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?

In the last ten minuts of the 90mins (not the extra 10 the ref played) we hit the crossbar, clear penalty on Coops not given, Wardy had his feet and the ball taken away by the HW keeper on the line and we had another two shots off the line, must say the HW keeper and a very good second half which was shown by the amount of stick he was getting from the frustrated crowd.

Big thanks to Big Geoff & Hartney Wintney 1st for the bus ride to the ground (well nearly) and back to the station, also for the warm welcome they showed us especially the bar staff very friendly and efficient, will look forward to going their again if where in the same division next season.

Team : Ray Merry, Steve Lawson, Keith Ward, Danny Oakins, Tony Reading, Mark Nicholas, Lee Passmore, Noal Frankum, Andrew Petty, Kevin Cooper, Andy Sulivan.

Subs : Neil Robson, Gavin Bolger Ben Garner.

Attendance : 1,392

Wednesday 21st January 2003
Frenford Seniors 0 AFC Wimbledon 3

Three goals in the 1st half saw AFC Wimbledon through to a Quarter Final match against Waltham Abbey in the Cherry Redbooks Trophy.

The game was delayed by 15 mins because the ref was late.

Once the game got under way with Sully going down the wings and getting the ball Petty & Russell, where proving to be quite a handful up front for the Frenford defenders, but our best shot on goal in the open 15 min's was from Shimell whose long ball up field bounced once in between the keeper and defenders then went just over the bar.

On sixteen minutes Andy Petty struck home the 1st of his two goals, Frenford replaced their goalkeeper not sure if it was with another keeper but just over 5 minutes later he dropped a ball into the path of Petty who chipped home from close range 2-0.

Lee Passmore came on for Lee Sidwell and Danny Oakins came on for Tony Reading (both off for injuries) and with his 1st touch, Danny Oakins ran round the back of the defence and headed home from close range 3-0.

The second half was basically the players and the crowd waiting for the final whistle, in between that Andy Sullivan had a close range header saved and Andrew Petty only had the keeper to beat and put the ball into the side netting, Ali Russell went off injured (Ligaments trouble) and for the last 15 minutes the Dons played with 10 men.

Not to be outdone by the ref. both linesman's were also late, with every decision they made.

Team : Glyn Shimell, Keith Ward, Stuart May Stave Lawson (capt) , Tony Reading, Lee Sidwell, Noal Frankum, Neil Robson, Ali Russell, Mark Nicholas, Andrew Petty.

Subs : Lee Passmore (on for Sidwell), Danny Oakins (on for Readings), Neil Robson (on for Frankum).

Goalscorers : Andrew Petty (19,28), Danny Oakins (33)

Attendance : 500

AFC Wimbledon 2 v Godalming & Guildford 1

Well after a short weather brake the AFC Dons got back to winning ways today with a solid performance against 4th place Godalming & Guildford, with no Joe Sheerin it was down to new center back Steve Lawson to take over as captain, but once against they did not start that well and with only 6 min's gone G&G took advantage and went one nil up, this time we did not give the usual two goal head start and with 12 min's gone Kevin Cooper took the ball pass the G&G defence to level the score 1-1, just after the goal Sean Daly lent off injured and was replaced by Noal Frankum making his debut at right back.

The AFC Dons started to boss the game with Noal Frankum making some good moves forward, on 22 mins Glyn Shimmel made a great save from a G&G free kick from outside the box, on 44 mins with the clock ticking away Super Kevin got hold of the ball on the left of the box and curled the ball into the top of the goal 2-1 wombles.

The 2nd half was pretty much all the AFC Dons going all out for the third goal, but even with the Westbank in full voice the chances just were not going in, the best chance fell to Coop's who chipped the ball over the head of the keeper, but the keeper managed to turn and get the too the ball, then dropped it again and just picked it up before it went over the line.

With about 80 minutes gone the G&G's no 14 elbowed Gavin Bolger on the bye line and the ref had no choice but to send him off, this is usually the start of a goal feast for the AFC Dons, but G&G came back into the game and had about five or six good chances to level the match & even with Andrew Petty replacing Ali Russell who had been a bit quite for most of the game we could not kill the game off.

Final Result 2-1 to AFC Wimbledon, but it should have been higher, some good performances from the two new guys playing today particularly from Noal Frankum both look like good signings and with Stuart May plus Robbie Burns still to take to the pitch it looks like Terry has put together a very strong squad for the 2nd half of the season.

Also an old Dons favorite was in the the main stand today John Scales.


Team : Glyn Shimell, Keith Ward, Sean Daly, Steve Lawson (capt) , Tony Reading, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Neil Robson, Ali Russell, Kevin Cooper, Gavin Bolger

Subs : Used Andrew Petty, Noal Frankum Not used Robbie Burns.

Goalscorers : Kevin Cooper (12,44)

Attendance : 2,797

Saturday 4th January 2003
Dons fight back to draw two all against Southall

Once more the Dons had to come back from two nil down, this time only to draw 2-2 against a very dirty Southall team.

Two second half goals on 65 & 78 minutes from Southall had given them the lead and where looking good for all three points, it wasn't until Terry brought on Ali Russell for Joe Sheerin (playing his last game for 35 days from 7/1/2003) and then Kevin Cooper on for Andy Sullivan did the Dons have any real chances on goal and in the 80th minute the Wombles where awarded a penalty for a foul and up stepped Coops to put it away 1-2, with ten minutes left.

With time running out Cooper playing down the wing crossed the ball into a crowded box and Lee Passmore poked the ball home 2-2, with the Dons now pushing for the win Andrew Petty broke free and was just about to enter the box when he was brought down from behind, resulting in a free kick and a sending off for the Southall player, Coops put the ball over the bar, in the 90+ minute the ref and linesman both missed a handball in the box from another Southall player, but as they had also missed a Dons player having his head stamped on will laying on the ground and the punch throw by the lankly Southall forward at least they where consistent.

Team : Glyn Shimmel, Sean Daly, Simon Bassey, Danny Oakins, Tony Reading, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Gavin Bolger, Joe Sheerin, Andrew Petty, Andy Sullivan

Subs : Kevin Cooper, Ali Russell, Keith Ward

Goalscorers : Kevin Cooper (78 pen), Lee Passmore (88)

Attendance : 2,834

Saturday 28th December 2002
Joe Chips to win.
The Wombles came back from two nil down to win three two in a very tight match, Chipstead took the lead on 42 mins when there striker ran on to a long through ball and with only Glyn Shimell in front of him he slotted the ball home for the Chipsteads 1st,

At the start of the second half Lee Passmore came on to replace Neil Robson and the Wombles came out with a bit more determination, but within 5 mins where caught out again with another through ball with the same result two nil Chipstead, but within five minutes the Dons had pulled one back from a corner Keith 'the DB' Ward towered above the defence to head home the ball, Petty came on to replace Coops just after that and on 75 mins the Wombles pulled level when Mark Nicholas (another defender) show the forwards how strike the ball from just inside the box 2-2.

Then with only 2 mins gone Joe Sheerin got back into the goal scoring habit (shame he only got one game left before a 35 day ban) when he chipped the keeper from close range to send the 1,777 crowd home happy.

