer tent was a warm welcome and the chandeliers a touch of Cobham class.

Onto the match with an unchanged team the dons where attacking the shed end and straight away the dons were in the box and Joe Sheerin set the shape of the game hitting the target, but the keeper blocked it out, with 6 minutes gone Sully took a corner short and on receiving it back crossed a peach of a ball across to be headed home for the 2nd week running by Mattie Everard, the 2nd goal came on twelve minutes also came from a cross from the right to be meet this time by Joe Sheerin.

The rest of the second half was all Dons, Cobham did have a shot on goal on about 40 minutes, but it was dealt with by Ray Merry, half time score two nil.

The 2nd half started just the same and with the wind in our favourer Coops took the opportunity to attempt a lob that just went over and wide, on 52 minutes Gavin Bolger got his 3rd in three matches, then from the kick off the Dons got the ball straight back and again Sidwell crossed the ball over this time low just inside the box, it looked like Coops was about to blast it in but in stead he laid it to his left to Andy Sullivan who hit it 1st time leaving the keeper no chance 0-4.

The fifth goal was also one to savour not just because it was a well taken goal, but also because it was Noal Frankums 1st in four years and boy did he enjoy the celebration going straight to the corner flag and strutted his stuff.

With minutes to go Lee Sidwell again crossed from the right this time the ball caught the wind and looped over the head of the keeper and hit the top of the crossbar, the ref blow his whistle five nil AFC Wimbledon, a good clean battle by both teams, well done to Cobham for not being like a few other teams we have played recently and rolling around the pitch at any slight touch.

Now all that was left was to get out of the car park and with the scouts gone it took nearly 45 minute to get out, could have played another half and maybe get 3 or 4 more goals as well, will have to be content with the three points.

Team : Ray Merry, Sean Daly, Matt Everard, Dave Towse, Gavin Bolger, Lee Sidwell, Andy Sullivan, Noel Frankum, Neil Robson, Joe Sheerin, Kevin Cooper.

Subs : all used Lee Passmore, Keith Ward, Danny Oakins

Goalscorers : Matt Everard (6), Joe Sheerin (12), Gavin Bolger (52), Andy Sullivan (53), Noel Frankum (75)

Attendance : 990

Saturday 1 March 2003
Feltham 1 AFC Wimbledon 2

What a strange day after driving up to the ground we where told to drive and park behind the stand only to find the car park was an athletics ground, so on parking on the 300 meters line very gently so as not to bump the car in from on the very slippery surface, we made our way to the back of the large stand, it was looking a bit worse for ware from the back, but that was nothing compared to what awaited at the front, to say there was no roof would be wrong, if you stood in the right section you may be covered by one of the girders where the roof used to be.

Then there was the pitch, it was the flattest pitch I've seen this season no bumps, no tractor wheels rut's, no grass, this was Astroturf Loftus road style.

The boys where on the pitch pre match training, coops came over to the sideline and was asked what the pitch was like and replied 'it's all right', the announcer welcomed us all and asked us to make some noise for the teams when they ran out from the hut in the distance, but joked about us not being able to raise the roof.

The game start and the dons seemed to be a bit slow getting used to the bounce, but it wasn't till about the 25 minute before either team had a shot on goal, then on 27 minutes Feltham took the lead when there striker saw Ray Merry off his line and lobbed him from outside the box.

The Dons up the pace a little and on 38 minutes from a corner, Matt Everard came running in from the back of the box to power home a header to equalise for the dons and score his 1st goal for AFC Wimbledon HT 1-1.

The only half time entertainment around was counting how many planes came into land at Heathrow a few miles away one every 45 sec's for the most of the match no noise though, they must have know the dons there in town and just tried to sneak in.

