Saturday 8th May 2004
AFC Wallingford 1-2 AFC Wimbledon

Last game of the season and plenty of silverware to be handed out and on hand was a man not unaccustomed to a bit of silverware Mr Dave Beasent, once again Coops won the Junior Dons Player Of The Year award, the Players Player Of The Year was Matt Everard.

The Dons kicked off attackingthe Athletics End and within three minutes a bad header back to the keeper let in Jamie Taylor to open the scoring, but was it too early, the home team came start back at the Dons, but where unable to make all their pressure count and the closes they came was a thunderous strike that left the crossbar rattled.

At half time the Womble Underground Press Young Player Of The Year was awarded to Gavin Bolger and the Reserve Player Of The Year was Sam Elliott.

The 2nd half was again saw the Wallies put the Dons under pressure with the help of a very nippy substitute, it looked like the three games in less than a week and the long hard season was starting to show and with twenty minutes gone a clumsy challenge gave the Wallies a freekick just outside the box, up stepped SSK oops sorry that was last season he now plays for us, but the goal direct from the freekick was just as good it did look like Matt Martin was still trying to organise the wall at the time and could not get over quick enough to save it, but the ref had allowed the kick to be taken so one all and a fairly scoreline given the performance of the Wallies.

With the Dons upping the gears and looking more like the team that had dismantled CCL teams all season well apart from four, this made for an exciting end to the game with both teams having their fair share of play and it took a deflection off Coops from a well hit strike from outside the box by Gareth Graham to beat Paul Strudley in the Wallies goal.

Two one to the Dons, well done AFC Wallingford for giving us another taste of what to expect next season some good close football, both teams went off to raptures applause while some more silverware was laid out on a table in the centre circle, then out came AFC Wallingford to receive their well earned league runners up medals and a team photo, then out came the Champions, 1st up Phillo announced the WISA Sponsored AFC Wimbledon Player Of The Year which went to Matt Everard, well done Matt, followed very closely in 2nd & 3rd was Danny Oakins & Kevin Cooper, then Phillo asked Coop's girlfriend to come onto the pitch as at the start of the season Coops had promise to marry her if he got less than forty one goals in the season and as he had well pass that, there was not much chance of that then, until to her surprise, but no one else's Coops asked Sophie too marry him and after a moments pause she said yes, good luck to the both of you.

Then it was time for the Champions to receive their medals/awards and then Captain Joe Sheerin and Matt Everard went to the canter circle together to lift the CCL Cup this was followed by a lap of honour with both the league and cup trophies on show, what a way to end the season more again soon please, but not to soon as the players look like they need a rest.

Goal Scorer : Jamie Taylor (3m), Gareth Graham (83m)

Goals Scored Against : (65m)

Team : Matt Martin, Steve Gibson, Matt Everard, Danny Oakins,Darren Dobinson, Lee Sidwell, Gareth Graham, Seb Favata, Ryan Gray, Jamie Taylor, Kevin Cooper.

Subs Used : Keith Ward, Shane Small-King,

Not used subs : Lewis Taylor, Jamie Angell, Paul Quinn

Thursday 6th May 2004
AFC Wimbledon 3-3 Reading Town

What should have been a fairly easy game, turned into a struggle to hold onto the unbeaten run, the Dons were being out muscled in the middle and unable to brake down the Reading Town defence so much so that in the 1st half we had no shots on goal and Reading should have been two up.

Just after the brake Reading took the lead and then on sixty seven minutes doubled their lead, resulting in the instant bring on of top scorer Coops, who within three minutes had one a freekick on the edge of the box, which he placed and hit the low pass the wall into the corner pocket, ten minutes later from an identical position on the Dons again received a freekick and Coops produced the same result two all.

With time running out the Dons pilled on the pressure and from a cross on the right, the ball was cleared off the line by a defender, but only for Coops to scramble it into the back of the net for his hat-trick an to give the Dons the lead three two.

The ref seem too find plenty of injury time and with about six minutes pass the ninety Reading had a corner from which they got a deserved equaliser three all and just enough time to kick off before the ref blow his whistle to the relief of the two thousand odd Dons.

Goal Scorer : Kevin Cooper (70, 80, 86)

Goals Scored Against : 51m, 67m, 90m

Team : Matt Martin, Steve Gibson, Paul Quinn, Lewis Taylor, Matt Everard, Darren Dobinson, Lee Sidwell, Seb Favata, Gareth Graham, Shane Small-King, Jamie Taylor

Subs Used : Kevin Cooper, Danny Oakins, Ryan Gray

Not used subs : Jamie Angell, Ross Standen.

Attendance : 2,208

Monday 3rd May 2004
Raynes Park Vale 2-3 AFC Wimbledon

On a very wet Bank Holiday Monday at eleven thirty the Dons nearly let slip the unbeaten run, the surface of the pitch was not in the best of conditions and the none stop rain was not helping, but both teams had to play on it and from the start Raynes Park seemed quicker to adapt their play and had the best of the early action.

With just over ten minutes gone the Dons received a freekick just outside the box, Gareth Graham line the ball up and tried to curly the ball round the wall, but the ball hit a RPV player and fell into the path of of Matt Everard who calmly side footed it pass the RPV keeper.

With the weather getting worse and the canter of the pitch becoming more and more unplayable RPV started to play more and more long balls over the top and on the half hour mark one of these balls caught Danny Oakins out leaving him stretching his leg out in vain, but the ball had passed him and let in a RPV player who sent in a low ball that was knocked pass Ross Standen in goal.