Team : Glyn Shimmel, Mark Nicholas, Keith Ward, Danny Oakins, Tony Reading, Lee Sidwell, Neil Robson, Gavin Bolger, Joe Sheerin, Kevin Cooper, Andy Sullivan

Subs : Ali Russell , Andrew Petty, Lee Passmore

Goalscorers : Keith Ward (55), Mark Nicholas (75), Joe Sheerin ( 77)

Attendance : 1,777

Saturday 21st December 2002
Five Star Performance by the Dons
The Wombles gave the fans an early Christmas present by knocking five goals past Walton Casuals, on a cold and wet day the wombles where all over Walton from the start and on 22 mins the Wombles had a cornerkick on the left and from the cross the ball was headed in with power and precision from close range, unfortunately for the Walton Casuals No.8 he was the one heading the ball at the time 1-0 OG.

Then on 40mins Kevin Cooper won a three man tussle on the edge of the box and carried on towards goal and slid the ball home for our second, with half time approaching Bolger broke free and into the box and was just about to shot when he was brought down, penalty for the dons and a sending off for the Walton C player, Coops stepped up and put the ball into the top right corner 3-0 Wombles.

In the second half it took the wombles just 5 mins to make it four nil when Coops went from the left corner of the box past four Walton players to the right of the box, then turned then went back into the center past two more of the Walton players and the rocketed the ball past the Walton keeper.

With the rain fallings none stop and the Dons four up against 10 men,the rest of the match was one way and if it had not been for some good saves by the Walton Casuals keeper it could have been double the score by full time, an 80ish minutes Walton had a 2nd player sent off for a second bookable offense and where down to nine men and with minutes left Sean Daly hit a shot from 20yard out straight into the back of the net for his 1st ever goal for the wombles , five nil to the Wimbledon and three points in father Christmas sack for the dons "jingle bells, jingle bells jingle all the way oh what fun it is too watch the wombles win away".

Team : Glyn Shimmel, Mark Nicholas, Sean Daly, Danny Oakins, Tony Reading, Lee Sidwell, Neil Robson, Gavin Bolger, Andrew Petty, Kevin Cooper, Andy Sullivan

Subs : Keith Ward, Joe Sheerin, Lee Passmore

Goalscorers : Kevin Cooper 3 (40), (45), (50), W.C No8 OG (22), Sean Daly (89)

Attendance : 969

Wednesday 18th December 2002
Ditt(gamefinally)on 1 v AFC Wimbledon 5
Six goals,one sending off and a missed penalty that's that what the 500ish fans that turned up in Hampton to watch the very long awaited cup match between Ditton and AFC Wimbledon where witnessed to.

From the start AFC Wimbledon attacked Ditton and with less than 5mins on the clock Andrew Petty bagged his 1st goal of the night with a cool strike from the corner of the six yard box, for the rest of the 1st half the Dons seem to what to walk the ball into the back of the net, but with some ok defending from Ditton and with a good 1st half performance from the keeper who at one point even got the following bit of verbal stick "the keepers having a mere" from a certain Mr. Glyn Shimell who had just walk round behind the goal with Coops and Trigger, the 1st half finish 1-0.

The second half was a different story with Neil Robson coming on for Lee Passmore the Dons started to play the ball about more freely and with Lee Sidwell crossing no stop from the wing it wasn't to long before we got a second goal, Ali Russell powered into the box and headed the ball with some force into the back of the net leaving the keeper no chance, this was followed within minutes by Petty who was left alone at the back after the Ditton defenders had scrambled the ball out knocked home his second and our third.

Then came a goal that will defiantly be in the goal of our season poll (coming soon) when Petty broke free and from 30 yard out chips in a curling ball over and round the stranded keeper for his hattrick (well done Andrew), not happy with three Andrew "freed the pet and he will score" Petty lived up to his reputation of a goal machine with a mirror of his second goal to score his 4th goal and become the 1st in the history of the new and true AFC Dons to do so.

With the Dons pressing harder for the sixth goal a Ditton player added to there worries by getting sent off and with Joe Sherrin coming on it was looking a certain, but it was Ditton who scored next when Andy Bell dropped a clangor (sorry 4 bad pun) and Ditton made it 5-1, With minutes left on the clock Danny Oakins got free in the box but was brought down and despite Petty and the crowd behind the wanting Petty to take it Danny would let anyone else near the ball , and after some I've seem this on sky antics by the goalkeeper Danny put the ball on the spot and struck a good penalty lower and just to the left of canter shot which was parried away by the Keeper.

After that the players just played out the rest of the game and the Dons where through to the next round to meet Frenford Senior.

Team : Andy Bell, Danny Oakins, Mark Nicholas, Sean Daly, Keith Ward, Lee Sidwell, Gavin Bolger, Lee Passmore, Andy Sullivan, Andy Petty, Ali Russell

Subs : Neil Robson (HT), Danny Roberts (85), Tony Readings (NU), Joe Sheerin (60)

Goal Scorers : Andrew Petty 4 (3,57,71,83), Ali Russell 1 (55)

Attendance : too follow

Motm : Vote Here

Saturday 14th December 2002
AFC Wimbledon 2 Sandhurst 1
The wombles carried on the unbeaten run today against our open day host Sandhurst Town with the same score 2-1, Sandhust opened the scoring in the 21 min when the Dons let a Sandhurst player through to lob Glyn Shimell who was off his line.

Kevin Cooper scored from a freekick that should have been a penalty just on 33 mins, then Coops broke free in the box and shot on goal only for the defenders to clear straight into the path on Lee Passmore who score our second on the half stoke of half time.

The Second half was pretty much 50-50 the only incident was Sean Daly being sent off for a second bookable offence.

Team : Glyn Shimell, Mark Nicholas, Sean Daly, Danny Oakins Tony Reading, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Neil Robson, Joe Sherrin, Kevin Cooper, Andy Sullivan

Subs : Keith Ward, Gavin Bolger, Andrew Petty

Goalscorers : Kevin Cooper (33), Lee Passmore (44)

Attendance : 2662

Also AFC Wallingford drew today 2-2 against North Greenford Utd and Withdean 200 beat Ash Utd 4-1

Saturday 7 December 2002
AFC-Wimbledon 4-3 Chessington Utd
In front of 2,789 people (taking the total league home attendance to 31,295 and total league attendance to beyond 45 thousand) AFC Wimbledon and Chessington Utd produced a seven goal thriller and a late goal from Kevin Cooper gave the AFC-Wombles the 3 points that their performance deserved, but Chessington Utd didn't go without a fight and having taken an early two goal lead both from crosses, the Chessington players started to get a bit cocky with the crowd which seemed to give the AFC Wimbledon players the kick up the backside they seem to need and after some good work on the left by Sully resulting in a cross to Joe Sheerin who turn on the penalty spot and laid on the perfect pass to Lee Sidwell who was unmarked on the back post to slot home the ball, this was followed two minutes later on the next attack with Kevin Cooper knocking in his 1st and drawing the AFC-Wombles level at 2-2.

