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Dover Athletic 0-1 AFC Wimbledon - F.A Cup - 14/9/2004
WOMBLES WOMBLES EVERYWHERE
By John Moorhouse

The Wombles of Wimbledon, common were they. I mean no dis-respect in saying this, but this match didn’t necessarily live up to all the hype it’d had before the kick off. It was a game for scrappiness, a whistle-happy referee, and over-enthusiastic antics on the pitch.

Anyways, the initial feeling when I made my way into the ground was “Thank god we have the River End”. Looking over at the Port of Dover stand, our fanbase looked quite outnumbered, so we needed as much help as we could get to create a better atmosphere for the mighty DAFC.

Even before kick off, the Dons fans were chanting away merrily, as were the home fans too. The atmosphere at the Hoverspeed Stadium was electric (ok, maybe an over-statement, but those who know me would come to expect these comments by now).

The game kicked off, with Wimbledon immediately trying to attack the Dover goal. After a few minutes, some nifty work down the away side’s left flank saw the ball whipped low across the box, with the ball eventually falling to a Dons player just inside the box, and the lad tried a low drive to Hydey’s right, with the ball narrowly going wide of the post. A reasonable effort.

Several minutes later, the Dons made a breakthrough, which would unknowingly at the time, prove to be the only (allowed) goal of the game. Some rather hesitant marking by the Dover defence left a Dons player free after having run into some space. He kicked the ball across the goalmouth, and with Hyde beaten, and no chance to get to the ball away from the goal-line in time, the away side were in the lead. A sloppy goal to concede, even at our level.

A little while later, the home support finally got to see the Whites have an attacking opportunity. A throw-in on the left met the head of Wilkins. He flicked the ball on to Hickman, but the young lad was unable to make a clean contact with the ball, and so it was mopped up by the Wimbledon keeper.

It didn’t take long for the Dons to get back on the offensive again. An inswinging corner from their right saw the ball reach a group of heads, thusly flying high up into the air. But soon after falling to the ground, the referee blew for a foul against England’s Number 1, Hydey! Hydey! Hydey!

But that was really Paul’s last action of the game, as he soon went off, with what appeared to be either a knee or hamstring injury, being replaced by Pat Mullins.

The 2nd half was soon with us.

The dons again started with an offensive stance. Soon their front line was moving with pace, as the Whites’ defence tried their damndest to get back. The initial shot was merely parried by Mullins, and with the ball falling to the feet of another Dons player, he swept the ball into the net, only for the assistant to raise his flag to give offside.

Moments after, Dover had a freekick just outside the box. But it was a poor effort, with a right footed shot falling wide of the post.

But before the Whites could maintain any real pressure, again, Wimbledon were on the attack. Their number 9 made a hectic run forward to get to the ball before anyone else could, but fortunately controlled the ball with his hand, so the goal he scored didn’t count.

About 7/8 minutes after, James Rogers found some space to move forward with the ball. He attempted a long range effort with his usually elegant left foot, but couldn’t locate the goal, as the ball fell wide of the Wimbledon keeper’s right post.

Some good work by the away side soon saw some space down the left wing. The ball was passed to the edge of the box, to their number 11, who was, but shouldn’t have been, completely unmarked. But he was unable to get his strike on target, blazing it high.

And at the latter moments of the 2nd half, Dover finally got some attacking play going. Mullins came way, WAY out of his box, and launched a route-1 ball to substitute Chris Wright (who I think should have come on before Buster Smissen did). He connected his head to the ball, but was unable to get any real power on placement, with the Keeper easily gathering the ball.

Soon it was full-time. 1-0 to the Dons, in a game I didn’t expect us to win to be honest. I may usually be the optimist, but I just thought really they’d have a higher quality of squad than we do (god knows they can afford more than we can hehe). But there wasn’t much difference between the two teams on the day. Wimbledon were just slightly better than us, but took their chances (even if 2 of them were disallowed).

But it was a good game none-the-less, despite a lower home support than most people would hope for. Maybe 1 day the local community will pull their finger out for this club, and actually help us out of this recurring predicament of financial obstacles here, there, and everywhere.

I close by thanking everyone who did attend the game, and especially those who donated money (*** Gives myself a pat on the back***). I wish AFC Wimbledon all the best for the remainder of the season, and look forward to playing them next season (I hope!).

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