Ginge had a chances to put the Dons into the lead, but from close range managed to hit the ball over the goal and into the crowd too chants of how high do you want the goal, then just before half time the Dons went behind after a RPV player had picked up the ball on the left and on the only surface of the pitch that the ball moved well forward and skipped pass a couple of Dons before striking a low ball into the bottom right corner of the net.

The 2nd half started with the Dons making a change up front Jamie Taylor came on for Jones Bamfo and with the rain still chucking it down it was not surprising that the usual change of end by Dons supports behind the goal on mass did not happen, but with less than ten minutes gone and a far bit of pressure those that did were treated to a close up of the Dons equaliser from a corner on the main stand side the ball was swung in low and after a couple of swings at the ball it looked like RPV had cleared the the box, but their no fifteen who had just came on head the ball back towards goal and over the head of the player on the line jumping to clear it two all.

With the Dons putting RPV under more & more pressure mainly from the right wing where Lee Sidwell who seemed to have more mud on his kit than the pitch had grass kept on slipping pass the defenders and sending in cross, Lewis Taylor and Kevin Cooper where brought on with about fifteen minutes left, Lewis replaces Ginge in midfield and Coops replaces Ryan Gray and Shane Small-King moved out onto the left wing and it was from this position the SSK reproduced his tapin from Tuesday night picking the ball up outside the box, moving slightly infield struck the ball into the far right corner given the keeper no chance and then setting off on his own celebration run that went across the pitch before circling back towards the goalmouth.

As the ref finally blew the whistle for full time Coops who had some how kept his kit spotless was dragged by his team mates through the mud, turning him the same colour as the rest yellow and brown, that probably answers the question why did Sutton Utd choice those two colours for their kit ? answer saves on cleaning.

Goal Scorer : Matt Everard (11), OG (56), Shane Small-King (84)

Goals Scored Against : 30m, 43m

Team : Ross Standen, Steve Gibson, Matt Everard, Danny Oakins, Darren Dobinson, Lee Sidwell, Seb Favata,Gareth Graham, Jones Bamfo, Ryan Gray

Subs Used : Lewis Taylor, Kevin Cooper, Jamie Taylor

Not used subs : Paul Quinn

Attendance : 1,438

Friday 30th April 2004
AFC Wimbledon 1-4 North Greenford Utd

I let the pictures tell the story click here.

Well done to North Greenford for giving us a good match and well done to the lads for coming back from one down, we won the double what more can I say, how great is this club we support.

Goal Scorer : Gavin Bolger (22), Matt Everard (65), Kevin Cooper (72,88)

Goals Scored Against : 19m

Team : Ross Standen, Steve Gibson, Matt Everard, Danny Oakins, Darren Dobinson, Andy Sullivan, Seb Favata, Gavin Bolger, Ryan Gray, Kevin Cooper, Jamie Taylor

Subs Used : Gareth Graham,, Lee Sidwell, Paul Quinn

Not used subs : Lewis Taylor, Jamie Angell

Attendance : 3,722

Tuesday 27th April 2004
North Greenford Utd 1-2 AFC Wimbledon

This was never going to be a classic with both teams looking to save players for the Cup Final on Friday and heavy rain thunder, lightning and in parts hail stones the pitch nearly became un-playable, but once the players had been issued with wetsuits, fins& snorkels there was no problem.

The Dons started the game defending the deep end and had a few hairy moments when the balls got held up in the area's of the pitch with some puddles of grass.

On fifteen minutes a corner for the Dons resulted in the 1st of the Dons goals as the came a cross a glancing header by Paul Quinn guiding the ball pass the keeper and notching up his third goal in four games

Four minutes later Shane Small-King scored another of his simple tapin's, your now the ones where he curl's it from one side of the box to the far top corner of the goal, love to see what one of his wonderstrikes look like.

The 2nd half was just as laid-back and the only real action came in the last ten minutes, when an overhead flick by a NGU ended up in the back of the net, this was followed by two goal line clearance's, the 1st was cleared by the head of Matt Everard, the 2nd was more of a scramble, not sure who final cleared.

Finally the whistle blow, the unbeaten run survived a potential very slipper banana skin and both teams seem to have came out unscathed, the only injury of any note was to Simon Bassey who received a knock above the knee hope its not too bad.

Expect a few changes for the starting line up on Friday from both teams, come on you Dons...........

Goal Scorer : Paul Quinn (15), Shane Small-King (21)

Goals Scored Against : 87m

Team : Matt Martin, Rob Hill, Lewis Taylor, Sam Elliott, Paul Quinn, Marc Skinner, Gareth Graham, Simon Bassey, Joe Hill, Shane Small-King, Andy Sullivan.

Subs Used : Danny Oakins, Matt Everard, Seb Favata

Not used subs : Darren Dobinson, Steve Gibson

Attendance : 492

Saturday 24th April 2004
Chessington & Hook 3-5 AFC Wimbledon

With the kind words that the C&H manager had to say in the press this week this game was always going to have and edge to it, but who would have thought that after four minutes the champions would be down two nil, the 1st goal after just one minute was a brake away on the left that had a touch of offside to it and the final ball into the box took two attempt's to knock it over the line, the 2nd was much the same except the ball fell into the path of Matt Everard and bounce in off his shine for an OG.

The Dons finally started too pass the ball about, but all to often the ball hit high into the box are was over hit down the lines, the 1st Dons goal came from a corner Matt Everard was on the end of it knocking it back into the goal area where Paul Quinn converted it into a goal.