Just after the goal newboy Andrew Petty came on for Joe Sheerin who got a knock earlier and straight away started to get about the Chessington defence and was causing them trouble, but on the stoke of half time it was Mark Nicholas who headed in the AFC-Wombles third goal of the match to make the half time score 3-2 and our 50 league goal of the season.

The 2nd half was a bit more of a dirty match and despite plenty of attacking play by the AfC Wombles they could not get the ball in the Chessington Utd goal, then with fifteen minutes left after some messy defending by the AFC Wombles defenders Chessington equalized with a tappin.

Not giving up the AFC-Wombles players showed there true grit and came straight back up the other end and put Chessington under pressure and with ten minutes left Super Kevin Cooper did what he has been doing all season and scored the winning goal.

Team : Glyn Shimell, Danny Oakins, Mark Nicholas, Tony Readings, Lee Sidwell, Sean Daly, Neil Robson, Andy Sullivan, Kevin Cooper, Joe Sheerin, Lee Pasmore,

Subs Used : Andrew Petty, Ali Russell, Keith Ward

Goalscorers : Lee Sidwell (30), Kevin Cooper (32), (80), Mark Nicholas (45)

Attendance : 2,789

Sunday 1st December 2002
Petty shines as Dons pillage the Vikings.
Viking Greenford 0 AFC Wimbledon 4
Goals from Andy Sullivan in the 1st Half and a wonderfully chipped goal by Kevin Cooper in the 2nd half were topped off by a double debut strike by newboy Andrew Petty.

The 1st half was mostly a game of missed chances, but on 22 minutes Sully put the Dons into a deserved lead when he's head made contect with the ball from a cross and dribbled over the line.

In the 2nd half Coops came on for Joe Sheerin and the chances just kept going wide, then on 60 minutes new boy Andrew Petty came on for Ali Russell and with two minutes had put the Dons into a two goal lead with the Dons pushing forward non stop it wasn't to long before the third goal came, seconds after Keith Ward came on 75 minutes he put a ball through to Coops whho passed one player then chipped the goalkeeper.

With time running out the pressure on the Viking defence was showing and the tackles where flying, on 90 minutes Coops rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball towards the goal only to have it cleaned off the line and was going out for a corner, but Cooper chased after the ball and crossed it back in straight into the path of Andrew Petty to slot the ball home for his second and the Dons fourth.

Team : Glyn Shimell, Danny Oakins, Mark Nicholas, Tony Readings, Lee Sidwell, Sean Daly, Gavin Bolger, Andy Sullivan, Joe Sheerin, Ali Russell, Lee Pasmore.

Subs : Kevin Cooper, Keith Ward, Andrew Petty.

Goalscorers : Andy Sullivan (22), Andrew Petty (62, 90), Kevin Cooper (75)

Attendance : 895

Wednesday 27th November 2002
AFC Wimbledon 2-1 Bedfont

The Dons got back to winning ways after three straight defeats, from the start attacking the westbank the Dons put the Bedfont defence under pressure but it was not till the 37 minute after a string of corners that Keith Ward got his head to the ball and drill the it into the back of the net.

Within minutes it was a bad back pass by goal scorer Wardy that let the Bedfont stiker on his own with only Ray Merry to beat, but Ray managed to get his hands to it to parry it out for a corner, but from the resulting corner Bedfont scrambled home a goal on the 40th minute.

In the second half the Dons looked even more up for it and on the 47 minute Super Kevin Cooper got through on his own and shot 1st time, yes 1st time and scored to put the Dons 2- 1 up and with Joe Sheerin looking sharper than ever the Wombles where crusing, but once again a ref change the flow of the game when Danny Oakins was sent off for being tackled by Bedfonts no.11.

After that the tackles where coming think and fast and Bedfont where lucky not to lose three or four players, they did lose their no.4 with about 10 mins to go after taking out Sully.

After 5 minutes of injury time the ref finally blow and the Dons were through to the next round of the London Senior Cup where they will meet either Barkingside or Haringey Boro.

Team : Ray Merry, Mark Nicholas, Keith Ward, Danny Oakins, Tony Reading, Lee Sidwell, Neil Robson, Gavin Bolger, Joe Sheerin (c), Kevin Coooper, Andy Sullivan.

Subs : Used Glyn Shimmel, Danny Roberts, Lee Passmore. Not Used Ali Russell.

Goal Scorers : Keith Ward (37), Kevin Cooper (46)

Attendance : 1,072

Saturday 23rd November 2002
AFC Wallingford 3-0 AFC Wimbledon

I have been to most of the Dons home and away matches this season and have only witnessed ugly moods twice, once today and previously at Godalming & Guildford. In both cases, the atmosphere changed dramatically when referees who are more used to performing in front of a crowd of 30-40 suddenly find that they are out of their depth. Today Joe Sheerin, who was looking sharp and had come close a couple of times, was booked for a fairly innocuous looking challenge on 37 minutes. He was shown a yellow card but then must have spoken out of turn and was then shown a red card and the atmosphere deteriorated after that.

We were already one down when Shimell, normally so reliable, failed to collect a crossed ball in the tenth minute and Wallingford nipped in to score. We lost a second just before half time to a neat scissors kick and the match was essentially lost. Wallingford got a third shortly after half time when our defence went awol. Although the Dons really played their hearts out, the truth is that we lost to the better team. Wallingford have some excellent players in Shane Small-King and Bradley Ward and Terry could do a lot worse that try to persuade them to move to Kingsmeadow.

The problem we have is that we are too big for the CCL – certainly when it comes to away matches at grounds which are really no more than the equivalent of public park pitches. I fear that because of a few people’s behavior today, we will have to look at reducing the numbers who are allowed to travel to away matches in future.
Football Match report reproduced with permission of EGWomble to see his full report of the troubles at half time and during the game go to the Big Tissue messageboard, and have your say.

Final words from me on yesterday new signing Sean Daly look solid at left back he had to go off with what looked like cramp, for the time Joe was on the pitch he did look a bit shy of match fitness but hopefully will be up for it on wednesday, also a BIG well done to the AFCW's stewards for there efforts, the Dons Trust for the Train Trip from Chosley (some pic's on gallery) and also thanks to AFC Wallingford's staff for there hospitalities shame no three points but there is still a long way to go before the end of the season and the other AFCW team still have to play each of the top five teams at least twice so they will hopefully drop points at sometine.

Team : Glyn Shimell, Danny Oakins, Mark Nicholas, Tony Reading, Sean Daly, Keith Ward, Gavin Bolger, Neil Robson, Lee Sidwell, Kevin Cooper, Joe Sheerin (Sent Off).

Subs : Lee Passmore, Ali Russell, Luke Milner.

Attendance : 2,350

Match MOTM : Wallies Goalkeeper Paul Studley may be one of the smallest goalie's I've seen, but very capable in the air and without him the result and day may have been so different.

Wednesday 20 November 2002
AFC Wimbledon 0 Feltham 1

1st the goods news Joe Sheerin and Gavin Bolger both came on as subs in the 2nd half and both put in some hard takles and looked sharpe, Andy Sullivan also had to start on the bench after his car broke down and he arrived at about eight, also Luke Milner started in place of Sully and did himself justist another good find from Terry Eames.