Second half started with torrential rain that went on and off throughout the match, don't know what was said at half time but the dons came out firing on all cylinders Bolger was all over the pitch, the back four where solid, Sully was making good runs in to space, and Coops out jumped the defence and got his head to the ball and on 59 minutes Gavin Bolger showed that anything Feltham could do he could do better when he crested the ball down and volleyed the ball over the Felthams keeper 1-2.

After a fairly good match the ref seemed to lose his way (and watch) a bit this was bared out by giving a goal kick when it was clear that the Feltham keeper had dived and in stopping the ball had pushed it out, the linesman over ruled him and we got a corner, he also booked Joe Sheerin to bouncing the ball to hard after a foul had gone against us, did he not know this was Astroturf balls bounce, ball do nothing but bounce twice as high.

The Feltham dugout also seemed to have got the hump with the ref and a one point one of them was ten yards on the pitch and being pulled back by the 4th official and to other team member to chants from the 1,310 crowd of sit down shut up, but after nearly 10 mins overtime in a clean match, the ref blow the whistle and the Dons had won 2-1 and got 3 more points.

To top off this strange day Cove won again , albeit against Viking Greenford and have reach double points and the mighty wallies lost their unbeaten run with a 1-0 home defeat against in form Raynes Park Vale and strangest of all Withdean played finish a match, but won 2-0 against Southall.

Well done the dons great performance next up Cobham away next week Come on your Dons, One happy afc Womble off to play CM4 demo just bought Glen Mulcaire for 1/2 million playing him upfront with Kevin Cooper of Wolves and Triggers my top scorer how cool.

More good news was Gareth Graham and Ali Russell where both out with the players before the match warming up so we hope to see them back soon.

Team : Ray Merry, Sean Daly, Matt Everard, Dave Towse, Gavin Bolger, Lee Sidwell, Andy Sullivan, Noel Frankum, Neil Robson, Joe Sheerin, Kevin Cooper.

Subs : used Andrew Petty (on 4 K.C), Lee Passmore (on 4 N.F) . not used Ben Garner

Goalscorers : Matt Everard (38), Gavin Bolger (59)

Attendance : 1,310

Wednesday 26 February 2003
Chessington United 1-3 AFC Wimbledon

Traffic problems on the M25 caused the game to be delayed by 15 minutes, Ray Merry replaced Glyn Shimell in goal, Glyn had a motorbike accident and & badly bruised his shin and could be out for a couple of weeks.

On a good solid playing surface it took only 4 minutes for Gavin Bolger to brake though the Chessington Utd's defence and slot home the 1st goal and settle the fans nerves as to which team would turn up i.e. : the cool calm passing team or the oops your not my team mate team, for the rest of the half the dons where passing the ball around, shooting from all angles and distances, and looking very confident unlike on Saturday when if they got the ball it went back to the other team.

With 28 minutes gone Danny Oakin headed in the 2nd from a corner and the match was effectively over as Chessington had not even had a shot on goal such was the dons dominance of the game 0-2 HT.

The 2nd half started slower and Chessington got their 1st shot, but it was easily stopped by Ray Merry, Matt Everard was in total control at the back and nothing was getting pass him, up front Joe, Coops & Bolger where causing the Chess Utd defence problems and should have notched up 3 or 4 more goals, the only player not doing much with the ball was Sullivan, not because he was having a bad game, but because the ball was not being played to him or for him to run on to.

With 13 minutes gone Joe Sheerin jumped above the defence to head home the 2nd and his 1st for a couple of months and the relief and delight on his face as he ran to the crowd was plan to see, lets hope its the start of sting of goals like after his 1st big gap and no more injuries or bans for the rest of the season.

The dons made two changes with 20 mins remaining Lee Passmore replaced Noal Frankum in midfield and Danny Roberts and Sean Daly at left back and suddenly Andy Sullivan seem to be getting a lot more of the ball and the crosses where coming in from both the left and right sides.