With some strange decision being given by the ref and our players being held it wasn't long before someone went into his book, so when a C&H player fell onto the ball just outside the box cupping the ball into his body with his hand and three Dons players managed between then get the ball out the ref award C&H a free kick and gave Danny Oakins yellow card.

Just before half time the linesman award the Dons a throw in just by the dugouts, but the ref gave it C&H's way which didn't go down well with the Dons bench the ref then ran over to them and after a few words ordered Nicky English off the field.

As the players where heading back to the clubhouse at half-time the ref pulled out his red card and sent Gareth Graham off and before the game had restarted he handed out another yellow card to Shane Small-King.

Andy Sullivan came on and replaced Paul Quinn and Seb Favarta moved into the centre while Sully went onto the left wing and almost straight away caused c&h problem's, with the Dons on all out attack c&h were being put under more pressure, but on 75 minutes they managed to brake away and three men closed down on goalkeeper Ross Standen who was unable to stop the shot from going in.

Less than two minutes had passed when Shane Small King had jinxed his way to the edge of the six yard box and sent in a inch perfect cross to the back post, where Ryan Gray out jumped his marker to bring it back to three two.

Three minutes later the ref award the Dons a penalty, given the c&h player a yellow card, top scorer Kevin Cooper placed the ball sent the keeper the wrong way and slotted the ball to the keepers left and bring the Dons level three all.

As the players went back to the centre circle and scuffle broke out were Shane Small King was clearly punched, both him and a c&h player where dismissed by the ref, the Dons where now down to nine players and c&h had ten left on the pitch, this was evened out two minutes later, when a close range shot was stopped on the line by a c&h player, who the ref then dismissed nine all.

Coops stepped up and scored his 60th goal of the season when he hit an almost identical penalty and given the Dons the lead.

With the clock running down Darren Dobinson chased the ball into the box and with a defender and the c&h keeper closing down on him he taped the ball pass them both and while they tried to figure out where the ball had gone, Dobo has passed them and was after the ball, trapping the ball before it went over he turned and taped the ball back across goal into the path of Ryan Gray to tap in for the Dons fifth goal.

We only need nine men, we only need nine men and your can have a two goal head start, well done Dons another well earned three points.

Goal Scorer : Paul Quinn (15), Ryan Gray (77,88), Kevin Cooper (81pen, 83pen)

Goals Scored Against : 1m, 4m Matt Everard OG, 75m

Team : Ross Standen, Steve Gibson, Matt Everard, Danny Oakins, Paul Quinn, Seb Favata, Gareth Graham, Simon Bassey, Ryan Gray, Kevin Cooper, Shane Small-King.

Subs Used : Darren Dobinson, Andy Sullivan, Lee Sidwell

Not used subs : Lewis Taylor, Jamie Angell

Attendance : 1,001

Sent Off : Nicky English, Gareth Graham, Shane Small-King.

Wednesday 21st April 2004
AFC Wimbledon 8-0 Cove

The Dons cruise in 1st gear to another three points tonight with four goals in each half the 1st coming on 15th minutes was a fine lob over the AFCW fan Cove keeper Adam Watts, Kevin Cooper started his record braking night with an excellent curling shot from the edge of the box six minutes later.

The third was a long range strike from Shane Small-King that seem too catch the Keeper out, as the ball went between him and Danny Oakins who was closing down on him to drop into the bottom corner, it as also Danny Oakins who set Coops up for his 2nd of the night just pass the half hour mark.

The four 2nd half goals all came in the last twelve minute, Gavin Bolger laid the ball through to Seb Favata to slot home goal five and on eighty one minutes Coops equaled Eddie Reynolds record with another fine strike for his fifty seventh goal of the season and eighth hat-trick of the season.

Danny Oakins scored the seventh from a corner on eighty three minutes and with five minutes left Shane Small-King turned the Cove defenders inside out around the box, before driving into the area and being brought down, giving the ref no choice but to award a penalty.

There was only going to be one person taking the penalty, even if another couple of players did fancy their chances the crowd only wanted to see Coops take it and so up he stepped to take his place in Dons history with a well taken free kick sending Adam Watts the wrong way.

Hark now here the west bank sing a new kings born today he's name is Kevin Cooper and he broke Eddie Reynolds record to day, Well Done Coops no longer a legend in the making, you are a Legend.

Kevin Cooper 2003/4 58 goals 50 appearance

Eddie Reynolds1964/5 57 goals 49 appearances

Two Greats in the History of Football in Wimbledon.

Kevin is also one goal away from one hundred goals for the Dons after reaching his ninety nine tonight (100 if you count a his single friendly goal) and also became joint top scorer in a single game with Andrew Petty's also netting four goals.

Goal Scorer : Jamie Taylor (15), Kevin Cooper (21,36,81,85), Shane Small-King (26), Seb Favata (78), Danny Oakins (83)

Goals Scored Against : -

Team : Ross Standen, Darren Dobinson, Matt Everard, Lewis Taylor, Danny Oakins, Paul Quinn, Gareth Graham, Shane Small-King, Gavin Bolger, Jamie Taylor, Kevin Cooper.

Subs Used : Simon Bassey, Seb Favata, Jamie Angell

Not used subs : Andy Sullivan Lee Sidwell

Attendance : 2,519

Saturday 17th April 2004
Merstham 0-6 AFC Wimbledon

Turning up for Mertsham ground, it was great to see that the club had once again put a lot of effort to make us Dons welcome and that they had also made some great changes to the ground, the new club house look splendid, the pitch was surrounded by solid path and the pitch itself was also in top condition and hopefully the high fence around the ground will help to keep it that way.