Now the bad news we lost 0-1 at home but from the start it looked like being one of those game where whatever we tried would not come off, we even had a pinball moment ending in the ball bouncing off someones backside and out for a corner, the Feltham players where stong in midfield and we did not get anything there, but this is football and we can't expect to walk over every team we play.

Let's just look forward to the next match where we can expect a sell out away to the league leaders AFC Wallingford, Terry and the players will be up for it and the crowd will most definetly be up for it, so let's get behind the Dons and show them our full support.

Team : Glyn Shimmel, Mark Nicholas, Keith Ward, Danny Oakins, Tony Readings, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Neil Robson, Ali Russell, Kevin Cooper, Luke Milner

Subs Used : Joe Sheerin, Gavin Bolger, Andy Sullivan

Attendance : 2,578

Saturday 16th November 2002
AFC Wimbledon Dumped Out of the Cup.
AFC Wimbledon 1-5 Southall
In what was the worst performance this season the wombles where knock out of the Premier Challenge Cup by Southall.

With two unchallenged headers Southall went it in at half time 2 up, with Lee Sidwell & Chris Theodore coming on for Mehmet Mehmet & Andy Sullivan in the 2nd half the Dons did have a few chances but Akin Gallimore looked total out of his depth in the defence and on 48 mins Southall scored from outside the box to make it 0-3.

Chris Theodore score his 1st Dons goal a couple of minutes latter, to give the 1,976 who turned up a little bit of hope, but when the Lee Passmore missed a penalty with fifteen minutes left the players & supporters seem to give up, which resulted in Southall getting two more late goals to make the final score 1-5.

There where some young players in the team today which is good for the future but lets hope that the on Wednesday against Feltham the team is more like the team's we have been watching for the last thirteen games.

Also with three players starting their suspensions from tomorrow, Simon Bassey (35 days) Danny Roberts & Neil Robson Both 7 Days although Neil will be doing his coaching role from the bench, life at the top could become tought.

The good news from Saturday was that Ash lost (again) & AFC Wallingford & Withdean 2000 will have to play more games after going through to the next round in the Premier Division Challenge Cup, so getting knock out of the league cup does have some plus features.

Team : A.Bell, K.Ward, M.Nicholas, S.Johnstone, S.Bassey, A.Gallimore, M.Mehmet, L.Passmore, D.Roberts, A.Sullivan, A.Russell.

Subs Used : C.Theodore, L.Sidwell, D.Oakins

Goalsorers : C.Theodore (48)

Attendance : 1,976

Saturday 9th November 2002
And the Dons keep Rolling on.
Merstham 0 AFC Wimbledon 2
AFC Wimbledon seal three more point to move to within three points of AFC Wallingfod, with a 15mins delay in the kick off the Dons produced a good 1st half display in front of 1587 which resulted in goals for Kevin Cooper and Andy Sullivan, the only thing to talk about in the 2nd half was how may cheese rolls where left in the tent.

THe next two league games are home against 5th placed Feltham then the big one away against the Wallie on the 23rd these should be the hardest test on our unbeaten run of thirteen games.

Also today Chipstead knock seven past Walton Casuals and Viking Greenford recorded there 1st victory of the season with a -0 win away to Cove to swap places at the bottom.

Team : Glyn Shimell, Keith Ward, Sim Johnston, Mark Nicholas, Simon Bassey, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Neil Robson, Ali Russell, Kevin Cooper Andy Sullivan.

Subs : Chris Theodore, Mehmet Mehmet, Danny Roberts

Goalscorers : Kevin Cooper (25), Andy Sullivan (44)

Attendance : 1587

Tuesday 5th November 2002
AFC Wimbledon move into 2nd place after cruising past Cove.

Ali Russell open the scoring then made the 1st of two goals for Kevin Cooper (2nd from penalty) plus a header from returning Keith Ward sealed three points from tonight's match and with Ash & Withdean not playing the Dons moved up to 2nd place.

This was also our 1st double over a team in the CCL. Let's hope it's the 1st of many.

Team : Glyn Shimmel, Danny Oakins, Keith Ward, Tony Reading (c), Mark Nicholas, Simon Bassey, Lee Sidwell, Andy Sullivan, Ali Russell, Kevin Cooper, Neil Robson

Subs Used : Sean Marshall, Memhet Memhet, Chris Theodore

Goalscorers : Ali Russell (15), Kevin Cooper (30), (58pen), Keith Ward (50)

Attendance : 1,174

Also Rotherham Won 1-3 at Smellhurst Poxs in front of 664

Sat 2 Nov 02
AFC Wimbledon 2-1 Chessington & Hook
Rains from heaven can't stop AFC Wombles win run extend to eleven.

On a very wet day goals from Neil Robson and Kevin Cooper sealed the points in a very tight game.

All the goals came in the second half with Neil Robson scoring a freekick in the 50th minutes from just outside the box's, but Chessinton & Hook equalized within minutes with a header from a corner.

It was Kevin Cooper who made one of his little jinky runs count when he rounded the 1st a defender twice on the byline them rounded the goalkeeper to slot the ball pass the hopefully sliding leg on the goalline of the Chessington defender.

There where a few more chances for both teams and it was good to Glyn Shimell back in the goal after his time off with injury.

Team Glyn Shimell, Mark Nicholas, Simon Bassey, Danny Oakins, Tony Reading, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Neil Robson, Ali Russell, Kevin Cooper, Andy Sullivan

Subs Used Keith Ward, Sean Marshall Not Used Mehmet Mehmet

Goalscores : Neil Robson 50, Kevin Cooper 58

Attendance : 3,350

Wednesday 30th October 2002
AFC Wombles vs Woodford

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

Wednesday 30 October 2002
London Senior Cup 1st Round

AFC WIMBLEDON 4 - 0 WOODFORD TOWN
Bolger (27), Cooper (62, 70,) Oakins (90).
Attendance: 1,403

Ray MERRY, Mark NICHOLAS, Simon BASSEY, Danny OAKINS, Tony READINGS, Lee SIDWELL, Lee PASSMORE, Gavin BOLGER, Ali RUSSELL, Kevin COOPER, Andy SULLIVAN

Keith WARD, Neil ROBSON, Chris THEODORE, Danny ROBERTS, Sim JOHNSTON

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

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.

The final score was 4-0 to the Wombles extending the run to nine straight wins.

Coming on as sub and making his debu tfor the Wombles was Chris Theodore.

With Dons in this form bring on Woodford in the cup on wednesday.

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

Subs : Neil Robson Chris Theodore Not Used Danny Roberts

Goalscores : Ali Russell (5),(17),(50) Kevin Cooper (55)

Attendance : 3,377

Saturday 19 October 2002
Farnham 0 v AFC Wimbledon 1

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

Goalscore : Danny Oakins 87 mins

Attendance: 1,105

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.

Premier Division
Ash United 3-5 North Greenford Utd 54
Cove 0-5 Raynes Park Vale 46
Farnham Town 0-1 AFC Wimbledon 1100
Godalming & G 3-1 Chipstead 66
Southall 2-2 Westfield 26
Viking Greenford 0-3 Reading Town 18

Saturday 12 October 2002
Premier Division Challenge Cup 1st Round

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

The Dons took the lead on 45mins 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 equilised, 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 unitl Danny Roberts made a last minute tackle to put it out for a corner.