For the last ten minutes Chessington played with only ten men after their 3rd sub pulled up with an injury and had to limp off, but again the dons could not make this count and after a lapse in concentration Chessington U slipped through and knocked home a consolation goal FT 1-3 win and 3 more points next up is eight place Feltham and the plastic pitch with a soiled pitch under their feet the dons should be able to play the ball around Well Done the Boys and bring on Saturday.

Team : Merry,Robson,Daly,Oakins,Everard,Sidwell,Frankum,Bolger,Sheerin,Cooper,Sullivan.

Subs : Nicholas, Roberts, Passmore

Goalscorers : Gavin Bolger (4), Danny Oakins (18), Joe Sheerin (58)

Attendance :800-1,000

Saturday 22 February 2003
AFC Wimbledon 0 - 2 Withdean 2000

On a warm day in front of 3,203 fans AFC Wimbledon including a bunch of supporters from the German team St.Pauli, the Dons put in another poor performance against Withdean.

In a dirty match with lots of stoppage, mainly from the Withdean players going down from the slightest of touches, both teams where down to ten men by the end of the game,Sean Daly was sent off for headbutting , the ref was so incompetent he did not even send Glyn Shimell off for deliberately bring down the Withdean striker in the incident that lead to the opening goal from a penalty, but to be far this was a game when both teams could have ended up with eight aside.

In the 1st half AFC Wimbledon looked so disjointed, nearly every ball was cleared straight back to a Withdean player, every ball played up front to Joe & Coops was handled well by the Withdean back four and any ball put in the box high was caught by the tall keeper, the Dons did manage to get the ball in the net, but a free kick was given to Withdean because Kevin Cooper was adjudge to have fouled the defender when turning him in the box 0-1 HT.

The 2nd half was not much better, there where a few more chances, but none of team put the keeper under much pressure,about half way though the 2nd half after a few nudges and kicks a small fight broke out between two of the players and as is the way in football the rest of the player had to get involved the result was two yellows cards one for each side and a red card for the Withdean no nine, with a man advantage the Dons should have been able to controller the match, but they could seem to pass the ball about today.

With five minutes left Sean Daly was sent off to make it ten v ten and within minutes Withdean broke free and put the ball away to there second goal 0-2 FT, if the new DVD is anything to go on the dressing after the game will be full of word beginning with F and ending in xxxxxx.

Team :Glyn Shimell, Keith Ward, Sean Daly, Matt Everard, Danny Oakins, Gavin Bolger, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Andy Sullivan, Joe Sheerin, Kevin Cooper.

Subs: Used Noel Frankum, Neil Robson Not Used Mark Nicholas

Attendance : 3,203

Saturday 15 February 2003
Chessington & Hook 0-3 AFC Wimbledon

A 90 minute penalty sealed a 2nd half hat-trick for Kevin Cooper and gave AFC Wimbledon the 3 points against Chessington & Hook.

On a very muddy field in Chessington, AFC Wimbledon ran out in their new and well designed shinny white away kit to contested a tough match in freezing cold winds, the first half was very hard going for both sets of players, and it wasn't until 10 minutes into the second half that the Dons broke through the C&H defence and it was who else but Kevin Cooper who slotted the ball home for his 1st goal.

For the next 20 mins C&H picked up the pace a bit and put the dons under a bit of pressure, but with Glyn Shimell in goal and and new signing Matt Everard standing tall at the back the chances where all cleared with ease.

On 84 mins it was again Kevin Cooper who again showed why he is the top scorer when he again broke through the defenders and the mud and put the ball away for his 2nd goal of the match, then on 90 mins Coops was pulled down while turning the defender in the box and the ref had no other choice but to award a penalty and up stepped Kevin Cooper to take it, he took the penalty well but the keeper save it, but the ref awarded the penalty to be retaken because the keeper had moved before the kick was taken, so Coops stepped up again and this time the keeper stood no chance 3 nil AFC Wimbledon.