Once again Mertsham's chairman Ted Hickmen went around the crowd shaking hands and the cheese rolls where again on offer, but not in such quantity and had all been snapped up before the game had even started.

Before the game start the Mertsham players lined up by the players entrance and applauded the Champions out onto the pitch.

The 1st goal came after twenty five minutes after some fine work by Gavin Bolger he laid the ball off to Kevin Cooper on the edge of the box with his back to goal he turned his marker and curled the ball into the top right corner.

Goal two was just excellent, Jamie Taylor ran into the box holding off two players, before pushing the ball through to Gavin, who ran over the ball and rolled it backwards into the path of Jamie, who slid the ball into the bottom right corner.

Having set up the first two it was Gavins turn to score, the 1st of his two goals was created by Shane Small-King picking the ball up on the touchline he performed a couple of step over's, before passing the ball forward into the path of Gavin who hit the ball first time like a rocket in to the back of the net.

Gavins second was lay on a plate for him by Coops, who held the ball up on the edge of the box before taping it into the path of Bolger who drilled the shot so hard that it went straight under the back of the net.

With it being four nil at half time the second half was always going to a bit more laid back and so it was the fifth goal came after seventy ninth minutes a cross went pass the goal and was going out for a goalkick, but Coops managed to keep it in before dragging it back into the towards goal and pushing the ball into the path of Gareth Graham, who lashed the ball it to the back of the net for his 1st goal of the season.

The scoring was wrapped up with four minutes left, Paul Quinn hit a cross from the edge of the touchline, which curled unchallenged into the far post, not a bad way to score your 1st goal for your club.

Another great day out was had by all at Mertsham.

Goal Scorer : Kevin Cooper (25), Jamie Taylor (31), Gavin Bolger (36,41), Paul Quinn (79), Gareth Graham (86)

Goals Scored Against : -

Team : Ross Standen, Steve Gibson, Matt Everard, Lewis Taylor, Paul Quinn, Shane Small-King, Gavin Bolger, Simon Bassey, Ryan Gray, Jamie Taylor, Kevin Cooper.

Subs Used : Gareth Graham, , Darren Dobinson, Danny Oakins

Not used subs : Andy Sullivan

Attendance : 1,202

Easter Monday 12th April 2004
Walton Casuals 0-3 AFC Wimbledon

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, SAY WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, SAY WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

Wow just about recovered from yesterday and it seems to be sinking in, been getting strange looks at work to, great big smile on my face and bursting out in chants of championes, championes, ole ole ole, but hay if you can't do it when the club you love has just won the league when can you.

The day started very early and made my way from Walton upon Thames station, arriving at the ground about half eleven, and with three and a half hours to kick off decided to have a sit down outside the Weir pub, found about twenty other Dons having the same idea or where they like me just waiting to get something to settle the nerves, the Wallies had kicked off at half eleven and just before half time the news that Reading Town had taken the lead was being spread, but as the Wallies had been one down on Saturday and came back to win in the 2nd half, so no one got their hopes up, well not too much.

Went to see what time the gates would be opening only to find a long queue already at the gates. So decided to join, just then news that the Wallies had equalized , that still would put winning the championship in our hands, well the players anyway, the gates where opened and in we went with an even bigger queue still forming outside, inside and with ten minutes to go at Reading people where hanging around Paul Raymond who was in contact with Stilez Wallingfords webmaster at Reading, minutes left could Reading hold on, the game went into injury time, then the Walton PA announced that the Wallies had drawn with Reading, now it was down to the players who had proved themselves more than worthy all season, win and the title was ours, draw or lose and it off to Mertsham to try again and in front of nearly 1,800 eager Dons so no pressure then.

The kick off to the game itself was delayed by 25 minute's adding to the buildup, yellow and blue was everywhere around the ground Walton Casuals kicked off attacking the leisure center end, the pitch wasn't the best but both teams were having to play on it the game started slowly with Walton C have more of the action could they upset the part atmosphere that was building, with just three minutes gone the place erupted as the big man rose above everyone to connect to a Ryan Gray cross with a ™ header, one nil, but Walton were not just going to lay down and they always give us a tough test so one goal was never going to be enough.

Walton had a couple of good chances, but nothing to trouble Ross in goal, with fifteen minutes gone Kevin Cooper (who else) made it two with a low shot that took a deflection on root, but will take it anyway, that also made him the Dons all time leading goal scorer with forty one league goals.

The Dons had a couple more chances and so did Walton, but nether team seem to be able to settle, half time came the buzz around the ground was growing, two nil up with just forty five minutes to go could the boy hold their nerves with all the growing anticipation around the ground.

The second half seem to go really slowly, Walton didn't put the back four under that much pressure and Seb and Gavin seem to have taken control of the middle allowing Ryan Gray and Shane Small-King to go on their darting runs down the wings, on sixty two minutes Coops received the ball outside the box and before anyone had noticed he had unleashed a shot that flew pass the keeper and nestled into the corner of the net and signaling the start of the party.

Thirty minutes left, but the fight seem to have gone out of Walton Casual and the Dons had started to turn on the style, time tick away until the ref finally blew his whistle to a roar from the crowd and mad celebration all round, then it was back to Kingsmeadow where 5-600 fans joined the players & officials to carry on the party till closing time.