The wombles pushed forward in the 2nd half of extra time but with no reward.

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 blastted 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.

We now face either Reading Town or Southall in the next round.

Also good perfomances 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).

Attendance : 1325

Saturday 5 October 2002
Godalming & Guildford 1 v AFC Wimbledon 3

Coops we did it again.

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.

The final whistle blow and we havd another 3 point in the bag.

Attendance : 1,295

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.

Subs : Sean Marshall, Ali Russell, Simon Bassey

Goals : Kevin Cooper 2, 58, Danny Oakins 39

MOTM : vote here

AFC Wimbledon 5 v Bedfont 1

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.

Subs : Andy Sullivan, Glen (Trigger) Mulcaire, Ali Russell.

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

Attendance : 2,473

MOTM vs Bedfont (CCL Home) [40 votes total] Joe Sheerin with 40%

Saturday 28st September 2002
Frimley Green v AFC Wimbledon 0-5

AFC Wombles control the game from the start and after 20 min's the moment all wombles and our captain had been waiting for Joe Sheerin scored his first league goal, followed 5 min's later by Neil Robsonr to make it 2-0, with half time approching Danny Oakins popped in the third.

Second half started with Frimley Green trying to get back in, but they never looked like doing so.

With 50 min's gone Danny Oakin scored his 2nd of the match and 10 min's later Joe Sheerin topped of the scoring to make the final result 5-0 to AFC Wimbledon.

Team : Glyn Shimmel, Keith Ward, Danny Roberts, Danny Oakins, Tony Reading, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Neil Robson, Joe Sheerin (capt), Kevin Cooper, Sean Marshall.

Subs : Ali Russell, Simon Bassey, Dave Towse.

Goalscorers : Joe Sherrin 20,60, Neil Robson 25, Danny Oakins 44, 50

Official MOM : -- AFC Wombles MOTM --

Attendance : 1,098

click here to vote fot your MOTM

Saturday 21st September 2002
Rollercoaster Wombles do it again.

AFC Wimbledon 4 v North Greenford Utd 3

Once again the Wombles got off to bad a start in the 1st minute some bad defending left N.G.U's no.9 in the open to slot the ball into the back of the net 0-1.

With 15 min's gone the Wombles pressure created a corner, which was crossed over onto the head of Sim Johnston to equilise for the Wombles, but the Wombles made life tough for themself by conceding a second goal to make the half time score 1-2.

Within 10 min's of the start of the 2nd half the Wombles where 1-3 down and it look like it would be doom & gloom at Kingsmeadow, but with 30min's left and a crowd of 3,158 behind them, up stepped Keith Ward with an overhead kick on the 6yd box to bring the score back to 2-3 and with a N.G.U. player being sent of for an off the ball tackle it was a totally differant game.

The Wombles stepped up a gear, Terry Eames replaced Kevin Cooper with Ali Russell and with Andy Sullivan running the wing it was not too long before the Don's scored again when the keeper punched the ball onto the post only for it to fall to Danny Oakins to slide it into the back of the net. 3-3.

With 84 min's gone a long clearance left Ali Russell and the goalkeeper going for the same bouncing ball on the edge of the box which Ali got his head to nocking it pass and then putting the ball into the goal to make the score 4-3 Wombles and sending the crowd metal with delight.

Final score 4-3 Wombles

Team : Glyn Shimmel, Keith Ward, Dave Towse, Danny Oakins, Sim Johnstone, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Neil Robson, Joe Sheerin (Capt), Kevin Cooper, Andy Sullivan.

Subs : Ali Russell, Sean Marshall, Tony Reading.

Goalscorers : Sim Johnston (15), Keith Ward (55), Danny Oakins (64), Ali Russell (86).

Official MOM : Keith Ward AFC Wombles MOTM with 50% Andy Sullivan

Wombles won 5-4 on penalties

Cup football returned to Wimbledon this evening and AFC Wimbledon proved they where the true Wombles by turning what should have been an easy game into a nail biting uphill struggle.

Brimsdown Rovers took the lead after Danny Oakins went to clear a cross only to loop the backwards onto the head of a Brimsdown striker who knocked it pass Glyn Shimmel who was coming out to get the ball.

Second half the womble where facing the westbank and looked more like a team, but it was Brimsdown who scored again when the referee waved play on from a foul on on the halfway line and a Brimsdown player went straight through every womble player in front of him and rocket the ball into the top right corner.

From the kick-off Wimbledon went straight up the other end and won a corner, which Sully took and placed it onto the head of Alistair Russel who scored his 1st goal in only his second game.

With time running down Danny Roberts went in for 50-50 ball, but was judged to have fouled the player and received his second yellow and the Dons where down to 10 men and still needing to score a goal to stay in the cup.

In true Womble fashion on the 90 min's up popped captain for the night Keith Ward to score with a head to take the game into extra time.

Extra Time

From the start the extra man started to show and Brimsdown broke free and took a 3-2 lead, again with time running out in the last minutes of the second half of extra time a ten men AFC Wimbledon again looking for a goal to stay in the cup, the ball was crossed into the box from Akin Gallimore, which the Brimsdown goalkeeper dropped into the path of three Wombles all of which had a shot on goal before the ball bounced clear to of all people Danny Oakins who made up for the mistake of the 1st goal by putting the ball into the back of the net to send the crowd into a frenzy.

That was not the end of the drama in the last attack of extra time Ali Russell broke free with only the goalkeeper to beat and hit the ball wide of the post.

Penalties

Brimsdown took the 1st penalty which Glyn saved. The rest of the penalties where all scored Passmore, Cooper, Gallimore, Oakins & Russell. With the last and winning penalty being taken and scored by Ali Russell.

Team Glyn Shimmel, Keith Ward (c), Danny Roberts, Danny Oakins, Tony Reading, Andy Sullivan, Simon Bassey, Lee Sidwell, Ali Russell, Kevin Cooper, Sean Marshall.

Subs: Akin Gallimore, Dave Towse, Sim Johnston, Lee Passmore, Daniel Couch.

Goalscores : Russell (75),Ward (90), Oakins (118 ET)

Pens : Passmore, Cooper, Gallimore, Oakins & Russell.

Attendance : 1,518

Date: 14/9/2002

AFC Wombles 2 Reading Town 0

The wombles got back to winning ways today, in front of 2,836 front the start the wombles took the game to Reading and after quite a few chances mainly by Coops and Joe Sheerin the Womble took the lead on the 23 min after Joe Sheerin surged pass the Reading defence on the right and put in a low cross which Andy Sullivan side footed into the back of the net.

For most of the second half both teams had there far share of goal chances, but neither side could make them count.

With 15 mins left Terry made two changes off went Kevin Cooper & Andy Sullivan and on came new boys Sean Marshall & Alistair Russell and with that the wombles stepped up the pace and with Lee Sidwell going down the left in was only going to be a matter of time before the wombles scored, it came from a cross from Lee Sidwell, Joe Sheerin could not put the ball in and from the rebound the ball fell to Sean Marshall who drove in low and hard through the leg's of a Reading defender and into the opposite corner.