Team : Glyn Shimell, Matt Everard, Keith Ward, Danny Oakins, Sean Daly, Gavin Bolger, Lee Passmore, Lee Sidwell, Andy Sullivan, Kevin Cooper, Joe Sheerin (c)

Subs : Mark Nicholas (nu), Noal Frankum (nu), Neil Robson (on for Joe Sheerin)

Goals : Kevin Cooper (55,86,90 pen)

Attendance : 1,485

Saturday 8 February 2003

Five Star Performance
AFC Wimbledon 5-0 Westfield

The Dons put the last to games behind them today and show how good they should play, two goals by the man of the match Lee Sidwell the second an excellent close range volley, plus goals from Gavin Bolger and Kevin Cooper where topped off by Andrew Petty's strike for the fifth goal, it came from a corner, awarded to us by the Westfield's keeper because the ref & linesman did not see it (bet he won't get a lift home now), the ball was crossed over to the back post, where with his back to goal Petty turned on one foot and vollied it in.

There was some bad news today when after 5 mins new signing Gareth Graham went down injuried and limped off not sure of the full extent of the problem but he may well be out for a few games, there was also a suprise in defence as Danny Roberts who was let go a few weeks back, started at left back, he did play for NV in midweek some he may have got back into the team with his perfomances there or may just be back to cover for injuries either way he put a good perfomance in today.

Well done to Terry & the Boys for a solid perfomance, 3 points in the bag and five cracking goals.

Team : Glyn Shimell, Keith Ward, Danny Oakins, Danny Roberts, Mark Nicholas, Lee Sidwell, Gareth Graham, Andy Sullivan, Lee Passmore, Gavin Bolger, Kevin Cooper.

Subs Used : Noel Frankum, Neil Robson, Andrew Petty.

Goals : Lee Sidwell (15,64), Kevin Cooper (74), Gavin Bolger (76), Andrew Petty (87)

Attendance : 2,651

Wednesday 29 January 2003
AFC Wimbledon 0-3 Barkingside

How can I describe this match and incorporate the passion show by the players tonight, oh I know we where crap, we left Glyn Shimell undefended at the back, even when he had just had his shoulder kicked will making a diving save in the second half the back four just kept putting him under pressure.

The midfield what can I say did we have one ? and up front well without and servers how do you expect strikers to have a strike on goal.

Barkingside showed they where up for it and good luck to them in theirs next round match against Ford Utd.

Well next up is Raynes Park and on that performance we wont win.

Team : Glyn Shimell, Steve Lawson, Tony Readings, Keith Ward, Danny Oakins, Gavin Bolger, Neil Robson, Lee Passmore, Noel Frankum, Andy Sullivan, Kevin Cooper.

Subs : Sim Johnston, Simon Bassey, Robbie Burns, Ben Garner, Chris Theodore.

Attendance : 1,125 frozen wombles.

Saturday 25 January 2003
Hartley Wintney 2 v AFC Wimbledon 0

A very bad performance by the dons and some good tactics prepared by HW manager Big Geoff and well drilled team puts an end to dons 10 game unbeaten run.

Not sure what happened to Shimmell but Ray Merry started in goal and was doing ok until he had chase down a bad back pass and a muddy pitch and from the resulting tackle he went down injured (carried on and did finish game) but the HW player went on to score the opening goal on 31mins, that pretty much summed up AFC Wimbledon 1st half and 2nd half's tackling or lack of it,.

With 70 ish minutes gone AFC Wimbledon hit the crossbar and from the rebound HW went straight up the other end and scored their second, why do we have to give teams a two goal head start before we start to play?

Gavin Bolger and Neil Robson came on for Noal Frankum and Mark Nicholas and the dons start to put HW's keeper under some pressure, Coops was one of the few players to put the effort in today, but why when you need to score goals do you make your top scorer fetch his own balls on the wing and then have to go past the eight defenders we all know he can and likes to do it, but would it not be better for the wingers to put the crossed into the box (to his feet) so he can do what he's been doing all season and score?