Once more SAY WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, SAY WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

Goal Scorer : Matt Everard (3), Kevin Cooper (15,62)

Goals Scored Against : -

Team : Ross Standen, Danny Oakins, Matt Everard, Darren Dobinson, Lee Sidwell, Seb Favata, Gavin Bolger, Ryan Gray, Jamie Taylor, Kevin Cooper, Shane Small-King

Subs Used : Simon Bassey, Gareth Graham, Paul Quinn

Not used subs : Lewis Taylor, Jones Bamfo

Attendance : 1,748

Saturday 10th April 2004
AFC Wimbledon 6-0 Withdean 2000
Defending Champions Withdean where given six of the best match at Kingsmeadow today.

Well that was easy apart from a snap shot early in the first half that produced a excellent diving save from Ross Standen, Withdean never troubled the Dons goal, the first of the Dons goals came just on the half hour when from a corner Matt Everard scrambled the ball over the line, the second was a Coops after Danny Oakins was was brought down inside the box, which Coops converted with easy and brought him his goal tally to fifty this season.

The third was another cracker from new signing Shane Small-King with minutes left in the half he picking the ball up on the edge of the center circle, he dribbled unchallenged to the edge of the box and stuck a low ball pass the W2K's keeper.

The Dons attacked the Athletics End in the second half and it took just of twelve minutes to increase the score to four with another Matt Everard ™ goal (as captured in the photo above click here to enlarge or click the photo for more pictures), raising into the sky to power home at the back post from a corner.

Goal five was the best of the day, S.S-K cut inside from the right laying the ball off to Gavin Bolger with his back to goal on the edge of the box, he turned his marker and struck a curling ball into the top left corner.

With time almost, Jones Bamfo who had been causing the W2K defenders all half taunted them on the edge of the box before passing across to Gavin Bolger who drove to the byline before chipping in a perfect cross to the six yard box, where Coops completed a home and away double header and also equaling Eddie Reynolds league record of 40 in one less game (39), well done Coops.

So Three more points towards the title which IF (football Gods take note I said IF) results go the right way i.e. AFC Wallingford Draw or Lose tomorrow and IF we beat Walton Casuals the title will be ours, kick off is at 3pm and there is a limit of 1,800 at Walton Casuals so get there early if you want to get in.

Goal Scorer : Matt Everard (30,61), Kevin Cooper (43 pen, 90), Shane Small-King (45), Gavin Bolger (74)

Goals Scored Against : -

Team : Ross Standen, Danny Oakins, Darren Dobinson, Matt Everard, Jamie Angell, Shane Small-King, Seb Favata, Gavin Bolger, Ryan Gray, Kevin Cooper, Jamie Taylor

Subs Used : Jones Bamfo, Lewis Taylor, Lee Sidwell

Not used subs : Simon Bassey, Paul Quinn

Attendance : 2,855

Thursday 8th April 2004
Premier Challenge Cup Semi Final
Coney Hall 0-5 AFC Wimbledon (at Sutton Utd FC)

The Dons cruised pass Coney Hall to reach the final against North Greenford, four 1st half goals killed off any hope for Coney and having a player sent off after half an hour didn't help.

The Dons had to make an early change when Sully went off injured and was replaced by Lee Sidwell, the CH keeper looked very nervous from the start and made some early mistakes the best being when he went to trap the ball on the line, it slipped through his legs and in his panic he picked the ball up, resulting in a freekick two yards from goal and and on the line, as with any close range freekick it ended up going out for a corner after a few shots.

With the Dons in the mood they where in it could have been five or six before the 1st goals, which was a well converted penalty by Coops after a Coney player had done something in the box and was sent off.

The second goal five minutes later was another Matt Everard trademark header, followed two minutes later was another superb strike from Coops, running towards the box he hit the a curve ball with the outside of his foot which caught the keeper off guard and gave him no chance.

Less than five minutes later Jamie Taylor made it four, when he spotted the keeper off his line and lobbed him from way outside the box.

The second half was less one sided and Coney gave Ross Standen something to do, but the goal was never under any real threat, Coney Hall had two more sent off in the second half, first their manager then their assistant where both dismissed by the ref.

On fifty nine minutes Lee Sidwell went on a winding run towards goal, then slide an inch perfect pass through to Coops who poked the ball pass the outcoming keeper and complete his hatrick and make it five nil.

With minutes left Coney Hall had a second player sent off, when he stopped a shot on goal with his hands and the Dons where awarded a second penalty and up stepped Simon Bassey, yes Simon Bassey and reproduced another famous semi final penalty and sent it sailing into the night sky never to be seen again.

The ref blow the final whistle seconds later, signaling the start of celebration on and off the pitch and sending the Dons into the final, Woking here we come, well done to the lad's.

Also well done to the Sutton Utd ,both Cubs, the Stewards and the Police for making sure the game went ahead without any problems

Goal Scorer : Kevin Cooper (29 pen, 36,59), Matt Everard (34), Jamie Taylor (41)

Goals Scored Against : -

Team : Ross Standen, Danny Oakins, Matt Martin, Jamie Angell, Darren Dobinson, Andy Sullivan, Seb Favata, Gavin Bolger, Ryan Gray, Kevin Cooper, Jamie Taylor

Subs Used : Simon Bassey, Paul Quinn, Lee Sidwell

Not used subs : Jones Bamfo, Lewis Taylor

Attendance : 1,901

Saturday 3rd April 2004
Westfield 0-3 AFC Wimbledon (at Woking FC)

The day started with a trip down to Westfield ground, where quite a few dons had gathered to the joy of the welcoming Westfield officials who where disappointed that the game was unable to be played there.