Final result 2-0 bring on Brimsdown Rovers.

Full team

Glen Shimmel; Keith Ward, Danny Oakins, Sim Johnston, Dave Towse, Lee Sidwell, Neil Robson, Lee Passmore, Andy Sullivan; Kevin Cooper, Joe Sherrin.

Subs used : Sean Marshall, Alistair Russell, Simon Bassey.

Goalscores : Andy Sullivan 23, Sean Marshall 90.

Man of the Match : Joe Sheerin.

Withdean 2002 2-0 AFC Wimbledon

By Michael Joyce Big Tissue
Date: 7/9/2002

A defeat and a bad one, the worst so far. At the end we were cursing the inequities of a juvenile ref, but in truth we were well beaten today. The Dons missed Kevin Cooper badly though in his absence their No 10 Sam Francis gave an electrifying performance.

Eames used a 4-5-1 system, with Bassey brought into the midfield in an attempt to try and stifle the highflying W2000, but it didn't work mainly because of the form of Francis and his strike partner Shepherd.

After a delayed kick off (10 minutes after a supporters' coach broke down) Withdean dominated the first half. With Francis seemingly capable of breezing past the nearest two defenders whenever he got the ball a lot of our defending was distinctly last ditch.

They had about 6 or 7 goal attempts in the first half while our only moment was a tame Sheerin shot straight at their keeper. The main entertainment for Dons fans was attempting to sneak alcohol into the stands past the beady eyed surveillance of the local official with the extraordinarily conspicuous pitch black hair weave.

Nil nil at half time and the Dons fans felt fortunate to be going in level but confident that the second half would be a great improvement. And, despite Shimmel having to dive full length early on to save from a free kick, things looked a bit better after the restart.

The Dons had begun to exert a bit of pressure; Robson had a left foot shot from outside the box skim the top of the bar; the fans were making a big noise behind the goal and the Dons were enjoying their best period of the game when Withdean scored.

A fairly aimless hoof forward caught our defence square and Francis raced clear before oh so confidently sliding the ball round Shimmel into the far corner. His fifth goal in four games.

Referees, like policemen and chart toppers, are getting younger but today's specimen, a Master Steven Cook, was a real Harry Potter job. He looked liked he moved straight from the teat and on to the whistle. No doubt the precocious little twerp will be refing in the Football League before he has to shave, but today he was all over the place.

Borderline decisions had been heads or tails propositions all afternoon (normally with the home side calling correct) but his decision to give a penalty for what was clearly - even from 100 yards away - a fair tackle was an indignity too far. (Credit though to their right back, Pook, for the fantastic run that lead to the tackle.)

Justice was done when Schemmel saved the spot kick but the atmosphere on and off the pitch got increasingly factitious from then on. The mood wasn't helped by the, now traditional, dispute over what exactly the franchise score was.

No sooner had a chant of "Franchise are losing" gone out than the chorus of WAP and Walkman naysayers piped up that it was in fact the Fran that had taken an 81st minute 3-2 lead.

Then, just as the revised news had dampened down the far corners of the support, the first "No, I was right the first time," voices were heard, confident that it was 3-2 Leicester all along. For the next five minutes every other head seemed to staring intently into a mobile screen or straining to catch an earpiece announcement. Positions were taken and staunchly defended, arms were folded in the certainty that Alex Tapp had scored for Franchise and everyone else was wrong.

By the time the bickering had died down and every phone had got its correction the Selhurst Park encounter was over, time was running out for AFC, everybody was wishing everyone else had shut up about the Fran score and Malcolm in the Middle was pointing to the spot after awarding another penalty.

He was on safer ground this time. Shepherd had picked up the ball on the half way wide out on the left and set off on an epic run that took him past two defenders before being brought down in the box by, guesstimate, Ward. Defender Glen Davies made it 2-0.

Before the restart an almighty brawl took place in the centre circle. Didn't see it start but Ward looked to be prominent and two players were booked. The two teams squabbled and kicked their way to full time.

Even the news that England were leading 1-0 was spoilt by the word that the runt Bowyer had scored. An appropriate end to a sour afternoon of misinformation and bitterness.

Southall 0 v AFC Wimbledon 0

Tuesday 3rd September 2002

Match Report

Firstly thanks to Southall for making us welcome off the pitch, with loads of curry throughout the match. The Game itself well that was like the pitch very rough, from the start the ref. made bad decision after bad decision there were hardly any chances for either teams, the attmosphire was again great with over 950 of the 1046 crowd womble fans.

Towards the end of the match the game started to get very dirty with elbow and some fist's flying all over the pitch.

Both of Sheerin and Coop's had to be substituted. Whilst top scorer Kevin Cooper's slight hamstring strain should not keep him out of that match, there is more concern over club captain Joe Sheerin.

He had to have an x-ray on his toe and so he could be doubtful for Saturday. He had a bad injury a few years back which meant he had to ahve a pin in his toe which someone trod on today.

Pictures

Final Score 0-0

Team Glyn SHIMMEL, 2 Keith WARD, 3 Dave TOWSE, 4 Danny OAKEN, 5 Sim JOHNSTON, 6 Lee SIDWELL, 7 Lee PASSMORE Booked, 8 Neil ROBSON, 9 Joe SHEERIN 85 Booked, 10 Kevin COOPER 80, 11 Andy SULLIVAN,

Subs used12 Glen MULCAIRE 80 Booked , 14 Dave FRY 85

Subs not used 15 Tony READINGS

Attendance : 1,046

Goal Scorers none MOM Glyn Shimmel

Goal Scorers Kevin Cooper 35, Neil Robson 55. Sim Johnston 65min's MOM Sim Johnston

From the kick off AFC Wombles dominated the match and within 5 mins it looked like the we had scored when Kevin Cooper crossed for Joe Sheerin to not it in from 5yds out, but somehow the keeper managed to stop it crossing the line.

On the 15min's mark AFC Wimbledon received a corner, this was taken so fast that a Hartley Wintey player caught the ball and throw it out for the corner, the referee blow for a penalty, Kevin Cooper took a weak penalty to the keepers left but was saved.

After 36mins Cooper turned a defender on the edge of the box and slotted the ball in for the 1st goal. 1-0 at half time but it should have been more.

The 2nd half was again mostly one way with the Dons missing chance after chance, the few chances H.Wintney had were either well shepherded by Sim Johnston or taken well in the air by our new keeper Glyn Shimmel, then after 52min's Neil Robson score our second goal.

On the 66min's Sim Johnston controlled the ball on the half way line and surged forward to within 35yrds out and stuck a ball towards goal with great power and swerve that a certain Mr.Beckham would have been proud of it flew unstoppably into the top right corner of the goal, for what will almost be AFC Wombles (if not the CCL ) goal of the season.

In the last 10-15min's the Dons tired and Hatley Wintey had some chances one of which was a free kick on the right which was crossed over, and put in with a header.