The game started with the Dons attack the small end and looked dangerous from the start with Small-King upfront partnering Kevin Cooper, at the back with no Matt Everard, Jamie Angell and Danny Oakins where the centerbacks and Lewis Taylor replaces injured Steve Gibson an right back.

It was from an upfield surge by Lewis that was the start of the 1st goal, he laid the ball forward to Shane S.K on the corner of the box just outside who used his strength to hold of the player before turning him and ran parallel with the goal line before hitting the ball unstoppable across the pitch into the far side of the goal, then ran to the far side of the pitch and gave Ivor a high five.

Westfield defence held it to just the one goal at half time with some good defending.

The second half with the Dons attacking the Big stand and six minutes in Ryan Gray chased down the ball to the sideline before turning his marker back and forth before hitting and cross into the six yard box that the keeper went to claim, but failed and dropped the ball right into the path of Sully who put the ball in off his chest.

Sully could have had a hat trick with a couple of clear chances, but his shooting was off, along with Ryan Gray who also had two close range shots go high and wide, well wide wouldn't describe the 1st as it went out for a throwing and was given a chorus of how wide do you want the goal, from the Dons in the Big stand.

Jamie Taylor, Jones Bamfo and Simon Bassey replaced Coops, Lewis Taylor and SSK late on

The scoring was finished of by Jamie Taylor on seventy two minutes, when he picked the ball up from the sideline and ran in field to the edge of the box, before drilling a low ball into the near side bottom corner.

Three more points in the bag soon became six when news filtered through that Bedfont had beaten the Wallies two one, extending our lead to eighteen points and securing at least second place and also meaning we only need seven points to win the league.

Goal Scorer : Shane Small-King (36), Andy Sullivan (51), Jamie Taylor (72)

Goals Scored Against : -

Team : Ross Standen, Danny Oakins, Lewis Taylor, Jamie Angell, Darren Dobinson,Andy Sullivan, Seb Favata, Gavin Bolger, Ryan Gray, Shane Small-King, Kevin Cooper.

Subs Used : Jones Bamfo, Jamie Taylor,Simon Bassey

Not used subs : Paul Quinn, Lee Sidwell

Attendance : 1,013

Wednesday 31st March 2004
AFC Wimbledon 2-0 Horley Town

Not the best of performances, but the Dons still ran out two nil winners against Horley Town, for most of the first half Horley had the best of the chances and could have had a couple of goals before with our first real attack resulted in a goal, it was created by new signing Shane Small King , who held the ball up well before laying the ball into the box for George Snee to blast home from close range.

Two minutes later Gavin Bolger scored a cracking goal and from the edge of the box and made the game safe.

The Dons did step up a gear in the second half with Shane Small King making an impressive debut and Jamie Taylor again worrying the oppositions defence the game never looked in doubt in the second half, but again the defence did let Horley through a couple of times.

Three more points in the bag and only thirteen more to win the title.

Goal Scorer : George Snee (36), Gavin Bolger (38)

Goals Scored Against : -

Team : Ross Standen, Steve Gibson, Matt Everard, Jamie Angell, Darren Dobinson, George Snee, Andy Sullivan, Seb Favata, Gavin Bolger, Shane Small King, Jamie Taylor

Subs Used : Jones Bamfo, Gareth Graham, Danny Oakins

Not used subs : Lewis Taylor, Paul Quinn

Attendance : 2,334

Saturday 27th March 2004
Southall 0-4 AFC Wimbledon

The next game is away to Southall and should be a tougher challenge, yer right apart from the first ten - fifteen minutes, the Dons dominated the game against third place Southall, the dons opened the scoring on eighteen when Darren Dobinson made one of his penetrating runs on the right then laid the off too Coops in the box he turned two players and drilled the ball low into the opposite corner, through a crowd of Southall defenders and under the diving keepers body.

Kevin Cooper then created the second five minutes later, after taking the ball to the bye line in the box, he turned his markers inside out again and dragged the ball back to Gavin Bolger on the edge of the six yard box, who hit it first time into the top of the net.

The Dons had plenty of chances to increase the lead with Coops and Jamie Taylor linking up well and Sully again put in an soild performance down the wing, the back four where moping up anything that Souhall tried to create.

The second half was all one way with the midfield dominating and laying on the balls through the Southall defense, but the linesman seem very flag happy, but on seventy three minutes Jamie Taylor time his run perfectly and slide the ball pass the outcoming keeper from just inside the box to open his scoring tally in a Dons shirt.

Jones Bamfo came on for Coops and then Lewis Taylor replaces Jamie Taylor upfront and both came close to also getting their 1st goals and both from through runs, with Lewis's shot going just wide and Jones Bamfo being taken out by the keeper as he was about to shot from outside the box.

With the clock ticking down Gorge Snee replaced Ryan Gray on the wing and then on ninety minutes the biggest cheer of the day came when the young defender playing up front ran onto a through ball and scored an identical goal to Jamie Taylor .

Southall once again out did themselves with it's catering, with another very long queue for the curry tent once again and the ground their sharing had some pretty good terraces with a picturesque scene at one, shame that BR & LU both decided too engineering work on the same day which help to reduce the attendance to just six hundred and forty eight, but the four nil win well made up for the three and a bit hour journey.

The Dons next game is on Wednesday at home to Horley Town and no I'm not going to make an predictions.

Goal Scorer : Kevin Cooper (18), Gavin Bolger (23), Jamie Taylor (73), Lewis Taylor (90)

Goals Scored Against : -

Team : Ross Standen, Steve Gibson, Matt Everard, Jamie Angell, Darren Dobinson, Andy Sullivan, Gavin Bolger, Seb Favata, Ryan Gray, Kevin Cooper, Jamie Taylor

Subs Used : Lewis Taylor, Jones Bamfo, George Snee

Not used subs : Paul Quinn

Attendance : 647

Tuesday 23rd March 2004
Frimley Green 1-3 AFC Wimbledon

A solid performance against a much improved Frimley Green team resulted in another three point, the opened the scoring early with just five minutes gone a corner from the left fell to Gavin Bolger at the back of the box who hit a looping volley into the top of the net, Frimley hit back two minutes late when some slack defending let in Frimleys no eleven, who hit a low cross bar pass Matt Martin in goal.

Matt Everard put the ball in the back of the net with a typical ME headed, but was adjudged to have foul someone in doing so, on thirty eight minutes Andy Sullivan ran at the Frimley defenders to the bye line before laying the ball back across the goal where Darren Dobinson was on hand to slide the ball home.

Jamie Taylor make his full debut could have made it three with a fine snap shot just before half time.

The badly ploughed pitch was making it hard for the Dons to settle into the normal flowing passing game and it took until the seventy third minute for the Dons to get the third goal, it was pretty much like the first goal, with Jamie Taylor went pass the Frimley defenders to the defenders before crossing the ball low across the box where after a couple of Dons players had their shots stopped before Coops at the back post pushed the ball over the line.

The next game is away to Southall and should be a tougher challenge.

Goal Scorer : Gavin Bolger (5), Darren Dobinson (39),Kevin Cooper (73)

Goals Scored Against : (7)

Team : Matt Martin, Steve Gibson, Paul Quinn, Jamie Angell, Matt Everard, Darren Dobinson, Andy Sullivan, Gavin Bolger , Seb Favata, Kevin Cooper, Jamie Taylor

Subs Used : Paul Scott, Ryan Gray

Not used subs : Lewis Taylor, Sam Elliott, , Ross Standen

Attendance : 748

Tuesday 16th March 2004
Coney Hall - AFC Wimbledon

Match abandoned after five minutes of extra time 2-2 after 90mins, due to fighting on terrace's

Goal Scorer : -

Goals Scored Against : -

Team : -

Subs Used : -

Not used subs : -

Attendance :-

Saturday 13th March 2004
Godalming & Guildford 1-4 AFC Wimbledon

The dons started well with Paul Scott chasing a long ball down the center off the pitch and just getting to the bouncing ball before the keeper and kneeing the ball pass him, the ball the continued goalward just beaten a defender too the line one nil with just seven minutes gone, but within three minutes the Gees had pulled a goal back after the dons defence tried to catch a Gees player offside and failed he went on e on one with Matt Martin and knocked it passed him one all ten minutes gone.

The earlier rain had made the pitch rather muddy and this didn't help either team with their passing game and both teams reverted to along ball game, which didn't make for an interesting first half.

The second half was only seven minutes old when Nicky English made the first of two changes that changed the game, Kevin Cooper came on for Paul Scott who was not having much luck with his 1st touch, the second change was to replace George Snee who was getting out muscled in central midfield by the Gee's with Simon Bassey, from then on the tide of play was very much in the dons favor and shortly after Gavin Bolger played a low ball into the six yard box where Joe Sheerin cheekily back heeled it over the line.

Just three minutes later the dons opened up a two goal gap when a Bassey free kick from outside the box was floated into to the six yard box where a powerful header from Matt Everard gave the keeper no chance.

The forth and final goal was a cracker the Gees received a free kick out side our box, they decided to take it quickly, but the ref told them to take it again, their second attempt was charged down my Danny Oakins and he cleared the ball to the half way line where Gavin Bolger header the ball pass his two markers and carried on up field with the ball, he held off challenges from the Gees all the way into the box then just as he was about to be dragged down he squared the ball too Joe Sheerin, who had the simple task of slipping the ball into the empty net.

The Gee's had a long range shot hit the cross bar, new signing Jamie Taylor came on late for Ryan Gray, but didn't get much service so didn't get too show what he could do.

With the game in injury time Joe Sheerin went sliding in for a fifty fifty challenge and stayed down holding onto he's right knee in some pain by the looks of it, he's was carried away to the changing room's, it was reported on the W&WW grapevine that he had twisted his knee, hope its not too bad.

Else where in the CCL, the Wallies could on get a draw away to Chessington & Hook and are now being chased down for second spot by Southall who beat Raynes Park two nil at home, our lead is now fifteen points with a game in hand still.

Goal Scorer : Paul Scott (7), Joe Sheerin (71), Matt Everard (74), Joe Sheerin (75)

Goals Scored Against : (10)

Team : Matt Martin , Steve Gibson, Danny Oakins, Matt Everard, Darren Dobinson, Lee Sidwell, Gavin Bolger , George Snee, Ryan Gray, Paul Scott, Joe Sheerin

Subs Used : Kevin Cooper, Simon Bassey, Jamie Taylor

Not used subs : Andy Sullivan, Paul Quinn

Attendance : 1,034

Wednesday 10th March 2004
AFC Wimbledon 1-1 AFC Wallingford

With the kick off being delayed for fifteen minutes due too traffic problems AFC Wallingford finally came too town and with our boys produced an entertained and evenly contested match, in the 1st half the Dons had more of the ball, but not many real chances and Wallingford had the better clear cut chances with Ross Standen in goal pulling off some top rate saves from both Spence and Beavon.