Final Score 3-1 Wombles Win no. 3

Team Glyn Shimmel, Keith Ward, Danny Roberts, Danny Oakins, Sim Johnston, Lee Sidwell, Lee Passmore, Neil Robson, Joe Sheerin, Kevin Cooper, Andy Sullivan

Subs used Memhet Memhet, Dave Fry, Glen Mulcaire (aka Trigger)

Goal Scorers Kevin Cooper 35, Neil Robson 55. Sim Johnston 65min's MOM Sim Johnston

Attendance : AFC Wimbledon 3,476

Ash scored from the penalty, then with 10-11 the game swung the other way and Ash equalized and in the 89th minute scored again to make it 3-2.

With 6 min's extra time the game got messy and an Ash player was sent off for holding Danny Robert by the neck.

Goal Scorers Kevin Cooper (2) 55, 65 pen. MOM Kevin Cooper

Team Andy Bell, Danny Oaken, Keith Ward, Danny Roberts, Sim Johnston, Lee Passmore, Andy Sullivan,Neil Robson, Lee Sidwell, , Kevin Cooper, Joe Sheerin. Subs not used , Memhet Memhet, Dave Fry, Glen Mulcaire (aka Trigger)

The wombles didn't start to well & with Cove rising to the occation put the wombles under pressure for most of the 1st half, and with 36min's gone Cove score an easy goal with a unchallanged header.

The 2nd half was completely different with the wombles attacking the westbank, then in mad 5min's, the Cove started to make mistakes and with 47min's gone Wombles drawing level, only for Cove to go straight up the other end and go back into the lead, but that was not the end 2min's later the Cove goalkeeper dropped the ball from a cross and after a couple of shot by the wombles the drew level again.

With time running out it was the wombles looking the most likely to score and so did with 3min's left. to send the womble end mental again.

Well done the lad's bring on Ash Utd.

Goal Scorers Passmore, Robson and Sidwell MOM Neil Robson

Team Andy Bell, Danny Oaken, Keith Ward, Danny Roberts, Sim Johnston, Simon Bassey, Andy Sullivan,Neil Robson, Lee Sidwell, , Kevin Cooper, Joe Sheerin. Subs used Lee Passmore, Dave Fry, Glen Mulcaire (aka Trigger)

pictures

Past & present hero's joined in the party as the wombles played some good football (yes football, not hoofball), the 1st 15 mins was very even with both teams having chances, but it was Chipsteads who took the lead with what looked like an offside goal.

The wombles did not lose heart and with 4,200 fans behind them they pilled on the pressure and with 1/2 an hour gone Kevin Cooper scored his 2nd of the season, with a great shot from the edge of the box to pull the wombles level and send the crowd mental, the wombles pressed Chipstead back in their box for the remainder of the half.

With the 2nd half starting as the 1st ended it like the wombles would soon score against, but chance after chance was either missed or well saved by the Chipstead goalkeeper.

With 10mins to go and the game looking like finishing as a draw, the linesman missed an offside and Chipstead received a free kick on the left for a nothing tackle, as the ball was crossed over the defence went to sleep and and left a Chipstead player unmarked at the back, to head the winning goal, but that's football and where proud to have it back.

Well done to all the player's, staff, officials and fans on a great night, despite the result.

AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Chipstead Attendance 4,215 (sold out)

Team

Andy Bell, Danny Oaken, Keith Ward, Danny Roberts, Sim Johnston, Simon Bassey, Andy Sullivan, Lee Passmore, Lee Sidwell, , Kevin Cooper, Joe Sheerin. Subs used Neil Robson, Dave Fry, Glen Mulcaire (aka Trigger).

MOM Kevin Cooper

AFC Wimbledon win 1st every League game 2-1 against Sandhurst Town.

17th August 2002 a day that will go down in history as the day AFC-Wimbledon played their first competitive match.

On a very hot day in front of ten times the crowd that Sandhurst usually received the dons ran out to great applauds, the wombles put Sandhurst under pressure from the start, with only 20 min's gone Kevin Cooper scored the 1st every league goal for AFC Wimbledon followed 2 min's later by a fine header from Keith Ward for the 2nd.

Sandhurst scored a goal after 35 mins,to make the score 2-1, the second half was a bit more even, but the wombles had more chance's but where unable to put the ball away, Tony Reading was involve in a clash of heads leaving him with nine stitches, after that it was nail-bitting stuff until the referee final remembered that he had to blow his whistle to finish the game, at which point 95% of the 2,449 crowd went mental.

Team List Andy Bell, Danny Oaken, Danny Roberts, Tony Reading, Simon Johnstone, Keith Ward, Kevin Cooper, Andy Sullivan, Lee Passmore, Glen Mulcaire, Lee Sidwell.

Subs Used David Fry, Simon Bassey

Subs Not Used Carlo Casronove

Goal Scorers Kevin Cooper (20), Keith Ward (22).

GO-SW19's Man of the Match Kevin Cooper.

Match Report & Pictures.

AFC Wimbledon won their 1st every match today in front of 561 spectators, with a 3-2 victory over Enfield Town in the Supporters Direct Trust Cup.

Joe Sheerin set the Wombles on their way after 5 minutes with a well take close range shot from a cross by Andy Sullivan, Sully also supplied the cross for Kevin Cooper who brought the ball down and volleyed the it into the goal from around the inside of the penalty box, to make it 2-0 at half time.

AFC Wombles made a few changes at half time Lee Sidwell replacing Joe Sheerin. After 10 minutes Enfield pull a goal back, but within 5 minutes Lee Sidwell chased a good through ball to score his 1st goal and increase the Wombles 3-1 up.

With 10 minutes to go Enfield town scored to make the score to 3-2 and made for a nail-bitting finish.

The Wombles held on to record their 1st every Victory and received the Supporters Direct Trust Cup.

Hopefully the 1st of many win's and Trophies.

Wet and Windy evening at the far reaches of London, Wombles put a young side out and it showed 2-0 after 25mins and Wealdstones looked like scoring on every attack, lucky for us our keeper kept the score at 2-0 with some fine saves.

Second half Wealdstone made eight or nine changes and the Dons finally put them under pressure, but where unable to penatrate the Stones defence.

Final Score 2-0 Attendance lowest so far 250-300 max.

On a wet warm day in Leatherhead AFC Wombles can real close to winning their first game, after controlling most of the 1st half the wombles received a penalty minutes before the end of the 45min's.

The penalty was hit straight at the keeper, who parried it back only to be kicked out for a corner.

In the second half the Wombles again looked in controller, but could not find the net, Dave Fry had the best chance after taking a through ball and shaking off two defender then passing the keeper only to hit the side netting from a tight angle.

The match looked like it was going through the motion's with 15min's left Leatherhead got a goal out of nothing and with their concentration slipping the wombles conceded a second easy goal.

The final whistle went and the wombles went off to warm applauds from the crowd and praise from the Leatherhead Chairman Tim Edwards.

Well only two more friendlies against higher division opponents left then the season start's for real, if the wombles play like the have in the last three games ie: as a team with spirt and a touch of skill then we will win games.