The Dons goal cam on the half hour mark and was pretty similar to the one Andy Sullivan scored last season against the Wallies, from a corner on the left side of the westbank Darren Dobinson hit an in swinging ball that bounce through the leg's of Danny Oakins in his usual position for corners and just as Strudley the Wallies keeper was about to claim it Danny flicked at the ball with the side of his heel and sent the ball high into the back corner, minutes later the Wallies could have leveled the score with Spence rounding Ross in goal, but was unable to get his shot in before the ball went over the line.

Come half time the HCAE had to be closed off, due to in be packed too the brim after the usual change of ends, the game started very much in the same way after ten minutes Sheerin was replaced by Coops up front and soon got into the action and was also providing so fine crosses into the box, it was mainly Strudley who had to pull off some excellent stops, this was all the more impressive as he was also constantly under the friendly verbal banter of the crowd be hind the goal, which to his credit he was taking in his stride and seem to be enjoying, he also has to be one of the best if not the best keeper we have faced in the last couple of seasons.

Wallingford started to take more control in the middle of the pitch and again their nippy forwards seem to be causing problems to our defenders and Ross Standen was being more to do than in any of his previous games for us put together including a superb one handed catch from a Wallies corner.

With more and more chances falling the Wallies, the tackles started to get stronger but fair from both teams, this added to the game more competitive, Gareth Graham came on for Seb Favarta on seventy seven minutes and could have score almost straight away when he took a freekick from just outside the box, but once again Strudley was on hand to tip the ball over the bar.

The Wallies scored their well deserved equalizing goal with ten minutes to go, again from a corner the ball came across a Wallies player made contact with the ball sending it looped over Ross Standen, where Ryan Gray cleared off the line, but the linesman had already indicated that the ball had cross.

With minutes left the Dons had a string of corners, the best chance too score a goal can when Matt Everard made contact with the ball send it inches past the the far post, so the first of the AFCW battles finished with honours even by the end, with one goal and point each, but the Wallies must have felt it was more like two points dropped, in their first match against us this season they had a real chance of clawing the gap back to just ten points.

Goal Scorer : Danny Oakins (32)

Goals Scored Against : (81)

Team : Ross Standen, Steve Gibson, Danny Oakins, Matt Everard, Darren Dobinson, Lee Sidwell, Gavin Bolger , Seb Favata, Ryan Gray, Paul Scott, Joe Sheerin

Subs Used : Kevin Cooper, Gareth Graham

Not used subs : Paul Quinn, Andy Sullivan, Jones Bamfo

Attendance : 2,949

Saturday 6th March 2004
AFC Wimbledon 5-1 Cobham

Three more points in the bag, but for the 1st fifteen minute's Cobham made a game of it and showed what it could have been like for the rest of the season without Matt Everard, the back four of Gibson, Quinn, Taylor and Oakins looked very unsure and Cobham where able to give Ross Standen in goal something to do, which he handled with ease.

The Dons where also testing Cobham, but not with the usual flowing moves that they had creating all season and the the winger's where unable to get any good crosses in, then it all changed when Lee Sidwell hit a low ball into the box, where Ryan Gray had run into the six yard box and was able to brake clear of his marker and slide the ball home too which Phillo played Hallelujah over the PA and the heavens opened up with rain then hail stones, this gave the pitch the watering it required for the Dons improve their passing and open Cobham up.

The second half started with the Dons again on the attack, but with three minutes gone Cobham silenced the crowd by scoring, then their no five had the cheek to gesture to the crowd in the hard-core athletics end, which he would here about for the rest of the game especially two minutes later when Scotty received the ball in the box, hit his shot against the post, which fell perfectly in the path of Coops on the opposite side of the goal to side foot in.

On sixty seven minutes Coops was also on hand to knock in the third, he wasn't having the best of games, but still managed to score two goals, with Wednesday big game against AFCW, Nick English took off Danny Oakins who had played despite the gash he had received against Chip's on Weds and on came Jamie Angell, George Snee made his debut replacing Paul Quinn and looked very impressive, Coops was also replaced with Jones Bamfo also making his debut for the first team and Cobham didn't know what hit them, he was turning them inside out and could have scored with his second touch.

Lee Sidwell score the Dons forth after Paul Scott had taken the ball pass three or four players too the bye line and dragged the ball back for Sidwell to knock in, them with five minutes left Jones Bamfo topped off an impressive debut, by laying on the fifth goal for Paul Scott, to which the HCAE asked the Cobhams no five what the score was.

Ryan Gray score a perfectly good goal after running in to connect with a Sidwell cross at the far post, but the linesman had judge it to be offside, we are now thirteen point clear of the AFC Wallingford and still have a game in hand, the next game is of course the big one against team at Kingsmeadow on Wednesday and will be our hardest league test of the season, we should be near full strength with Joe Sheerin hopefully fit and Bolger, Bassey and Matt Everard all back from suspension and with young players like Lewis Taylor, George Snee and Jones Bamfo adding too an already impressive squad the future looks good.

Goal Scorer : Ryan Gray (19), Kevin Cooper (50,67), Lee Sidwell (80), Paul Scott (85)

Goals Scored Against : Chis Stone (48)

Team : Ross Standen, Steve Gibson, Danny Oakins, Lewis Taylor, Paul Quinn,Lee Sidwell,Darren Dobinson , Seb Favata, Ryan Gray, Paul Scott, Kevin Cooper

Subs Used : George Snee, Jones Bamfo, Jamie Angell

Not used subs : Ray Merry, Andy Sullivan

Attendance : 2,501