Team: 1. Aiden Martin (13. Andy Bell 45mins); 2. Akin Gallimore (20. Carlo Castonovo 18mins), 3. Danny Roberts, 4. Tony Readings, 5. Simon Johnston; 6. David Fry, 7. Craig Carley, 8. Keith Ward, 9. Kevin Cooper (12. Andy Ferguson 65mins), 10. Joe Sheerin (Daniel Jones 29mins), 11. Andy Sullivan

Posted by: Tim Edwards (8/3/2002 11:59:19 PM) on the Leatherhead Website.

"There were just under 1200 paying customers. Many thanks to everyone for a great afternoon, as I said on the tannoy after the game the Wombles fans were a credit to their Club and we raised £1000 for the Childhood Cancer Parents Association as well as giving Leatherhead and AFC Wimbledon a nice financial boost.".

Goal Scored by . Dave Fry

Our 1st visit to our new home, very nice stadium and what looks like a good pitch, once again the wombles had a kick off delayed.

The 1st half was dominated by the K's missing a host of close range shot, but the opening goal finally came just after the half-hour mark,. Greg Ball played a ball inside Keith Ward for Wingfield to run onto.

The Second half was total different the Wombles came out with all cylinders firing and total controlled the midfield.

Andy Bell’s did net for the K's second goal but the wombles kept up the pressure.

The Don goal came when Daniel Jones ran at, and beat, Jon Leacock on the left and pulled the ball back from the goal-line. There waiting was David Fry, who bicycle-kicked himself into the history books by scoring AFC’s first goal at their new home.

Additional changes from both sides took any real flow out of the match - which was probably a good thing for K’s as the Dons were certainly on top for a time after they scored.

The final whistle saw a slightly strange pitch invasion as the Dons’ fans celebrated their homecoming. They certainly didn’t disgrace themselves, although had K’s had their shooting boots/foreheads on in the first-half they may well have done.

AFC WIMBLEDON: Bell (Martin 78), Howard, Towse (Roberts 46), Readings, Johnston, Robson, Bassey (Sullivan 32), Fry, Mulcaire (Jones 16), Cooper (Sheerin ), Mehmet (Craig Farley 81).

Kevin Cooper started for the Dons today, after putting two past us at Gander Green Lane. The first half was an unbelievable performance, with accurate passes and sound defending. Windsor was frustrated, even scared of the Dons, as they nervously kicked the ball out of play when the Dons were attacking. The change was remarkable, after our 5-0 drubbing at Walton & Hersham. The team played with poise and created some nice chances, although failing to convert them. On the other hand, Windsor had to defend deep, and had two shots at goal; both which were covered by Andy Hunt in goal again, after his sterling performance on Wednesday. Windsor’s saving grace was that of their back four, who on at least four occasions, made Cooper offside.

The second half saw the Dons fans invade a different half of the terraces, and carry on singing. The match actually looked within our grasp. The refereeing before this game had seen some fairly dubious decisions (as the home team selects their own referee to govern the match), but up until the first half, the decisions were sound. With the second half under way the first five minutes showed how the Dons dominated play: passing coolly, dribbling and searching for men. A free kick was given for an unknown reason on the right of the pitch just inside of Windsor’s half. They caught the Dons off-guard and allowed a one-on-one with the keeper; placing the ball into the back of the net on the 53rd minute. After this the Dons seem to come apart as such, and Windsor gained confidence. This led to an assault on the Wimbledon keeper, only for a second goal to go in and be ruled out, much to the delight of the fans.

Eames substituted five off his men, and this seems to show some gratification as two sitters were sorely missed. Overall the game was played mainly by Wimbledon, but it is the goals that count. I feel that the 5-0 that Walton gave us on Wednesday taught us a lesson, and I also feel that the way we played today taught us that we can win; that we are special; and that we’re going to make history. Well, we hope!

I think that the key to our game, against teams a couple of divisions above us is: fitness. In our first couple of games we showed that we could run around for the first 20 minutes well, now we are showing that we can run around for the first hour well. It’s going to take a few more games and a few more defeats (not big ones, mind), to teach ourselves that we are a capable, adaptable and a fit team, full of potential to exploit the CCL.

23/07/02. Walton & Hersham 5 v AFC Wimbledon 0 Attendance : 1,200

Our huge apologies for being so late with this one, but our AFC went down 5-0 to a strong Walton and Hersham side on Tuesday night. It was not our strongest squad admittedly. There was about 1200 in attendence, far more than the Franchise FC match a few days earlier.

The main concencus is that, despite being without a result, Terry has the boys on the right track. Friendly's against teams several divisions above us.

Then, once the CCL season starts, it will seem all that easier for it.

Once again there was good support for the wombles, with a crowd of about 750, the road from the station was paved in yellow and blue shirts and so was the local witherspoon pub.

The game started well with AFC Wombles taking the lead with a 35 yard bending strike on goal from Triggers (his 2nd goal for the club), the goalkeeper standing no chance.

Borahamwood then put some pressure on scoring two goal's the second just before half time, to lead 2-1 and as is the custom know with the wombles supporter's they switch ends with the team's at half time.

The second half was pretty much one sided with Borhamwood's showing their experience and taking a 4-1 lead, just before the Wombles received there 1st penalty which was put away with great skill by Mehmey Mehmet to make the final result 4-2 to Borhamwood.

Spoke to Trigger after the game in the club, he said how much he was enjoying the atmosphere at the games, also saw him travel to the game by train where he spoke to another Don's supporter.

Good to see a football player making time for the fan's.

Starting Line Up Hunt, Gallimore, Roberts, Johnson, Memhet, Carley, Sullivan,Trigger, Sheerin, Fry, Dean Martin.

History was made today by the player known only as Trigger.

Game three and AFC-Wimbledon are starting to look like a team.

The Dons held there own for most of the 1st half showing some good passing moves at time, Bromley took the lead with a dubious penalty just before half time.

In the second half the dons had more chance's and finally history was made , when with 35 yard screamer into the top right corner Trigger became the 1st player to score for AFC-Wimbledon.

Unfortunately Bromly had not read the script and scored with a well taken overhead kick to make the final score 2-1 to Bromley.

Once again there was a great atmosphere at a Wimbledon game from supports finally able to enjoy there local football team.

AFC Wimbledon improved on it's mid-week debut by only going down by 1 goal against Dulwich Hamlet this afternoon in their second ever friendly.

The attendence was an impressive 1,400. Reports that the Dulwich scorer (Wayne Cort) is Carl's brother, are yet to be confirmed.

AFC Wimbledon started life in style when 4,652 fans turned out to watch them play Sutton United in their first ever match.

The "new Dons" may have lost 4-0 at Gander Green Lane, but they were undoubtedly winners as fans turned out in force to support them.

Kick-off had to be delayed three times as supporters continued to pour into the ground well after the initial start time of 1930 BST.

Kris Stewart, chairman of AFC Wimbledon, was understandably delighted.

"For a pre-season friendly between two non-league clubs it was a fantastic crowd," he said.

"It has been a rollercoaster ride over the last six weeks putting this thing together and everyone's worked really hard to do it.

They hadn't played together as a team too much but there's obviously a lot of talent there

He pointed out that the 22-man squad had only recently been assembled following trials that attracted 230 players.

"Those guys have only had one proper training session," he argued.

"They hadn't played together as a team too much but there's obviously a lot of talent there."